WELCOME!

Welcome to APS! We are sincerely happy to have you as a member-client, and we are confident that you will be very pleased with the APS organization, with its services, and with its members, associates, and staff personnel. Although we make every effort to explain every aspect of the organization to our new members, occasionally we may miss a point or two. Additionally, so much information is given in such a short period of time during the member's initial interview that it is impossible to remember 100% of that information. For these reasons, we have prepared this document for you. And, we strongly suggest that you:

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT
VERY CAREFULLY, PRINT A HARD COPY,
AND KEEP IT WITH YOUR VALUABLE PAPERS

for future reference. In this way, there need never be any misunderstandings, and each of our members can benefit fully from his or her association with APS!

Our first recommendation is that you carefully reread all of the printed information that you have been given on the organization. There is a wealth of information contained within those materials -- so much so that it is well worth your time to read-read them.

DIRECT ADVERTISING/PROMOTION/
NETWORKING/SUPPORT & MORE!

By becoming a member of APS, you have purchased the least expensive, the most direct, and the MOST EFFECTIVE advertising, marketing, promotion, PR, and networking tool available anywhere! For considerably less money than you would spend for a one-half-page ad in one trade paper for one day, you can completely pay for an entire year’s membership with APS and use every service available. You're guaranteed that your photos and resumes will reach the hands of at least two thousand, six hundred ACTIVE feature film and television casting/industry people during your first year with us. If you attend most of the networking events during your first year as an APS member, you are likely to meet between 500 and 800 or more producers, directors, and related decision-making industry people in person. If you had to pay to meet these people (as in a "cold-reading or scene workshop" -- if any of these industry professionals would do cold-reading workshops -- and using a minimal workshop "fee" of $30.00), you'd spend a minimum of $15,000.00 for the "privilege." Add to all of this the free seminars, the dinner meetings with industry speakers, and the tremendous support system built into the APS organization. You cannot lose with APS. You have an extremely wise investment -- an investment in yourself, your career, and your future! Congratulations!

EXPECT TIME-DELAYED RESULTS!
(Very Important to Understand)

We have found over the past thirty-four years that we achieve excellent results for our members by submitting their photos and resumes to industry people up to five months (or more) BEFORE a particular feature film or television project is scheduled to begin casting!  Results are substantially increased because of early submissions for these projects, and the results are usually time-delayed. Remember, too, that many projects are delayed. That is the nature of this industry. Over one-third of the major projects do not begin casting or production when they expect to do so. Most of our members use our services for several months before interviews begin coming in with any degree of regularity. In fact, the first three months' submissions usually produce most of their results during the second three months (months #4, 5, and 6). And, the first six months' submissions usually produce most of their results during the second six months! We strongly urge you, if you have not already done so, to make at least a one-year commitment to this marketing-promotional-networking-PR system. To "give APS a try" for only three or four months is totally unfair to all concerned. We hope that you will be among those APS members who see results right away. If you do not, do not become discouraged! Be realistic. Learn as much as you can about the business side of the industry. Understand how it works.  Do not expect too much, too soon, and you will probably be very pleasantly surprised! After all, over thirty years' worth of statistics speak for themselves: More than 90% of our members can trace results through our services within the first six months, and virtually 100% trace results through APS within the first full year. Again, we strongly suggest that you make a commitment to be with APS for at least a year, even if you make that commitment only to yourself!

AGENTS & MANAGERS MISTAKENLY TAKE CREDIT FOR APS RESULTS

Most of our members receive notification of interviews from their agents. It is only natural that agents often take credit for interviews, which, in fact, resulted from APS submissions. Agents honestly want to believe that something they may have done in the past and forgotten has finally paid off in the form of an interview for you. Let them believe it! If they think they did something to get you the interview, maybe they'll work a little harder and actually get more results for you. The main thing is that you know where the interview (and the resulting work) comes from. Always make a hard copy of your weekly reports.  Check those  reports (you may need to look back as long as six months ago or more, in some cases, just to be sure), and see if the name of the person with whom you're interviewing is on the list. If so, it is almost a certainty that APS was responsible for initiating the interview. Even if the industry/casting person's name is not on your lists, there is still a good probability that APS efforts are responsible. APS submissions frequently change hands within the industry. If there is any doubt about where the interview came from, call us. We can access information in many different ways, and we can probably trace down the actual submission. Another way to help trace interviews is to take a look at your resume (on the back of your photo) which is often on the casting/industry person's desk. APS prints nearly all of the members' resumes. Therefore, the resume APS uses is a little different from the one you or your agents or managers use. When you see that specific resume (usually printed directly on the back of your photo), you know that the interview came as a direct result of APS no matter what anybody says.

