So nice and friendly. I called the toll free number to get access to my W-2. Frank was so nice and patient with me through the process of signing up. There was about a 7 minute wait to speak with a live person, but overall, the experience was painless. The trick is to remember that no matter how pissed off you might be that your W-2 never came, the person on the phone with you has the power to make it right as long as you are chill and don't take it out on them. Thanks, Frank! read more

Security to log in is so good it keeps the customers out. Multi factor authentication, change password a lot. Can't use last 20 passwords. What's the point of the multi factor authentication if you're gonna have customers constantly changing passwords? A product is absolutely no good if the customer can't use it. STOP making it difficult for customers to log in!!! It's counter productive. read more

Have you ever used your product? Navigated through the website? Especially doing a time card. JUST HORRIBLE!!! This needs to be updated and user friendly. Baffling! read more

Expletive!!! Entertainment Partners! I've tried to treat this horrible company with respect and trust like I can with Cast and Crew payroll, but EP doesn't deserve trust nor respect. I've given my SS # and banking information to EP because they are a payroll company. *HERE'S THE KICKER* Any troubleshooting happens with a call center in INDIA! I'm giving my SS# And my banking information to someone in India who can't be understood because of their heavy accent. It's been weeks with three calls, and the problem still isn't solved. I feel like an idiot giving my SS# and Banking Information to some foreigner making a percentage of what I've fought for as a union employee here in the United States..Expletive Expletive and Expletive Entertainment Partners to H E double Hockey Sticks. I'm going to go to my bank and change my account #'s and passwords because my information feels vulnerable!! FFS read more

I haven't had to call this company too often which is a good thing but in the past when I've had to, I had no issue or long wait, and everything was able to be resolved within a timely matter. However more recently, this phone system is certainly not what I remember. I get through almost immediately with someone who I give my name and case # (if applicable) to, only to let me know they are connecting me to SOMEONE ELSE in 'Support' where I am 30th in line, if I'm lucky. What the HELL is the point of this initial operator who can't do anything except pass you on? I waste my time repeating myself to the 2nd person in 'support' who may (or may not) be able to help me, so I don't get it. Then yesterday, after about 58 minutes on hold, I had the most incompetent woman. She pretty much repeated everything I was told on my previous call 2 weeks ago, so I wonder if they have notes in their system and she was just reading them off? I was ready to pull my hair out. I can't believe I had to wait nearly an hour for this thing to only put me on hold to talk to her supervisor, then read off some other nonsense that I already was aware of. Also, do your best NOT to get disconnected. I have been twice; once was probably on me since I was driving and in some areas with terrible service, but another time, I was sitting in one darn spot and it just had a rapid busy signal, which I knew meant that I had to call back. I don't know if there is an easier way to go about this. Even more frustrating? I'm calling because I believe I was OVERPAID, not the opposite which is what I would think most would call for. And yet they are sitting on their asses not getting back to someone who is possibly saving them money?? Frustrating AF. ONE highlight: Danielle has been the most helpful; I was fortunate to get her twice and I'm so lucky I did. She was the one who finally resolved my issue. I notice if you call earlier (around 3p), the wait was much shorter (10 calls ahead of me this time) but I know this can vary day to day. The downfall is you can't pick who your operator is going to be... read more

I have to write this review because I am stuck having to deal with EP and their horrible customer service. I've had to contact them at least 4 times in the past 6 months because their system logs me out and changes my password on me. In order to get into the system to approve my payments I have to then change my password. But the password link doesn't email a link to reset my password, so I have to call EP. If I can find the number to talk to a real person but the alternative is taking 2-3 times as long texting someone who keeps forgetting what they're helping you with. When I finally talk to a tech specialist it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to get them to send me a stupid email no matter how many times I've called and tried different ways to speed up the process, it seems like their system is designed to not help when you call and just frustrate you so you give up. But you can't give up because then you won't get paid. What takes up the time is first they ask for all your intimate details including full social security number. Every single time you call. And they make sure to go slow as they're typing and verifying your information sitting in front of them. That takes about 15 mns. Then they ask what's wrong and usually ask me to repeat myself multiple times, and ask me the most simplistic questions like if I pushed the password reset link to which then I respond yes, like always. Then they try and transfer me to central casting which has nothing to do with the glitch in their system by playing a game called "what website did you log into?" This game is designed to make you believe that hanging up and calling central will solve your problem . If I allow that to happen it's another 30 mns to an hour calling central only for them to transfer me back to EP tech and give my info all over again etc. Yes, I've done that. (And now I spend at least 5-10 mns convincing them not to transfer me elsewhere but to handle it themselves) So now if I convince them it's their system and that they (the tech department) needs to fix the glitch in their side, I may convince them to send me an email and my password is reset. This is also after repeating my email slowly a few times, and a lot more repetitive questions. A few times I think even that didn't work and so I had to convince the person to try something else and not just send me off to someone else so I could start the whole thing again. They don't seem to write any notes to speed up the process next time nor have they fixed the issue after they said they had. If I'm dealing with this, I'm sure more people are. It is super frustrating to spend 1.5+ hours on the phone every month or so dealing with the same issue and having your payments rely on the issue being fixed. I finally convinced the last person to let me speak to his supervisor so I could let them know there's a glitch but he too wanted me to give all my information again and spend another 30 mns at least with him after I spent 1.5 hours trying to convince the tech department to send me a password reset link and fix their glitch. This was while I was at work and was being threatened with non payment if I couldn't get into their system and approve my payment. I didn't have any more time to spend so unfortunately I have to post here. I know many great people who work with EP, but what we're having to deal with is really unprofessional. They're supposed to be making payments easier but companies like Central etc need to know what's happening on our end and that they're actually making our lives more stressful and difficult. read more

