Estephan Talent Agency (Joseph Estephan)

[ZDANIELS]

Beware of Joseph Esephan. He e-mailed me out of the blue. I asked him where he saw my script and he mentioned a website to which I had never been. But I thought since he knew the name of script, he must have seen it somewhere, so what did that prove? Well, then he calls me (during weird, non-business hours) and asked if I was all ready to send my script with the $20 fee (he sort of skimmed through that part). I said, "Wait, hold up, back the truck up... What fee?" He said they have to charge a fee to pay their offices, blah, blah, blah. I said "Well, I'm not gonna pay any fee." He said, "Well, okay, good luck with your script and in the future..." I hung up on him in mid-sentence. In retrospect, I wished I had cussed him out and I still may via e-mail. Anyway, this guy's website is called screenwritersale.com and he claims to have connections to the Christian writing commnunity, to represent several writers on major TV shows, and to have been a WGA signatory for 14 years. Well, as we all know, agents that charge reading fees are not allowed to be WGA signatories. So, my next step is to call WGA, although I'm not sure if he really is on the WGA list or he just lied about that. Just a heads up. Definitely a scam artist.

[duane3]

Joe has turned to managing/producing now. You'll find it's quite normal for managers to ask writers to share expenses when "hip-pocketing" new writers. If Joe was lying, don't you'd think those big named writers he references would sue or demand removal from his site? don't you think the WGA would take down the Anne Kenney article? You might want to retract; and do a little research next time!

www.wga.org/craft/AnneKenney.html (http://www.wga.org/craft/AnneKenney.html)
(she mentions Joe as her first agent)

www.scriptsales.com/ArchivesMar02.html (http://www.scriptsales.com/ArchivesMar02.html)
(script sale #12)

[absolutewrite]

I, too, had the same experience. Found out he was banned from the American Zoetrope site for the same sort of behavior. By the way, duane, not to be disrespectful, but the WGA article doesn't cast him in a good light-- the writer is making fun of herself for going with an agent who was a math teacher during the day.

Reading fees, in my opinion, are totally unacceptable.

[duane3]

I see. I guess you guys won't be attending his seminar at this years Screenwriting Expo. Perhaps the script he sold in March for 500k is also a scam. The two of you should contact Done Deal and the 2002 Screenwriting Expo and make them aware that they've been hoodwinked.

www.screenwritingexpo.com...s_sun.html (http://www.screenwritingexpo.com/seminars_sun.html)

[SamIAm123]

you should NEVER deal with someone who asks you for a fee to read your material. NEVER NEVER NEVER. it is not something that is up for debate. NEVER. PERIOD. END OF STORY.

[ncwriter]

You guys are confusing managers and agents. If an agent asks for money, dump him. However, this guy is a manager/agent--and if any of you can find a manager that won't charge you money, check Hades for icesicles and give me a call. Also, his web site is a script registry, and most script resgistries charge a small fee. The only sin he is guilty of that I can see is solicitation via spam.

[absolutewrite]

Ncwriter, why is it okay for a manager to charge fees? I had a manager and never paid a fee. But on top of this, Joe is charging $20 per script to send it out-- that's far more than simple postage costs!

[Unregistered]

He's charging $20 per script (presumably messengering costs) and lately $25 per logline to email loglines to producers. This is puzzling because what expense could he possibly incur sending out a logline?
Does anyone know the names of writers he currently represents who have actually sold scripts via his auspices?

[mammamaia]

a 'real' manager gets a percentage of an artist's earnings and does NOT charge FEES!... scam artists are just getting more creative with titles these days, and newbies are still falling for it all:\ ... remember what the late, great, scamminest artist of 'em all, p.t. barnum had to say, 'there's a sucker born every minute and two to take 'im!'... they're all laughin' their way to the bank... :rollin

love and hugs, maia

[Unregistered user]

Does that mean we all get to line up and pelt him with rotten tomatoes?