The APS week begins Monday and ends Sunday. Weekly reports are usually e-mailed to you within ten days to two weeks after the week has ended. When you originally joined APS, your first official week began on the Monday after you deliver pictures to us. If you initially bring photos to us on a Tuesday, for example, your week began the following Monday, and your report was e-mailed to you the following Thursday.  In this example, it could be up to 2-weeks or so before you receive your first official report. If you do not receive a report within 14 days after an active week ends, please call and let us know.  Unless our members tell us, we may be unaware that electronic mail is not reaching its destination.  If there is a computer, e-mail, or network problem that prevents you from receiving the weekly electronic reports, let us know, and we will be happy to mail you a hard copy.

Occasionally, when there are openings available for new members in the APS organization, an actor will want to assure a spot but not be entirely ready to begin the service at the moment. In these cases, a non-refundable deposit is left - usually a minimum of $100.00. This deposit guarantees a space for the potential new member for up to 30 days. Anyone leaving a deposit understands that the deposit is non refundable and that it is credited toward payment when the service actually begins. If the potential member needs an extra week or so, it is usually possible with simply a phone call to Rock at the APS offices. The deposit is non transferable and is forfeited if the actor does not initiate full membership status within 6-weeks.

There are usually at least two people working in the APS offices at any given time. However, if we don't know you're coming, we may be out of the offices when you arrive. We sometimes take luncheon meetings at very odd times. And, we don't want to miss you, so please: always call first.

DEADLINES

Unless you have hired us to handle the reproduction of your photos, you must deliver your photos to us by no later than 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening in order for us to submit you for the following week's deliveries. In the rare instances when there is no one in the office when you drop by, photos can safely be dropped through the mail slot in the door or simply placed next to the door.

MORE ABOUT THE APS SUPPORT SYSTEM

Let us know what you're doing in the industry. If you have the lead in a play, and we know about it in time, we'll encourage all other APS members to attend. We'll help to fill the theatre. If you have a role in a feature film, let us know when it’s released. We'll all go see it. If you have a nice role in a film that's hit the video market, let us know. We'll encourage APS members to rent it. If you have a TV show airing, we'll watch. The more the other members know about you, your abilities, and your talent, the more they will recommend you to their producer friends and the more they will introduce you to industry people at the APS Networking Events! And . . . the other members will do all of this for you . . . because you will do the same for them. It's that simple. And, we expect everyone to be as supportive as possible of all the other members.

APS usually produces International Entertainment Industry Networking Events every few months. Unless you have a film or television job that conflicts, it is well worth your time to attend each event. And, unless you have made acceptable arrangements to the contrary (with Rock or with an APS officer who acquires Rock's approval), You are expected to attend the BRIEFING if you will attend the actual networking event. This is very important. An Actual Invitation Is Required for Admittance to The Networking Event. Invitations are handed out to active members at the briefing. PLEASE NOTE: If a payment is past due, currently due, or if a payment will be due on or before the date of the event, that payment must be made for the invitation to be valid.

APS promotes up to one hundred active profession actors and actresses at any given time. As of this printing, APS attendance has ranged from 18 to 79 members at events. All of the members are invited, but usually one-third to two-thirds of them are not available for a specific event . . . usually because they're working in film or television (and, usually because of APS efforts!). Consequently, the members who do attend particular functions are usually those members who are newer and/or those who are not getting as many results (yet!). This works out very well, since these are the very people who need to make more industry contacts anyway! PLEASE NOTE: If you go around to members at the briefings and events asking, "How's APS doing for you? How many interviews have you gotten? How much work have you gotten? What do you think about the organization?..." etc., etc., etc., then keep this in mind: The people you are asking are generally newer and are getting fewer results. If you want to hear the real success stories, ask the members who are NOT there. Hopefully, it won't be very long before you are one of the people we hardly ever see at the networking events because you're too busy working!

ONLY THOSE WHO SEE THE INVISIBLE CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

APS has built an outstanding reputation in this industry during the past 30-plus years. Thousands of industry people have said wonderful things about the organization, and more than five hundred have taken the time to actually write us and say "thank you." Occasionally, however, you may hear a negative comment from someone. Some people are not totally comfortable with us when we go "over their heads" to get our members work in "their" projects. Because they feel threatened, a couple of these people may not always be complimentary. APS is a very positive organization (POSITIVE ENERGY - POSITIVE PEOPLE - POSITIVE RESULTS). And, this tends to threaten less-than-positive people. Most negative comments come from people who are not totally familiar with what APS is or with what APS does. Because so many businesses around this industry operate with questionable integrity, people tend to believe that everything is a scam. Please let us know if anyone ever says anything negative about the organization: We'll be happy to educate that person (and probably develop another APS supporter!).

The most difficult job we have is finding outstanding professional actors and actresses who meet our criteria. If you can help by referring anyone to us who is accepted and actually becomes an active APS member, we will reward you by giving you one month's free service (to be added to the end of your current program). Refer six members (when we have openings) and get six months service free. And, it really helps everyone -- us, them, and you.

