Backstage
Reviews and Complaints

Backstage is the best! Their postings are so helpful and it is so easy to submit through their website. I have gotten many jobs through Backstage and am so grateful for the wonderful service you provide for actors and everyone in the entertainment industry. I also just had the pleasure of asking for help with something on your website and their support staff was so awesome and answered my question quickly and much more thoroughly than I expected. Thanks so much Backstage and keep doing what you're doing :)! !

Have renewed my subscription 02/2022 after having cancelled it at the beginning of the pandemic. As a SAG-AFTRA member I am given a discount and the staff of Backstage assisted me via their Chat option in order to apply it. They were knowledgeable, professional, efficient and pleasant to deal with. I feel these attributes are a VERY important aspect of any company I do business with. The product they offer happens to be invaluable to me as well: casting calls, production information, education, and general news of The Biz. Thank you, Clara, David L. And Backstage for continuing to provide actors a great product and great people to deal with.

I'm a member of every popular actors' website, but Backstage is by far my favorite. It's the easiest to navigate, and has the best resources for finding casting directors, agents, managers, and auditions. No other website I use has huge searchable lists of casting directors and agents with their contact information and current projects! Also the price is very reasonable, and it doesn't charge you every time to update your reel or photos (looking at you, Actors Access and LAcasting). Also when I have any questions the staff gets back to me super quickly and efficiently. I loved that the submission emails could be very specific searches too, so I would only get emails for parts I would actually submit to. Actors Access and LAcasting were sending me constant emails for unpaid music video background parts. Backstage is far superior and I always recommend it to my actor friends.

Most people when wanting a membership (any where), will not review the terms and conditions. I wanted to check the legitimacy of the site via forum as well as its source (terms and conditions). It states that there is a free trial (not a paid subscription until expiry/renewal) a monthly, a semi annually (6 month) and an annually (12 month sumbscription) which obviously are the paid subscriptions. All paid subscriptions are set to recurring, which means you will be billed the amount of the subscriptions including other additional membership fees, at the time and rate of the membership until cancellation by phone or email ( I recommend a phone call). None of the subscriptions are eligible for a refund except the annual subscriptions which has to be disputed with 5 days after the renewal date. The 5 day period is the eligibility for a full refund. Any dispute after is assumed a partial refund, but it cannot be past a 30 day period to receive a refund. With all that being said this is a legitimate company as far as legal terms are concerned, however I do not like the way they operate. There business practice derives from placing a false dream for entertainment purposes and recruite serious candidates just to provide them with less than they been promised, and then throw their contract in your face when you are unhappy with the results. To me it's disgusting and I don't support companies that can't even have decent customer service. In conclusion a little tip for everyone ( a lot of companies like this not all) will tell you that they cannot issue you a refund but they are a company, who if they get too many charge backs, (meaning when a dispute through your bank and receive the funds back through said bank) the monies are taken back from the business or merchant. This places a negative mark on their merchant account. If they get to many they can be shut down completely and have to start a new one with a different name and that's a lot of hassle and money and paper work. So you can simply state that you'll go through your bank, subsequently forcing them to is sue a refund to prevent a charge back.

Madelen Soto was interviewed and hired for a video shoot that took place on September 15th from 12:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. She was a no call no show which caused us a financial injury of several thousand dollars due to her not showing up to perform the role of the main character. She agreed to the position three (3) days in advance was provided directions and signed a copywrite waiver. At this time she was given Taz's phone numbers in the event she needed to call
Fast-forward to D-day. It has been thirty-five minutes, and our main model Madelen Soto has yet to arrive. Frustrated, I emailed her backstage because she never provided a direct contract number. Only to learn the model will not show up. We got ghosted.
After the first hour passed, we attempted to reach out to other models that we had considered for the role but to no avail. Exasperated, we let our creative team pack their bags and go home. Then we find ourselves contemplating the money and time we have drained down the table because one model, Madelen Soto that we trusted, did not respect their commitment.
No-shows are one of the worst things that can happen at a shoot. It was both financially and emotionally jarring for us to realize that we would not be able to complete the video project as planned because Madelen Soto was a no-call, no-show. Perhaps she does not realize her impact on the people who organized - and did attend - the shoot. Because Madelen Soto did not show up, it jeopardized the entire project. Indeed, creatives on set are co-dependent: a shoot cannot happen without team spirit, and no-shows can kill team dynamics.
Although models are usually trained to know they should always attend the jobs they sign up for if they care about their career and reputation, no-shows are still haunting the industry. I surmise that Backstage can reduce the probability of models nothing showing up, by having it indicated in their profiles or removing and banning them from their website. Backstage should consider a plan of action should it happen with listed models. We conclude that Madelen Soto
Lacks practical communication skills, which led to ruining our project
Has the inability to complete their assigned projects on time
Does not exhibit the skills required to be a Freelance Model due to her unprofessionalism and apathetic lack of communication
Has difficulty showing up on time
Has the inability to work collaboratively / not being a team player

