The Stage

BBC show investigates Broadcast Support production company over con claims

Published Thursday 2 October 2008 at 16:45 by Matthew Hemley

BBC investigative series Inside Out is to throw the spotlight on a Nottingham company it claims has been conning vulnerable aspiring performers out of thousands of pounds.

The show, due to be broadcast later this month, focuses on Broadcast Support, which describes itself as a production and publicity company that “helps both professional and unsigned artists get recording deals and placements in films and television shows”.

Inside Out alleges it has charged some aspiring actors, lured in by the company’s adverts calling for people interested in becoming TV presenters, extras or voice-over artists, thousands of pounds for poor-quality showreels and the creation of personal websites that stood them little chance of securing work.

One man featured in the documentary parted with £10,000 for a showreel, while another couple paid out more than £6,000 for a website.

The BBC claims that Broadcast Support led people to believe it had connections with broadcasters and production companies by using various companies’ logos on its site without permission.

Tony Roe, the producer of the Inside Out programme, said: “They say people come and look at the website when they are looking for cast members, so people think they are on a casting website where all production companies that had logos on it come and look. But it’s a complete fabrication.”

He added: “It is sad when you look at the website and see all those people who have fallen for this, thinking they can get on to TV by doing this, when they don’t need to.”

In the programme, the BBC reveals a member of its production team made undercover enquiries about what the company offers, with Broadcast Support claiming it made TV commercials for various companies and that 800 agents and producers used its own site to find talent.

The BBC reporter was told a day with Broadcast Support - including voice training and a showreel - would cost £895.

However, Carl Mould, who runs Broadcast Support, said his company made it “explicitly clear” it was not an employment agency.

“We seek to provide individuals who wish to try and enter the broadcasting industry with the tools and materials to maximise their potential,” he said.

Mould also said pricing for showreels was in line with “industry norms and standards”.

The Inside Out programme will be broadcast by BBC East Midlands on Wednesday, October 8 at 7.30pm on BBC1 and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.