Most of our members know somebody -- producer/director/star -- personally. We want to know who you know. Drop us a line. Give us a list. Give us addresses, phone numbers, and information. Let us know if we can drop your name when we invite these people to our networking events. In our private databases we have addresses on more than 12,000 celebrities and 40,000+ producers, so chances are good that we have an address (even if you don’t) for someone you know. We're doing our best to get more celebrities to our events as well as more top producers, directors, etc. More celebrities help to attract more top name producers, which helps us all.

APS is a membership organization. The dues you pay entitle you to use all of the services available, some of the services, or none of the services -- whichever you choose.  We, of course, strongly suggest that you take advantage of every service available to you as a member, especially since the membership dues are the same regardless.  We encourage you, for example, to keep track of your photo supply here.  If you run out of photos and are not submitted for several weeks, you are not taking advantage of all that you can, and you're still paying the same dues.  If you're really busy and don't want to have to even hassle with having your photos run off, APS has a service that automatically supplies photos for you. Call the offices for complete information.

PAYING FOR APS SERVICES/MEMBERSHIP

Typically, when a new member joins APS, he or she pays for a specific program (usually a one-year membership) in advance. Sometimes the member's personal financial situation requires that he or she make payments to cover the costs of the service/membership. The member usually signs a form, and the monthly dues are automatically charged to a designated credit card.  In a very few cases, the member chooses to be billed. Billing is a time-consuming hassle for APS, and a $20.00 monthly accounting/billing fee is added to the amount due.

When a check written to us from a member is returned unpaid, we bill that member a $25.00 service charge. This also applies when an automatic payment "bounces."

NO REFUNDS

As noted earlier, many of our members pay for a year's membership in advance. Although it very rarely happens, occasionally we do have a request from a member for a partial refund. We are extremely easy to get along with, and we understand the urgency of certain unforeseen problems. We are very concerned about the welfare of our members. However, we do not give refunds under any circumstances. We have cut the fees for membership to the bone, and we simply cannot afford to give refunds. This is a very firm policy. If a true emergency exists, transferring your remaining membership time to another acceptable professional actor or actress may be considered.

STOPPING SERVICE/MEMBERSHIP

If you are making monthly payments, you are free to stop your membership at any time for any reason. There is one VERY IMPORTANT item to keep in mind if you do stop: Please remember that you must give your 30-day written notice NO LESS THAN 30-DAYS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED PAYMENT DUE DATE!  PLEASE understand: Any payments scheduled WITHIN 30 DAYS after you give notice ARE STILL DUE AND PAYABLE. If, for example, you do not want to make your April 1 payment, give written notice (along with your March 1 scheduled payment) on March 1.

PROFESSIONALISM & ACCOUNTABILITY

APS believes in and practices professionalism. What we say, we deliver, and have been delivering since we first incorporated in late 1978! And, we expect nothing less than professionalism and accountability from each of our members. This expectation, along with the fact that APS depends on each payment due being paid on time, requires the following policy:

APS has extremely high operating expenses, as you might imagine. All payments that are scheduled must be made on time. Any payment that is five days of more past due may result in the interruption or termination of that member's service. And, the payment is still due, and it is still due with an added $25.00 late fee. Payments over 15 days are delinquent, and, unless terms are worked out otherwise, are subject to collection. Again, and very importantly, this also applies to any payments due before the expiration of a written 30-day notice.  APS relies heavily on all payments coming in on time. If a true emergency exists, simply call the APS offices, and we will work with you in any way we can. If something can be worked out, it must be worked out with APS President, S.W. "Rock" Riddle.  No one else in the organization has the authority to deviate from company policy.

OUR MEMBERS ARE OUTSTANDING!

Please don't get the wrong idea: Nearly all of our members are very conscious of getting their payments in on time or having a sufficient balance on their credit cards so that the automatic billing goes through every time with no problems. A forgetful member now and them make the sections on payments necessary.

COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS & COMPLAINTS

We are always here for our members, and we want you to keep in touch with us. We always welcome your suggestions and comments. We also welcome any complaints (although we get very few). If you are happy with APS, tell every quality person you know. If you have a problem, tell Rock so he can fix it.  Thank you!

Welcome Aboard!
APS Productions, 6464 Sunset Blvd., #740, Hollywood, CA  90028   (323) 462-2777

Copyright © 2015 -- APS Entertainment, Hollywood Success Marketing and Public Relations and Rock Riddle -- All Rights Reserved
APS Entertainment, 6464 Sunset Blvd., Suite 740, Hollywood, CA  90028
Serving the Entertainment Industry Since 1978 -- Same address and phone for over 25 years
(323) 462-2777  --  e-mail:  Rock @ HollywoodSuccess.com
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