Max Agency Anmeldelser 

My daughter was represented by MAX Agency for over a year, and during that entire time she was only submitted for two castings.

Before the second opportunity, I informed the agency well in advance that we would be unavailable for about a month because I was about to give birth. Despite being aware of this, they contacted me on the very day I was in labor, requesting that my daughter submit a self-tape. As anyone can imagine, I was not checking my phone while giving birth and didn’t see the message until several days later.

Instead of showing understanding for a situation they had already been informed about, I received an automated email terminating our contract, claiming that we had failed to respond and meet their policies. I found this response completely unreasonable and lacking any empathy.

Beyond the fact that my daughter only received two casting opportunities in more than a year, what disappointed me the most was the lack of communication, compassion, and professionalism. Families deserve to be treated with respect, especially during major life events. Based on our experience, I cannot recommend MAX Agency.

Lots of bad reviews
Little information: the company barely manages their social media
You haven’t started the job, but you already need to pay
It all started when I submitted my application to the Talent Agency, and surprisingly, they responded very quickly and invited me for an interview.

It was immediately stated that 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 my money in another way.

According to them, the standard commission is: 20% for commercial photoshoots, 15% for acting.

The office looked very poor, like some shady offices from my childhood where not-so-honest business was conducted.

I filled out a questionnaire with typical questions about height, weight, measurements, previous experience with agencies, etc. Special skills, tattoos, piercings, availability, etc. were also asked.
All this was discussed with an "agent" who simultaneously explained how long they’ve been in the market, listing several well-known companies like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, etc., with which they supposedly collaborate.
To have the honor of working with this agency, you needed to have a portfolio (which is logical), but they only offered two of their photographers: expensive and even more expensive ($600 and $1000 + taxes, respectively).
According to reviews from Google Maps by other victims, after the $1k portfolio, you also have to pay for composite cards for $400 (which, of course, is not mentioned initially).

Additionally, you have to attend courses they supposedly cover, and if you miss a class without 48 hours' notice, there's a $75 fee.

Everyone is very sweet, showering you with compliments, promising a big and prosperous future. They briefly show you a job board that supposedly only they have access to (the same victims say that for $30, you can access the same job board independently as an actor/model).

Before they take your money, you’re gorgeous, destined for great things, and they see potential in you. Afterward, you’re worthless, a pain in the neck, and they’ll avoid you at all costs.

For some reason, I believed all of this and handed over the agreed sum for the portfolio they promised to make for me (for a little over 1k Canadian dollars, they promised me 200 digital photos, 8 best-printed photos for the portfolio, the photographer, makeup, and stylist). However, I was told to bring my favorite pair of jeans and heels.

When I finally realized this was a scam and looked like fraud, no one wanted to communicate with me.

It was hard to get through; agents didn’t work on Monday for some reason (although the agency itself was open). he receptionist brazenly lied, saying that no one was at their desks, but it turned out everyone was working from 11 AM and busy handling new clients, so they had no time for me.

The receipt for the photoshoot payment stated that I had 10 days to request a refund, which I did. However, it was difficult to get my money back, as they were very reluctant to meet with me or talk.

The contract itself was of very poor quality in terms of formatting, as if it had been hastily put together, and I think this is something I should have paid attention to, but I ignored it.

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.

Advice:

Always do your research and try to find as much information as possible about the company.
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Reddit is a good place to find information on almost any questionable company and the unfortunate experiences of others. I was less lucky since there were few threads about this agency, and those that did exist were full of fake, glowing reviews. It’s best to check multiple sources.
If you’re required to pay someone before you start working, it’s a scam.
Always read the contract. Clarify any unclear points and get as much written confirmation as possible because it’s very hard to prove anything that’s only been said verbally.

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.