update: after discussing and asking why there is so much delay for unclaimed property less than $200, the company drags this out and tells me: "hopefully by this week". look at the email: this whole ordeal dragged for months almost a year for less than $200..... what a bad payroll company!!! stay clear of the entertainment business!!! read more

Entertainment Partners - Payroll Services Near Me - Burbank, California

This Industry payroll company is super out of touch, trying to get my W2's using their "super convenient" online portal, that doesn't work well on macs, the industry standard. It shouldn't take two websites, two sets of passwords, a specific browser (chrome) and PHD to to download a PDF, thats not even labeled the same as the document on webpage. Terrible user interface, thoughtless design. After spending 1hour 45 minutes on the phone I had them reinstate my paper W2's. read more

Entertainment Partners - Payroll Services Near Me - Burbank, California

Their website lists incorrect hours, no contact info, no address. I have been chasing payment for weeks and no one communicates internally. They told a production that my client's check would be ready for physical pickup yesterday and when I arrived to pick it up myself, the payroll office had been closed for 30 minutes. It took security and the front desk 30 more minutes to tell me that the production's paymaster would come down to 'try to get to the bottom of the miscommunication.' What a JOKE for a payroll company responsible for the livelihoods of thousands of Angelenos. read more

I have been dealing with the worst payroll company in my 55 years as an actor.I have spent over 6 hours on the phone and have sent a dozen emails.No payment in a month I will never ever use them again Non Entertainment should be their real name read more

Keep an eye on EP. They like to mess with your taxes. I've claimed 0 my whole life. They have an exempt checkmark that you have to UNCLICK. Who clicks things for you already?? It's easy to miss. If you don't they will not honor the 0 you claimed and you will have a fat tax bill at the end of the year. My checks always varied due to overtime and travel, so I missed it. But I also didn't think I had to become an accountant on top of my other jobs. AND even when you catch all of that they don't send the right amount to Federal or State. Your return will be minimal. I miss the days when you claimed 0 and everything was done correctly. With EP you need to look over your shoulder. read more

Update: So things are getting better. Finally got through after numerous attempts to learn that there are very specific processes to get certain things done including a portal you gain access to to help get access and process certain requests. would've been good to know a year ago but whatever the case now things are true up and working (or seem to be working) well. much more responsive lately too since pre and the early days of covid. read more

I work for Central Casting and EP is where our checks come. Anytime I have payroll questions they are very helpful and take care that you understand what they said.. And they are honest too. A couple of years back there were checks not cashed whether they were stolen in the mail (alot of problems with mail theft then) either way they found 260.00 in un cashed checks and sent me the money.. read more

A horrible experience using clients to beta test some of the worst coding I've ever experienced. The system does not work on browsers with SmartTime. Genious coding. We've added many 10ths and now hours to our timecards due to the horrible design, hurdles and layout of this system. So it's now more costly to use EP than it could ever be worth. Good thing they don't charge for their services. Wait... they actually charge for this? If they can't make a site that works are we supposed to trust them with our ID/financial vitals? No...f-ing...way. Untrustworthy with me and my crews info. Please hire decent UX folks next time EP. But gosh... they have a store on the site. Very wrong priorities EP. Go back to being in sales rather than trying to run payroll services. Epic fail EP. Good luck on finding that next job as you've all failed at this one. read more

This company is a puppet for production companies. They have no way to help unpaid background actors. When one CHATS or CALLS, there's a person, in a foreign country, who has no clue and offers no solution, nor results, only scripted responses. I sent all documentation to prove I worked on that day for that production, yet no results. Further, productions always stress how background actors are to behave "professionally" on set, some productions do not exhibit any "professionalism," in the way background actors are treated, and not paid. Do not sign up with Central Casting and suffer the incompetence offered by productions. read more