We first confirmed the model was not running late. We email them as soon as the call time has passed.
Madelen Soto did not show up at all, therefore we sent this diplomatic, professional email after the shoot expressing our disappointment and detailing the negative impact this no-show has had on your team. This is inclusive of, it will cost us a few thousand to reschedule, and the hours and time we have spent organizing the shoot. We urge Madelen Soto to question their actions to help a future client prevent a no-show from this same model.
It is incredibly important to understand that unfavorable reviews are just as essential, if not even more so, as positive ones are.
These less-than-exciting reviews can act as immensely beneficial guides to Clients/employees with many weaknesses they need to improve on. Additionally, when given correctly, a poor performance review can lead to the building of new skills, higher productivity, career advancements, and even feelings of encouragement.
Thank you.
Sincerely Mr Sayless
TDOC Recordings
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I recently had a terrible experience with Backstage (backstage.com) and I feel compelled to share it with others. I signed up for a 2-month trial with the company and received confirmation of my cancellation after the trial period ended. However, several months later, I noticed that they had been taking money out of my account without my consent or authorization. I was shocked and appalled by this fraudulent activity.

I tried to contact Backstage via email, but they completely ignored my messages. It wasn't until my bank flagged the multiple payments that I realized what was happening. I went on the app and found that they had been taking payments without my confirmation or renewal. This is a clear violation of privacy laws and I am extremely disappointed in their behavior.

I have all the proof I need to show that I cancelled my subscription months before any renewal. I never wanted to subscribe, only to try the trial. Despite this, Backstage still proceeded to commit fraud and take my money without my permission.

I urge others to look at the real reviews of this scammer website on Trustpilot and to be cautious when dealing with them. I will be reporting this company to the authorities and I hope that they will return the money they have stolen from me.

Backstage is a website that offers casting opportunities for actors, but it's not the best option out there. The website layout is confusing and not user-friendly, which can make it difficult to navigate. The customer service is also subpar, with rude agents who don't seem to be able to help you with anything.

One of the biggest issues with Backstage is the spam emails you receive from "casting directors" in your inbox. These emails are often irrelevant and not worth your time. Additionally, many of the submissions you receive through Backstage are for National releases, which are extremely competitive and difficult to get an audition for.

If you do manage to narrow down your search to your local area, you'll find that most of the roles available are for gimmicky song and dance performances that are barely paid, if at all. This can be frustrating for actors who are looking for more serious and substantial roles.

Trying to cancel your subscription to Backstage can also be a nightmare. The method to cancel is unclear, and the customer service agents are unhelpful and rude. One agent named "Stephanie" was particularly unimpressive, copying and pasting full-length policy articles instead of actually helping me cancel my subscription.

Overall, I would recommend staying away from Backstage and instead using ActorsAccess or LA Casting. These websites offer better roles for actors and have more user-friendly interfaces. Don't waste your time and money on Backstage.

Me and my girl were in the Big Apple like 4 years ago. Her professor told her to check out backstage.com for auditions while we were there for the week. My girl used the site and then cancelled it that same month. We ain't been back to New York since and we ain't had no use for backstage.com. But, I ain't always on top of checking my credit card statements, ya know? Just recently, I found out that backstage.com has been charging me $149.95 every year for the past 3 years without my say-so, even though my girl cancelled it the same month she used it. Watch out, y'all! If backstage.com has your credit card number, they might keep using it without your permission. Don't make the same mistake we did. Don't cancel by phone... keep proof of your cancellation and make sure you keep an eye on your credit card statements. I bet we ain't the only ones who got hit by this at backstage.com!

