Ms Stephanie from the customer service team is excellent, in my 65years of life I have NEVER experienced the customer care I received. She made me feel like she really cared and was truly trying to solve the issue (which she did). I would have loved to have someone like her working at my business.
I was receiving daily email for roles for me, but they weren't. I sent an email to support and the rep asked me to send an email. So, I first decided to go to the selection area and found two filters that I had not built. I deleted them and set up mine and now I believe that I will receive the information I need to see.
I got confused over my subscription and thought I might have to cancel my profile on backstage. Ben Wasserman got back to me and explained exactly what I had signed up to, and assured me that I wouldnt be making any automated payments after my 6 month special offer subscription comes to an end. This was really helpful as I really like using backstage and want to keep my profile active for as long as I can!
I misunderstood their subscription policy, which ended up charging me more than I had hoped, however, this website is a great tool that's very convenient, and simple to use. Very recommended!
This is actually my second email disputing the practices of this company. Upon submitting hard earned money from my bank account to establish a profile for $19.99. I was shocked to see, after posting my creative information for casting, that there were additional charges in the amount of $34.95 just to post a job. An opportunity for aspiring actors. I disputed this.
Afterwards, I thought to disregard the first dispute. And post the job by forwarding my payment, drivers license, and bank information. (Because I have a deadline) Upon doing this. Backstage has decided TO NOT approve my status die to a demand for more identification. So basically, I've been screwed out of a total of $55.00. No casting posted. No feedback from the company.
I'm furious. And I promise to pursue legal actions against this company for it's fraudulent and discriminative practices against independent filmmakers. I'm requesting a full refund. I DO NOT HAVE 7 days to wait to film a production with a stiff deadline. Return my money please.
Hi Marcus, as we've notified you via email, a subscription is not required to post a job. Creators are required to pay one fee per post, rather than a subscription. While monthly subscriptions are nonrefundable, we went ahead and cancelled and refunded that subscription for you, per your request.
Our Casting Team reached out to you with our standard questionnaire and asked if you needed help with completing your background check which is required of all job posters on Backstage. However, due to your extreme reaction to this request and your repeated insistence for a refund and threats of filing grievances against our company, our Casting Team refunded your payment for the job and closed your account. We require all job posters to complete a background check and respond to all questions for a notice posted on Backstage to both ensure the safety of our users and to ensure that this is a legitimate production. They tried to reach you, but since you've opted out of emails through the platform the team sends out these emails, they are unable to respond to you.
We've refunded all charges for you. If you'd like to try using Backstage again in the future, please note that you are required to abide to our policies and protocols as all other job posters do on our platform. We wish you the best of luck with casting elsewhere.
We signed up with Backstage a while back and decided to post our first project on Backstage. What bothered us about the last step was asking for identification information (name, SSN, ID, etc) because this is the only website that required us to provide information before they could process to post our project. One of our teams provided information and then we received an email from Renata stating they had trouble running a background check which made us feel suspicious. We had to give EVERY details in the email to assure that 2BQPS in general is safe and legitimate. We were asked to re-upload VIA onfido. We went back on Backstage and logged back in and guess what? Our account got suspended right after they collected identification information. We contacted Renata in the same email we communicated with no response and then went on Backstage and used contact us and again with no response. This is definitely a red flag! We have no issue with other casting websites.
Hi there, thank you for sharing your feedback. Backstage requires all creators to go through a background check and full verification for the safety of our users. We always require that creators only upload/share personal information via a secure 3rd party platform which automatically deletes the files once your identity is verified. It looks like in your case, there was an issue with a different name on the ID that was submitted, as well as outstanding questions regarding the nudity requirement for your casting call. We're sorry to hear that it was an unpleasant experience for you, but it is important that we do not rush these processes, especially since the majority of our users are new to the industry and can be privy to scams. I'm seeing that your account has since been verified. We appreciate your feedback and hope you find success casting talent for your project on Backstage.
I've never really been on backstage.com before. So I opened up the chat box and I just ask for help with my location. Ben W. Was super nice and very helpful. 10/10 would do this again.
Hardly any real jobs, and if there are it's on average $100 a day. Not worth the subscription fees.
They also don't make it easy to cancel. You have to email them to do so.
Hello Marcus,
Thanks for providing your feedback on Backstage.com. At any given time Backstage hosts thousands of acting jobs across the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, and more (as of this writing we have 7033 roles posted, roughly 55% which are paid). All of these postings are vetted by our casting team, so you can be confident that they are legitimate opportunities.
We're sorry to hear you had trouble cancelling your subscription with us. In addition to sending us an email at customers@backstage.com you can also live chat with our customer service representatives Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm EST on our website, or you can call us at (917) 725-6367. To see all our contact options please check out our help center: https://backstage.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000425066-Backstage-Contact-Options. We process your cancellation based on the timestamp of your communication with us, so you don't have to worry about incurring your subscription fees after you request cancellation.