Imagine that you have been bitten by a rattlesnake, and some "Snake-Oil" huckster has the only cure. This is Entertainment Partners. They are the "Snake-Oil" huckster that has the "Cure". EP purchased the once visionary software company (Movie Magic) that created two software products under the titles - Movie Magic Scheduling, and Movie Magic Budgeting. These were complex extensions of Microsoft Excel, but they have never been matched. When EP bought out the software they DID improve upon it - making it more capable and more friendly. But those of us who were devoted to the Movie Magic products felt a little like we married the woman that we loved and then 5 years later we woke up with another, younger, sexier woman - but not the woman that we loved. Ever since, EP has been diligently trying to make up for this indiscretion. They respect any former purchases and will upgrade from even the earliest MM version of the software for free or cheap. The EP help desk is friendly and helpful. Still - our old MM software is worthless without the EP upgrades. And those upgrades are not cheap. So what EP has recently done is to retroactively rename the software back to Movie Magic. So now we have our former spouses back - but they are "Stepford-Spouses." They look the part - but they are a little soulless. But who needs a soul - when you have to schedule a movie. Like I said earlier - if you need the serum to save you from the snake bite - then this is the only real place to get it. And they know it. Both programs fresh and new cost upwards of a grand. But if you have an old MM version and you play your hand well - you can get both for under 200. That said - I cannot do my job without the EP/Movie Magic software. The best deal is - If you are upgrading you can get it at a substantial discount. And if you are a student you can upgrade for a mere $99 each. This makes it one of the best deals in the business. Everyone in the industry should have this company's software. Thus, I endorse this particular "Snake-Oil" with all of my spit and vinegar. read more

Sent a nonunion check to union person Demands you call between "3 and 5 between 3 and 5 line goes dead. Gooing to better business Bureau for false advertising. read more

I'm not sure what's going on with this company but they have horrible customer service. It's an endless cycle of pain dealing with them. Plan on spending at least an hour on hold every time you call this company to get paid for work that you completed months ago. Expect to have smoke blown up your a$$ the entire time. I've literally spent at least 15 hours of my life either waiting on hold, documenting in emails, explaining on the phone the situation. THE WORST EXPERIENCE read more

I was hired as a background extra and was told I would be paid for smoking cigarettes on set. They didn't pay me and when asked to handle it, EP told me the production company said there was no extra pay bump for smoking. I couldn't get any information to contact production and EP just dropped it from there. This is no way to treat background extras who barely get paid for the work anyway! read more

Hire me but don't be cheap! ESPECIALLY during a pandemic! Taking that test and respect the fact that some people want to refuse that falsination/vacation And I'll come back! I know everyone here can do WAY better read more

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An absolute embarrassment. It has been 3 months since I've been paid and they still can't get the amount right. I still have to call them and jump through hoops just to be paid. This is the third time I'm filling out the same form because they're apparently so incompetent and disorganized that they can't keep track of their files. What a shameful business. read more

Here's the irony of Entertainment Partners and I think a good indicator for those thinking of working with them. My production company has never used a payroll service, but with the recent changes in CA regarding AB5 we determined it was time to use a payroll company. We are very familiar with EP, especially because EP hired my company to make their explainer videos. In all of their videos they claim to work with any size production, and any type of production. But after a brief phone call they basically said we are too small to bother with and we should look elsewhere for our payroll needs. Knowing this company and working with them I was shocked to be treated so poorly. I don't look down on people who may not be able to afford our services and try to work with everyone. Shame on EP. Oh, and while I'm at it. Update your software! It hasn't beEn updated since 1996! read more

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS DONT MAIL THE CHECK AND YOU STILL MAIL THE CHECK! The incompetence of you guys is mind blowing!! I'm sitting waiting over an hour on a fucking re print that you guys fucked up ! How does it take so long to print something you've already printed! USE CAPS PAYROLL. They are much better read more

Great business great people the best business in the world Thank You!!! what a beautiful business you run!... thank you for and from all of us!... Brooklyn 99 regulars love you so much!... see you hopefully on For All Mankind n Mr. Mayor n Grand Crew n the Rookie soon!.. thank you so much for giving me a life worth living we need a central Casting team in the Prime Time Softball League!.. Brooklyn 99 2018 undefeated champs 4ever!... we would of won 2019 also but congrats to American Dad. They deserve it!... they're so cool. Castle had too many non business players!... what a great league!.. the stunt guys that started it are so so cool!... thank you for the hookups!... I Love this business so much!... thank you so much!... all of you!.. I know I'm not the easiest to get along with but I am one of the best at what I do!... Thank You so much!... we the people for the people of the people All Men Women children n things!.. #MeToo!.. movement Amen thanks n I'm sorry I've been many times difficult. I love the people n magical love of this business!... thank you read more

