I signed up for NYCastings back in 2008. I stopped using the system when I realized there were…read morebetter platforms out there (ActorsAccess, Casting Networks, Mandy etc). Now a union member with representation, NYCastings does not serve me at all, but that's okay. I realize I am NOT the target demographic for NYCastings. The target demographic is nonunion, beginning actors, looking to do background or copy/credit/meals type projects. If you work for free or are a breathing mannequin, then you could still view this as a viable product for you, and that's okay.
My problem comes with how after de-activating my account nearly 8 years ago, I recently started received cleverly FOMO-inducing marketing emails reading "Dear Talent,
This is a quick notification that a Casting Director or Client of NYCastings.com has reviewed Your Profile while searching through our Talent Database.
Please login to update any Pictures, Resume Credits, Video or Audio if you think it's needed. We want you to get those Auditions!"
I started getting this email 2-3 times a DAY, and here I forgot I even had this account, having not logged in for 8 years!
I log back in, but I can't find a way to stop the messages, and my account is listed as inactive, so I can't even de-activate to stop the messages. I try to delete my account, and am told they have to be done manually over the phone. So far this week, I have called every afternoon, to always hit voicemail in the member services extension. Today, I tried reaching the technical support extension, still voicemail. FINALLY, I decided to call the casting director line, and was able to speak to a person!
I explained my issue to this man on the phone and he said I had to speak to technical support, I explain I have called a left several voicemails this week to which he says, "Well, I see all the voicemails and I don't see one from you, so I think you are lying to me. Sounds like you are lying." To which I responded "Wow, that's super rude," and he just laughed.
For a company that requires you to use phone support to use their system, you would think phone support would have some decorum?
He said he could not help me further and someone would call me back. Luckily, the technical support person, Mig, did call me back within minutes and was very helpful, but this process has taken far too long.
Save your $12/month, save your energy.
p.s. For comparison, ActorsAccess is $68/year (or $5.66/month), Casting Networks starts at $6/month and Mandy.com is FREE, Central Casting is FREE, Grant Wilfley is FREE, Playbill.com is FREE. Regardless of the tier you are working at, there are ways to be smart with your money in your career.