Backstage ain't the best casting site out there, that's for sure. If you're an actor looking for legit projects, you're better off checking out Actor's Access or Casting Networks. These sites actually take the time to check who's posting before allowing them to go public. Plus, their customer service is top-notch.

But Backstage? They let anyone post, which means you're more likely to run into unprofessional experiences and interactions. And trust me, I'm not the only one who thinks this. I've talked to plenty of other actors who have way more experience than me, and they all agree that Backstage is a total waste of time.

It's a shame, really. Back in the day, I hear it used to be a decent site. But now, it's just associated with non-professional postings and roles. And don't even get me started on their automatic enrollment. It's like a really bad gym membership that you can't get out of. Actor's Access, on the other hand, doesn't charge you after each year. They'll just contact you to let you know your year is ending and see if you want to renew.

So yeah, if you're looking for the same postings and better, skip Backstage and head over to Actor's Access or Casting Networks. Trust me, your time and money will be better spent elsewhere.

We decided to give Backstage a try and posted our first project on their website. However, we were taken aback when we were asked to provide identification information such as our name, social security number, and ID. This was the only website that required us to provide such information before we could post our project. One of our team members provided the information, but we soon received an email from Renata stating that they had trouble running a background check. This made us feel suspicious and uneasy.

To ensure that our company, 2BQPS, was safe and legitimate, we had to provide every detail in the email. We were asked to re-upload VIA onfido, which we did promptly. However, when we logged back in to Backstage, we found that our account had been suspended right after we had provided our identification information. This was a major red flag for us.

We tried to contact Renata through the same email we had communicated with before, but we received no response. We also used the "contact us" feature on Backstage, but again, we received no response. This lack of communication was frustrating and made us question the legitimacy of Backstage.

We have had no issues with other casting websites, and we believe that Backstage needs to improve its communication and transparency with its users. The requirement to provide identification information before posting a project is also concerning and may deter potential users from using the website. Overall, we were disappointed with our experience with Backstage and would not recommend it to others.

I've been using Backstage (backstage.com) for years as an actor in theater, film, and TV. It's been a great resource for me to find auditions and connect with industry professionals. However, this year has been a bit of a disappointment for me. The website has been flooded with casting calls that I believe are insulting to serious actors like myself.

There are a lot of "UGC" (user-generated content) casting calls, as well as calls for "influencer types" for TikTok. These types of roles are practically spamming the website now, and there's no easy way to filter them out. I find these casting calls to be disgusting because they're a form of cheap labor. People film themselves for these "roles" and only get paid $150, which is on the low end compared to other more professional projects.

I know I'm not alone in feeling this way. I've talked to other actors who have messaged customer service to complain about these casting calls, but they're not helpful at all. It's like talking to a robot. In my opinion, these types of casting calls have ruined the website. I can't believe there isn't an option to never receive notifications or even see these types of casting calls.

If Backstage doesn't solve this issue, I don't think I'll renew my membership. It's just not worth it to sift through all the spam to find legitimate auditions. I hope they listen to their users and make some changes soon.

Backstage used to be the go-to newspaper for actors, but since technology took over, it has gone downhill. The recent change to easy access for replies and self tapes has left me befuddled. As a more mature actor who wasn't raised on technology, I find it difficult to navigate and send in video reels and replies. To make matters worse, they disregard my filter info, and I still receive casting notices that have no remote connection to me. Some of these notices are even in other states that I don't have access to unless they provide travel costs. However, I do appreciate the national listing that includes transportation.

The magazine is boring and of no help to me. It's a big yawn! I probably won't renew my subscription when it ends. Actors Access is the way to go, and it's much less expensive. Backstage, you should list a customer service phone number instead of chat. Human to human is much more effective, just like in theater. You should know that! Get your act together to help more mature actors feel comfortable and operate with your data bank.