The payroll department is terrible. I've never had a pleasant experience with them, even after their move. They never answer the phone, their employees are rude and unknowledgeable, and nothing is ready when it's supposed to be. read more

The absolute worst regarding phone etiquette and helpfulness. It was my first time picking up paychecks for my team and I had a few questions; I called three times and on the third call was finally greeted with nothing but curtness (and none of my questions were answered). I couldn't get a word in edgewise. How difficult is it to do your job and be halfway decent on the phone? read more

Very unprofessional business model. Training is horrible, always a 30+ minute wait for support. I'm actively looking for other options. They tried to make things better, so the next interaction was much better, not great but no longer worthy of a 1 star read more

I tried to call to verify that my checks were available for pick up, but was not sure about what information I needed to provide to find that out. I was treated as if I was attempting to scam them, after which they hung up on me and put me on hold upon subsequent attempts to speak to someone for a legit amount of time. Honestly, I was crying by the end of it, talking on the phone sucks enough already. read more

Normally I used to get good service from them but lately after three days of calling and being on hold for over an hour only to have a message tell me that they are having service problems and hung up on, I am dissatisfied and frustrated with getting a simple problem resolved. read more

Good luck getting a hold of them. The main line rang for 4 minutes. When no one answered, I called sales who transferred me to someone's voicemail. I went from that person's voicemail to another voicemail -- left two messages. I then tried their W2 hotline and, after it rang for 3 minutes, I got another voicemail. The voicemail said if it was urgent to hit 0 for the operator, I hit 0 which took me back to the original main line that no one ever answered. I would NEVER hire them to do payroll for a production. read more

The worst service and the worst people. Very unprofessional and very rude. They never answer their phone and are constantly late with their deadlines. Definitely do not recommend their business. read more

I would give them a zero star if that was an option. Waiting 6 weeks to get paid as union bg actor. The payroll dept of production just emailed me to say that they too cant get a hold of payroll at EP to get me paid after over 3 weeks of no answers. The 3-5pm call in is a joke as more callers than people answering so after 2 hrs hold you get cut off as office closes at 5pm. No one seemed to care that production co themselves cant get me paid either due to the lack of communication. Seems they hire lots of people from home to answer the phone but all they do is create case # for peoples problems. They even will give you a new case # if the last case # hasnt been solved in 6 weeks or are they just giving you a case# again to make it look like they are working on something? The people creating case # should get busy processing checks. Dont use EP for payroll...they are inundated with problems and no personnel to fix them...only people to create new case #s.. read more

Use another accounting firm. EP used to be a reasonably good place to take your business and conduct business, however over the past few years, the company has lost sight of their clients. Besides my company, many other production companies have started their withdraw from the unfriendly customer reps they have employed. Save yourself the hassle and go to Cast & Crew or Media Services they treat their clients well. read more

It took three phone calls and 10 days just to get my start package emailed to me and approved. A month and a half later I get paid for one day's work. Still waiting for the rest of my pay. Terrible and non-caring attitude. read more

EP is the best! Friendly, approachable, and professional - if I ever need payroll or production management consultation, I always choose Entertainment Partners. read more

No parking spaces available at there office. Too many people crammed into tiny building. They need to address there office location problem soon. read more

Entertainment Partners sells Movie Magic Budget & Scheduling software. As a producer & screenwriter, I cannot say enough about the customer service of this company. Long story short, we bought the Budget & Scheduling software four years ago. The computer got a virus and crashed. Flash forward to 2014 when I needed to open a budget for a project we did back in 2010. I emailed EP and politely asked if I could send them the document and they could open it and save as a PDF then return it to me. What did they do? They sent me a patch to download the current version in both budget & scheduling and VOILA! I was able to open the old document! THANK YOU EP! I am a customer for life! read more

God forbid you should ever need to change any or your personal information. Call, write, email, fax - it doesn't matter. It still won't get done. read more

They sit on residual checks without sending them to the union for over four months. Then when a bank won't deposit the checks because they are stale dated, they say just put them into the atm machine. No, they won't reissue the check unless you mail it back to them. (and then they start over with the processing time..i'm still waiting on my first returned checks to show up) No, you can't fax the check to them even if the price of postage is more than the check. read more

Very professional and friendly. Entertainment Partners is highly reliable and I can always count on them!