Recently, I quit getting posts from Backstage. Upon inquiring about not receiving those posts they were quick to point out that it was my error. I had inadvertently clicked spam on there last email.
Backstage is incredibly resourceful and helped me find the talent I needed for each project! I highly recommend using this site to assist with any casting needs!
Backstage is greatest platform I've ever used. Their very specific when you ask them a questions and I recommend them for anybody who need help finding auditions.
Used to be the IT newspaper back then... then technology hit online! BS Has really gone downhill... it's change of easy access to replies and self tapes etc, changed over night recently and befuddled me and as a more mature actor not raised on technology find it difficult to navigate and send in video reels and reply etc. now. Also they disregard your filter info... still getting casting notices that no way remotely apply to me... And in other states I don't have access to unless they provide the travel costs. Do like the National listing that include transportation. The magazine is boring and of no help to me. Big Yawn! Probably won't renew my subscription when it ends. Actors Access is the way to go and much less expensive... Backstage... you should list a customer service photo # instead of chat... Human to human is much more effective... like theater and you should know that! Get your act together to help more mature actors feel comfortable and operate with you data bank.
Thumbs Totally Down.
Hi Sandford,
We're happy to hear that you are one of our original customers from back when Backstage was only a trade newspaper in the 1960's. Like you, we've also had to adapt and expand our services to match our current times, which includes opening a new online platform which is the new standard for casting. We understand it's difficult to navigate a brand new platform and learn how to use all of the new features. In order to help those that are a little more technologically challenged, we created a thorough step by step guide in our Help Center that you are welcome to peruse here: https://backstage.zendesk.com/hc/en-us. Please note that we do in fact have a phone number where you can reach us, 917-725-6367. Since we are a small team and we handle a large volume of emails, live chats, and voicemail at the same time, we do not have a live call center. You can however, always request a phone call and provide a good time frame for when a representative can reach you, and we'd be happy to help! Please feel free to reach out to us directly via email at customers@backstage.com if you have any other questions. Thanks for providing your valuable feedback and remaining a loyal customer of Backstage for all of these years!
As an upcoming artist who has to work multiple jobs to keep up with basic needs, its too costly. Honestly wish it were free just because its a great resource!
It was helpful with Ben, I needed help reaching out to a show your company produced a few years ago... and he pointed me in the right direction for help
I really recommend this website, not only a great way to find gigs and opportunities within the film industry, but also their customer service is great, fair and helpful.
Thank you for your kind review, Jackeline! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions at customers@backstage.com! :)
I applied for a role, and YES they replied fast, but wanted me to pay $200 a month to go toward their show. That makes a lot of since right? Don't waste your money.
Hi Kylie,
Thanks for reaching out and bringing this to my attention. Backstage's platform serves as host to thousands of casting notices, which should only be dealing with the hiring of talent to work on the project. Any crowdfunding or pay-to-play scenarios are separate, and something that is not condoned by Backstage. Did you report this notice to us? If not, please contact our Customer Support team at customers@backstage.com and I will have it investigated immediately.
Best,
Francis
They don't deserve one star. This company scams people. I signed up for a profile and no subscription. My information and credit card was compromised and a subscription was made under my name. Backstage charged my card over $140 without letting me know. I contacted backstage for a refund and they didn't care. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!
Hi Sherry, we're sorry to hear that there was confusion around what Backstage is. Please note however, that we are not a scam - we've been in the business for over 50 years. Backstage is a subscription service, which means that our service auto renews until you cancel (much like a gym membership or a Netflix subscription). We send reminder emails for long term subscriptions to remind you of its renewal as well as provide a 10 grace period in which customers can contact us after the renewal has taken place for a full cancellation and refund. It sounds like you were not within this grace period. If you have further questions about our service and our Terms of Service, you are welcome to reach out to us directly at customers@backstage.com and we'd be happy to discuss this in further detail with you and help you make use of the remainder of your subscription.
Setup was simple, navigation was easy, magazines were a great read, plenty of adverts and great customer service (even when I decided to leave). No complaints!
The Backstage team is smart, caring and passionate about serving the entertainment community. They work to make the site easy and safe so we can pursue our dreams without reservation. Cheers
Stephanie's response to my question was prompt, clear, intelligent, and thorough. She completed my request quickly and explained everything along way. Thank you so much!
Overview
Backstage has a rating of 2.6 stars from 291 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers dissatisfied with Backstage most frequently mention credit card, free trial and last year. Backstage ranks 3rd among Talent Agency sites.
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Hi Ron, we're happy to hear that you were able to resolve the issue on your end. Please always feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or need further assistance!