Brian Timoney Acting.
Another rogue trader to warn freelancers about: Brian Timoney, a relentless self-promoter who sells acting courses for adults (“Escape Your Sensible 9 to 5 Job and Become A Professional Actor...before its too late!”).
Timoney’s enthusiasm to flog his courses does not match the vigour with which he pays his suppliers however, notably one freelancer who worked on the production of the showreels he sells to his wannabe performers. Having worked on the shoot, this freelancer was stiffed when it came to full payment, Timoney arbitrarily deciding to make deductions from the agreed fee and then refusing to discuss why they were made.
This con artistry can be added to the online feedback he has attracted for the quality and price of his “courses” with participants noting the hard sell he uses to get people to sign up, the monstrous prices he charges and their questionable value (all quotes taken verbatim):
£15k for 3 days a MONTH?!
15k...no way!
I trained with Brian and am still paying off the debt. Please be aware that there are more expenses to consider than just the course cost. I found a lot of the promises made in his sales pitch to be absent once you are on the course.
Save your money - He is a charlatan and is feeding on actors insecurities - there are many other method studios that are far superior and less costly- Plus he has no real contacts - Also once you contact him he will never ever leave you alone. I used to direct in one of the places he hires - He would use my set put coffee cups all over it - Never tidy the room after him. He treats others with much disrespect. He has a reputation but it is not one you need to be associated with - He will in no way further your career.
I signed up for more info and now have to keep my phone on silent at work due to the numerous emails I receive.
Avoid. He's a cowboy.
He is well known as a bully and a pretty nasty one at that. Having his name on your CV won't win you any favours with anyone either.
His main course is staggeringly expensive. £16,000 for around 250 hours of training, which is the equivalent of about two months' worth of training at a good drama school.
Some of his 'success stories' are a little debatable; a few were actors who already had good careers before they took his course, a few were cast in big projects after doing his course, but in SA roles, or tiny walk-on parts, and have failed to sustain much of a career thereafter. He is highly critical of drama school training, though most of his claims about what happens at a drama school are easily refuted.
An outright charlatan, and relies on the 'Emperor's New Clothes' effect, with actors desperately convincing themselves they've improved dramatically because they've spent such an eye-watering sum, and not wanting to admit to themselves, let alone others, that they've been had.
Brian Timoney is doing a 3 day workshop on method. Only £1495 is he having a bubble Bath.
The online Trustpilot reviews tell a different story of course, but it is worth noting that many of these reviews come from people who seemingly have only been motivated to make one review of anything in their life; a laudatory review of Brian Timoney. One might not unreasonably wonder what the true origin of these glowing reviews might be…
All in all then: Brian Timoney, Freelancers Beware!