[Unregistered]

Duane,
That half mil is contingent on the script actually
getting made, you can be sure. The writer probably got option money, which is a tiny fraction of that amount.
At $20 x 10 scripts per writer (= $200) -- he generally asks for ten copies of a script and twenty bucks a copy -- if he hip-pockets 100 writers, he's pocketed twenty grand. That ain't chump change.
Can anyone in Cyberspace provide this message board with the names of writers who are currently active for whom he has actually made sales?

[duane]

If Joe Estephan were indeed using the phone and emails for the sole purpose of depriving writers out of their property interests, (i.e. money), he would be committing wire fraud. Two or more such acts constitutes a pattern, which would then violate the RICO Act. First offense: 20 years. If you folks really believe what you're saying, I suggest you notify the authorities.

Duane

[Unregistered]

Unfortunately for us innocent, gullible "newbies," there are gray areas. That said, the truth is that I do believe he is sincere in his intentions.
So, let's all go home happy.

[Movieman]

Joe Estephan was my agent for two years. He NEVER EVER called me and when I called him, I got either an answering machine that sounded like crap or him telling me about a producer he was working with who wanted to package ten movies and that my script was being pushed for consideration. He is also not listed as a WGA Signatory agent. When I called them they told me that he had been removed for charging a fee. The contract I recieved looked like it had been zeroxed 100 times and it was crooked. The envelope he sent it to me in was someone else's SASE with his handwritten name and address on a label over the original. Very unprofessional for someone in the Biz for 17 years.

His whole operation seemed, to me, like a twenty-something pretending to be a Hollywood agent and making a living on newbies.

[RaineWriter]

And asked me for a hundred bucks for a readers fee. I said that I have been advised NOT to send any money. He asked that I'd think it over...Heh, heh. I decided in a microsecond that this guy is absolutely no good at all for anything except scamming the new writers who haven't read their books.

Stay away from this guy.

[bentbrains]

Wow! Thanks for the warning! That sounds like the dictionairy's definition of a scam artist! A Pay Phone???!!!???:bang
-Frank J. Middleton

[Lobelia Overhill]

a bit late but I'm a newbie here ...

I contacted Joe 5 or 6 years ago (I forget how I got his details) he sent me a sheet of A4 paper with his name and address at the top (almost like real letterheaded stationary), gave me the name of a book I should buy and told me to start sending out my screenplays to producers (listed in the book) by photocopying his letterhead, writing my own blurb and mailing it out.

I didn't ...

[tfdswift]

Thank God I never heard of this guy. I seem to have "SUCKER" painted across my forehead. Thank goodness I have a great mentor. I feel so much safer.

~~Tammy

[Alphabeter]

Tammy

You keep gettin' smarter 'n we's gonna hafta take that there avatar of Brandine away from yous!

A :Sun:

[Gypsy_Agent]

After reading this thread, I thought maybe my two cents and experience with this individual might help anyone considering dealing with him to decide how to proceed.

My first contact with Joseph Estephan was in 2004. He called me and said he’d seen my entry of a TV series script on Moviebytes.com. We talked and then he threw in the tag about the money. I asked to think about it and when he called back I told him I needed credentials and to know his background. He also told me he was a WGAw signatory for 14 years and gave me the names of people he backed. I decided, without checking the requested information first, to give this a try. On his initial call he said he wanted $20, this call he wanted $100. I balked and told him I only agreed to the initial handling fee and why couldn’t he sign a contract and take a percentage of my earnings rather than demanding fees up front? He said this was simply for the initial handling and copying. I told him I would send him the copies he needed, but he asked for the $20 for handling costs. I gave in – still not sure why I did, but I did.

Later I checked his background and credentials and really wish I’d done that beforehand. I called the WGAw and told the gentlemen that answered about the conversation. A long sigh later and without missing a beat as if calls about this individual were typical, he told me: Mr. Estephan was a signatory for 14 years, but he was dismissed on grounds that could not be discussed. He advised me to seek out an agent and not a manager, never pay money to either one, and perhaps I should do a full background check on Mr. Estephan before I entered into a bidning contract with him. So with sirens going off, I went to IMDB.com and put in the credentials he gave me and the ones on his website. Most hadn’t worked in 3 or more years.

