Max Agency Arvostelua 7

My daughter was with them for just over 20 months, In that time she was submitted for projects 13 times! During this time, I myself was submitting her for work, which actually ended up with her becoming an ACTRA Apprentice. We spent over $600 on photos, which were average and another $400 on comp cards, which are not used anymore! In February this year we signed with a new agent, who is part of Tamac, and I honestly can't tell you how many times my daughter has been submitted because she is literally getting actual auditions weekly, at times it's multiple auditions a week. Not once in any audition have we been asked to provide comp cards. I have literally lost track of the amount of auditions we've had since February. The only thing I have paid out for is the casting sites, which is normal, and I just recently had her headshots redone as it's been a while, which were under $300!

I ended up here through an Instagram ad. After submitting my application, a friendly woman called to book an in-person appointment. During that call, I was invited to check their Instagram profile, which looked legitimate.

A week later, I went to the appointment and met with an older lady who introduced herself as my rep. We chatted for about 30 minutes, and I left hopeful — she said they’d review my profile and, if there were no more than two other people with my characteristics, I’d be contacted. Already in that meeting, they asked about my ability to pay for professional pictures and mentioned the costs, telling me the pictures would always be mine.
• Option A: $1,000 + tax with wardrobe, makeup, and printed materials.
• Option B: $600 + tax, bring my own clothes, fewer prints.

I leaned toward Option B, but was told the decision depended on whether I was “chosen.” I thought I might borrow money if selected.

The next day I received a contract and information about the exact prices and studio name, plus pressure to pick a date for the session. I agreed tentatively and asked for a few days to gather the $600 + tax. When I Googled the studio, I couldn’t find it on Maps — only an Instagram and Facebook page. That made me uneasy, but I convinced myself it was legit. Later I discovered the studio was actually a rental photo studio anyone could book, not an exclusive agency partnership.

I was told Toronto was the “hot spot” because of Netflix and that opportunities were everywhere, which pushed me to act fast. Still, when I emailed to delay, my rep suddenly offered a third package: $300 + tax for just headshots, no prints, 50 photos. Why wasn’t that option presented from the start?

While I was writing the e-transfer for the cheapest package, my gut told me to research again. I confirmed the studio was a rental space anyone could book and saw how the pressure tactics worked — the goal was to secure money quickly.

Finally, I asked around in the industry. Everyone I spoke to said legit agencies never charge talent upfront. And when I looked for media presence of the “big names” they claimed to represent, there was almost nothing.

At that point all alarms went off. I realized the entire setup relies on selling overpriced photo packages, not developing talent.

👉 My advice: Don’t give your money to this business. Invest in your rent, your education, your dreams — but not in a system that plays on hopes and pressures people with sliding fees and urgency tactics.

Everyone stay away from these sleezeballs!

Their customer service representative schedules an evaluation interview in Toronto for me.

Then, after sending numerous polite emails to Nika Mallard, she rejects my evaluation interview without telling me the actual reason.

Additionally, if you're too distant from an agency, normally they schedule a Zoom interview, instead she wanted me in person 12 hours and a half away.

Be careful with these so-called Toronto agencies.

They're all a bunch of thick-skulled, brainless, heartless, and careless scammers.

It is a scam. All negative reviews on Google Maps are true.

They don’t charge any entrance fees and even offer acting and casting training, all of which is paid for by the agency, which seemed like a huge plus. However, it turned out they planned to take money in another way offering you only their photographers - expensive and even more expensive ($600 and $1000 + taxes, respectively).

There are numerous reviews stating that they rarely call you for castings or auditions, and communication becomes very poor after they’ve taken your money.

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE! SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE REVIEWS. COMP CARDS ARENT EVEN ACCPETED BY CASTING AGENTS BUT YET ARE MANDATORY, AS A CASH GRAB. SAYS YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHERS BUT THATS A LIE BECAUSE THEY WONT ACCEPT THE PHOTOS, THEY FORCE YOU TO USE THIER FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHERS. RUDE STAFF, VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. DO NOT BRING YOUR KIDS HERE

OMG this is such a scam and a lie. I don't know how they are still in business but they are. Do not under any circumstances open your wallet on or near their "agency." I warned you.