Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:39
Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 December 2010 16:11
I recommended avoiding IMO Talent Agency because they're founded upon
scheming corruption and selfish lies, but are there any good talent
agencies for us foreigners here in Tokyo? I compiled a brief list:
Zenith, Inc.
While at an IMO job, I met a fellow American that pointed me in the
right direction by
referring me to Zenith. Zenith is the opposite
of IMO―they asked for my bank information when registering (a good sign
they intend to pay), they paid me exactly 1 month after the job, and
they're friendly and pleasant to work with.
Avocado
I haven't registered with Avocado, so I don't have personal experience
with them. However, I've heard from others that they're
professionally-run and respectable.
DAG Music
DAG Music is a talent agency primarily for musicians. I am
finishing the registration process with them (I have to record my demo
medley), so unfortunately I haven't done any jobs for them yet.
Nevertheless, like the others, I was referred to them on the advice of
fellow foreigners.
Ask others about the above agencies, and you'll probably hear good
things. Ask others about IMO, and you'll probably get punched in
the nuts / uterus. Best of luck to you, fellow foreigner!
UPDATE
Thanks to a very kind reader, here are some more respectable talent
agencies:
Thanks for the heads up. I've actually been treated the same way by IMO as you've described in your previous article. In my case, it's been five months without pay for an extra role in September. My girlfriend's actually angrier about it than I am, but either way, I'll almost certainly head to the LD sooner than later. Does anyone there speak English?
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
March 02, 2010
I used Japanese when I went there, but the guy I spoke with tried his broken English with me. The first thing he's going to ask you is if you've complained to them about the money. If so, how and when. It will help to document dates and actions you've taken so far. Note phone calls, names, etc.
+0
... written by R. Zane,
March 02, 2010
I could probably compile a rough timeline based on online conversation logs with the missus, emails, etc. As for names, several of their regular office workers are actually listed on their site as models, so that shouldn't be a problem.
It just seems so unnecessary because in my case, this has been my only job with them, and it's not even ¥13000 at stake. Why would they not want to pay me?
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
March 02, 2010
I agree that it's a lot to go through for chump change, but in my case it was more about putting an end to their corrupt business practices than getting the money. Keep in mind they may offer you more (unpaid) jobs as you wait for your money.
Complain to the LD knowing that you're preventing others from getting taken advantage of.
+0
... written by R. Zane,
March 03, 2010
The funny thing is, the usual worker told me the last time that he would call me next week in regards to a job. I hadn't given him my name. There's no way he would know it.
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
March 03, 2010
LOL! Yeah, that sounds like IMO.
+0
... written by Rima,
November 30, 2010
thank you for the information, but i was wondering, can you sign in all of these agencies in the same time?
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
November 30, 2010
Yes, you usually can. The only possible exception would be if the agency is sponsoring your visa.
+0
... written by Rima,
November 30, 2010
thank you David , you really saved me cos i was going to apply for the IMO
I'm sorry, but I don't. Generally speaking, look out for 2 things when registering with a talent agency: * Do they explain how you'll be paid and ask for your payment information up front? Be wary of those that don't. They might not pay you! * Do they provide specifics about the job--like how much it pays, or about how long you'll be there?
You could also register with them and (hopefully) meet others at your first job. Ask them what they think of the agency. I heard terrible things at my very first IMO job.
+0
... written by Adi,
December 24, 2010
Thanks Mondaiji
IGREK they`ve sent me emails with jobs audition, but no details about the payment or how long i`ll be there . They`ve only said go at that train station and that`s all.
When i was to their office , an IGREK employee told me little about how i will be paid. He said that the company`s comission will be 10% from the total amount of money i receive. However , no topic about payment information, like my bank account etc..
It smells like an Inagawa clone ...
What do you think ?
Thanks
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
December 24, 2010
Yeah, that sounds a bit shady. IMO was like that. Did they say how much the job pays? If not, you should ask. Then you'll get an idea of how they run their business.
It didn't take me long to learn that IMO is bunch of scumbags. If you get that scumbag feeling from IGREK, then protect yourself. Find another option, or keep the local Labor Department info handy.
+0
... written by Adi,
December 24, 2010
They didn`t say nothing about the job payment. I`ll ask them.
Sorry for my english ...
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
December 24, 2010
How they answer you will tell you a lot about them. Zenith is the best I've ever worked with and they asked for my payment info at the registration.
+0
... written by Adi,
December 24, 2010
Now they`re sending me to a studio in Kobe for a shooting session for my profile,composition.
strange i say ,..
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
December 25, 2010
That's weird. I hope you don't have to pay them for that.
+0
... written by Adi,
December 27, 2010
No, i didn`t pay them for that.
I asked them about the money , and they are avoiding the questions.
+0
... written by Adi,
December 27, 2010
A message came , today, they`ll pay me 20.000 ¥ /day . Payment next month
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
December 27, 2010
I hope they do! Please let us know how it turns out.
+0
... written by Adi,
April 16, 2011
Hy guys,
Sorry for my late reply.
It turned out to be a good agency this Igrek. They have paid me. Its a good talent agency after all.
Thanks for helping me.
+0
... written by Alistair,
September 05, 2011
Glad I found this thread, very interesting. I am hoping to break into entertaining as a balloon twister. Any idea which would be the most likely agency to find work for me? I guess it's a bit 'out there' but it would really help. In the meantime I'll look at the websites of the good agencies you have listed. Thanks for all your effort.
+0
... written by Ace,
November 08, 2011
sorry if this is random, but what is "LD". I am having problems with a client (unrelated to any of these agencies), and was curious about my options.
+0
... written by Mondaiji,
November 08, 2011
LD = labor department. Please see my article on Inagawa Motoko for more info.
+0
... written by Liz,
February 28, 2012
I wont be headed over to japan for another year or so but i am heading in the professional dancing buisness. What are the main music labels over in Japan? Im applying for some korean agencies that would have me as a transfer in japan or have me in South Korea, but i would like to start in japan and work up from there.
I just need a good starting ground of the different agencies i may join.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