Mr. Estephan contacted me again, this time on a Sunday. I called back to discuss this finding and to tell him ‘no contract, no deal and certainly no more money.’ I got an answer machine. When I got my cell phone bill the next month, the phone number was in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; a far cry from Hollywood, California. He called again two weekends ago but I wasn’t home to answer. I have never heard from him but every few months, he has never called or emailed me about who he is shopping my script to or what is happening with my script, and when I emailed him to ask who he was shopping to, I never recieved a reply.

Every writer must come to their own conclusions about Mr. Joseph Estephan. However, I urge anyone considering dealing with this man, to do a careful and thorough background check, do not send any money to him, and only offer a percentage of earnings if/when he gets you your shot in the biz. And if you do get a contract, pay for a lawyer becuase it could cost you far more in the future. But mind you, this holds true for ANY manager or agent, not just Joseph Estephan.

[Maryn]

Mr. Estephan has been discussed at IMDb's Shop Talk Writer's board recently, at http://imdb.com/board/bd0000019/nest/20759797

The conclusion there was the same you reached here--that he's not an agent a reputable writer should sign with.

[JennaGlatzer]

Moments ago, I got a phone call out of the blue from Estephan. I let it go to my machine. Perhaps he has forgotten that he already tried to scam me once before. Perhaps it's time to alert the authorities.

[JennaGlatzer]

Info on Joe:

Estephan Talent Agency
6018 Greenmeadow Rd.
Lakewood, CA 90713
(562) 421-8048

Other complaints about him

(read from bottom up): http://www.urban-living.org/new-4126379-1020.html

http://p083.ezboard.com/fscreenplaycommessageboardfrm31.showMessage?topicI D=66.topic

Was at one point WGA and SAG signatory. Now apparently spends his days trolling the Net for screenwriters (and actors, and models?) who'll fork over $20 per submission-- and/or a $100 reading fee.

Yeah, let's do it. Let's nab this sucker.

[JennaGlatzer]

Maryn, maybe it's just me, but I'm getting a blank page when I click your link. Is it "expired?"

[pepperlandgirl]

Jenna, I think you have to be registered on the IMDB boards to see it...

[day13]

Earnestly, I must admit I was a bit alarmed when I saw this profile. After sending out multitudes of query letters, Mr. Estephan was the only agent who showed any interest in myself and my work. After talking, I was given the proposal of submitting my screenplays for a fee of $100 each. I submitted $600 (six screenplays). I decided to do some research before committing to a contract (I hadn’t signed one yet), and soon discovered this site. Concerned and in search of the truth, I mailed print outs of the feedback from this forum to Mr. Estephan, who patiently explained and answered all of my questions. Mr. Estephan was soon going to attend the American Film Market (AFM) festival in LA, in hopes of promoting myself and my work.

As luck would have it, two other agencies in California contacted me, with slightly better offers and opportunities. Wanting my career to take the most optimal path possible, I decided to sign on with another agency (which was NOT an easy decision to make). I was given periodic updates by way of phone and emails, had all of my questions answered, was given a partial refund of my money, and severed ties in an equitable, polite and professional manner. I was also promised to have all material that I had submitted disposed of (I threatened with extensive legal action). If you are in search of representation that will provide an advantage in the ever-competitive film-making industry, Mr. Estephan and the Estephan agency would be a good place to start.

[MattW]

I'd be awful polite and respectful to someone who just wrote me a $600 check, taking time for long explantations about questionable practices and bad reputation.

A "positive" experience doesn't mean he wasn't scamming you. Take comfort in the partial refund of something that shouldn't have been charged in the first place.

[Maryn]

Truly, any of us can understand a person who'd handed over $600 wanting to put a good spin on the deal, but I'm afraid Day13 will never see any of the six screenplays sold or even come close, not because of their quality (which I can't know, of course) but because Mr. Estephan's reputation surely preceeds him in the business. Even before you terminated your arrangement with the man, he has lost whatever 'cred' he had in the business. It's highly unlikely anyone able to produce a movie would consider a meeting with someone who appears to make his living in recent years on the hundred-dollar hopes of the inexperienced.