Overall, I give Backstage a thumbs totally down. It's a shame that it used to be the IT newspaper for actors, but now it's just not cutting it.

I gotta say, I'm pretty ticked off about my experience with Backstage. This is actually my second time reaching out to complain about them. I mean, I forked over my hard-earned cash - $19.99, to be exact - to set up a profile on their site. And then, when I went to post a job for aspiring actors, I found out there were extra charges of $34.95 just to do that. What the heck, man?

So, I disputed the charges, obviously. But then I thought, you know what, I really need to get this job posted ASAP. So I went ahead and sent in my payment, driver's license, and bank info. And what do you know? Backstage decided they needed even MORE identification from me before they could approve my status. So now I'm out a total of $55.00, with no casting posted and no feedback from the company.

I'm beyond furious at this point. I mean, seriously, what kind of shady, discriminatory practices are they running over there? I'm not gonna take this lying down, though. I'm gonna pursue legal action against them for their fraudulent behavior towards independent filmmakers like myself. And I want my money back, ASAP. I don't have time to wait around for 7 days - I've got a production to film, and I need that cash back in my account, like, yesterday.

Backstage used to be the go-to place for all things acting, but now it's a bit of a mixed bag. You can find some good stuff on there, but you have to wade through a lot of junk to get to it.

The daily newsletter is a prime example of this. It's full of listings for unpaid and background roles, which is fine if that's what you're looking for. But the problem is that the site designers don't provide enough information in those listings. They don't tell you where the role is located, whether it's a paid gig, or what union affiliation it has. So you could end up clicking on a listing that sounds great, only to find out that it's on the other side of the country and you won't get paid.

It's frustrating, to say the least. You'd think it wouldn't be that hard to include a few extra details in the listings. Just put a little "NY" or "LA" or "Chi" or "Atl" next to the location, and a "U" or "non-U" next to the union status. And for the love of all that is holy, tell us whether it's a paid role or not!

Despite these shortcomings, Backstage does have some redeeming qualities. One of the best things about it is the online profile feature. You can create a profile that functions almost like a personal website, complete with your resume, headshots, and video and audio clips. This can be a great way to showcase your talents and get noticed by casting directors.

Overall, I'd say that Backstage is still worth checking out if you're an actor or performer. Just be prepared to sift through a lot of junk to find the good stuff. And don't get your hopes up too high when you see a promising listing – it might not be what it seems.

Watch out when you give your credit card deets to this website. They'll keep charging you more and more for renewals. Their refund policy is a real doozy, too. By the time you see the charge on your statement, it's too late to ask for a refund. They'll hit you with a full year's charge of $165, and they're counting on that to keep their pockets lined. It's a real shame that they're taking advantage of struggling artists like this.

Now, let's talk about the website itself. The design is pretty slick, but the navigation is all kinds of messed up. Every time you apply for a role, you gotta start from scratch with the filters. It's like they don't want you to apply for multiple roles or something. Once you apply for one, it's like you're checking out of a store or something. You gotta go back to the search function, enter all the filters again, and then scroll through all the pages to get back to where you were.

Most of the ads on here are for student productions, so don't expect too much professionalism. You'll be lucky to find a real role for a real production. It seems like this website is just for productions that can't get actual talent and are looking for free labor.

I received a curt un qualified email stating that Backstage were banning me . I am VERY upset about this as I do my best to care about the people I choose to work with . The lack of engagement with myself in attempting to resolve this situ smacks of bureaucratic anonymousness that large organisations resort to when they really do not actually CARE at all ...

I have signed up for an annual subscription and these people from Backstage promised I'll get charged only once but that was a lie! Next month they charged me again and later the same thing happened. I contacted their terrible customer service and they refused to refund my money. They were extremely rude and unprofessional! I asked them to cancel my subscription and they said that was not possible - one I subscribed I can't cancel my account! Are you kidding me? I call the police and we shut down your scam organization! Total scam!

I have subscribed for the services of www.backstage.com. I have pressed the button “subscribe” and provided my contact details. After that this company charged me and didn’t send me any info about subscription. I didn’t get any help, news or anything else. When I tried to reach someone from this site, they avoided me and haven’t responded. It is scam, so better don’t pay them.