I'm glad you felt you had a professional relationship with the guy, but since you received only a partial refund and a bit of the man's time, you're still out a substantial amount of money for no services rendered.

Ow, huh? I know. Anyway, welcome to the boards, where we are always available to help you sidestep the next costly lesson. I urge you to check out the reputation of agents and agencies before initiating contact or allowing them to initiate it.

Maryn, sorry to hear a fellow writer got ripped off

[day13]

I got this message from Mr. Estephan. He told me he is now offering his services free of charge --

"I will look at projects from writers(especially those who are
not so happy about my services to them at this point) at no charge and have 1 or 2 movie projects in the works right now. Certain acting talent interested in a project will generate a commitment from a distributor and hence financing to make a movie. Any person who is dissatisfied with my services to this point can simply submit a list of script synopsis/loglines(1-2 sentences) to me thru email and let me see what the acting talent wants to do(they have all kinds of certain ideas/preferences). Then simply be ready to provide some sort of justificationthrough a qualified script reviewer as to the professional quality of a script requested as it is too expensive for me to do "script doctoring" for individual projects and I have more to lose by submitting a bad script(developing the contact network is the culmination of over 20 years in the biz), as the script may not be totally right for the talent, but if it is unprofessional, I can burn a bridge. I do have legitimate access to the talent through contcts. I do not however have the time and energy to spend more than a few minutes simply forwarding the email. The writer must do the mailing/follow up. The writer must also be very patient as many times I work through normal vacation time to do the work instead of taking normal time off and work efficiently while others would normally just be watching TV or football.

Thanks,

Joe "

[Mac H.]

Then simply be ready to provide some sort of justificationthrough a qualified script reviewer as to the professional quality of a script requested as it is too expensive for me to do "script doctoring" for individual projects and I have more to lose by submitting a bad script(developing the contact network is the culmination of over 20 years in the biz), as the script may not be totally right for the talent, but if it is unprofessional, I can burn a bridge
Let me guess .. he'll provide the details of an unaffiliated reviewer to review the script?

If he has 'more to lose by submitting a bad script', then perhaps he should have READ the scripts he was enthusiastic about in the past.

eg:
http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=11930

To quote:
Yup, he tried to scam me a few years ago too. Went on and on about how much loved my script until I finally asked him if he'd read it and he replied, "well...no, not yet"...but...and then the "send x amount of money for this and that"...

He also used to trade as 'William Morris Casting' (eg: http://www.photolinks.com/Advertising_Photography.html?page=19 ) .. which despite having an identical name to a famous talent agency, seems to have NO connection to the famous talent agency.

Why would anyone bother with him?

Mac

[mikerofone]

Any recent (past year) reports about or experiences with Joseph Estephan and his Estephan Talent Agency? He has contacted me recently and after doing my research on him I am inclined to not even respond. Just wondering if there is any evidence he has turned over a new leaf or has become legit.

[Birol]

I merged the two threads. Thanks for the link, Deadly.

[Maryn]

Any recent (past year) reports about or experiences with Joseph Estephan and his Estephan Talent Agency? He has contacted me recently and after doing my research on him I am inclined to not even respond. Just wondering if there is any evidence he has turned over a new leaf or has become legit.Personally, mikerofone, I think the guy's placed himself off-limits for any writer with common sense. If he's been perfectly willing to rip writers off in the past, could you trust him? I couldn't.

Maryn, who looks gift horses in the mouth (it's dark in there!)

[aka eraser]

.... Just wondering if there is any evidence he has turned over a new leaf or has become legit.

How often do leopards change their spots? ;)

[CaoPaux]

I'm not finding any activity after 2007. Anyone else?

[WilRadcliffe]

I just got an email from him. He asked to see a copy of my novel. I think he got my email address by doing a google search for my book. However, I'm currently not seeking representation, so I politely declined.

[victoriastrauss]

If he's still active, I'd love to have documentation for Writer Beware. WilRadcliffe, would you please contact me (in confidence) at beware [at] sfwa [dot] org? Thanks.

- Victoria