His card reads General Manager XS Performance Casting. That is quite something different than just 'actor'! But Ferri Somogyi's new enterprise doesn't have anything to do with his acting. For Ferri has gone in business. And before he's a millionaire and rides around in long black limousines all day, Hitkrant had a chance to catch up with him and have him tell all.... about his own internet casting agency.

"I'll tell you how it all started, and what the plans are and stuff." Ferri starts. As General Manager of his own company he does know the ins and outs, after all. "Last year I was watching the Soundmixshow, and I suddenly thought that there must be thousands of talented people out there, who don't get noticed. And why? Because they don't have the means and the contacts to make it. They don't know the right people, they don't have enough money... and that's where we come in...."

- We, being XS Performance Casting, your company.

"Exactly. It will be a casting agency for extras, bands, singers, orchestras, deejays, dancing groups.... We will be intermediaries for anyone who's on stage. From circus performers to presenters. We have different categories, spread out per province, and if you want to have a band of Cossack dancers performing at your party, you just have to visit our website and make your choice."

- How does it work?

"People who think they have talent can subscribe themselves for ƒ150.-. I'll put them on my website, with a photograph, a resume, and if they so desire an audio or videoclip. An audio clip may be three minutes long, video one minute. People can send in a maximum of three three-minute audio clips , so that is nine minutes of sound! And it is technically possible to show a good quality videoclip on the net. Not at all jerky, but quite fluent. So we enable budding artists to use the latest techniques."

- How did you think of all this. Are you a computer nerd?

"When I was 18 years old I lived in America, in California. I studied computer science, because I wanted to become a programmer. I had progressed reasonably, when I quit. I did not have the patience to sit behind a computer all day every day. I could, but I won't. When you're programming you are busy for days, and when you make the tiniest mistake this will set you back a couple of days. It's just not for me. But I still have this affinity with computers, and if I can use my talents this way, all the better. And I got the opportunity...."

- What do you mean?

"There are a number of internet providers in Holland, one of them GlobalXS. I presented them with my idea, and they were thrilled to the extent that they wanted to invest. Programmers, hardware, the works. But I had to take the initiative. Well, I jumped at the chance, and we've been doing this for six months now. On April 25 we'll be going online, and then we'll just wait and see."

- With whom do you do this?

A couple of programmers, people who have earned their stripes in the computer business; experts, my father puts in a lot of energy, and me of course. And we do have some advisors."

- Is this some 'get rich quick-scheme'?

"Absolutely not, but I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think I could make some money with it. But I like the idea that I'm the first in Holland to open a casting agency on the net on this scale. We also handle extras, and we do this in cooperation with Harry Klooster Casting B.V., one of the largest casting agencies in Holland. People who are registered as extras there, are also in our web directory and vice versa."

- Are you actively promoting acts with prospective clients?

'Hmmm no. Anyone can visit our website, for free. Our job is mainly managing the flow. Clients can book their acts with us, and we handle it from there. People can visit our site, and find this user friendly search engine: step by step. This search engine takes them wherever they want to go. Imagine, you are looking for a harp player. You are then presented with multiple options. If you choose one, you are shown a photo, a resume, or you get a sound or a videoclip. Easy. Normally speaking, if I wanted to hire a salsa band, I wouldn't know where to begin looking. You can't see them, you can't hear them. Well, with us, you can!"

- And how do YOU find these Cossacks and salsa bands?

"Actually I hope that people hear about us, and want to join us. We must do our PR."

- Do you test everything that is submitted? Do you actually rate these bands, for instance?

"We do have the right to refuse something. Furthermore we'll be editing the clips ourselves. People send in their stuff, and we'll edit the clips."

- How do you see the future? Will you be in a chauffeured limousine smoking cigars?

"Let's just see where this takes us, whether people really think our site can be of use. I think so. I haven't spoken to anyone who didn't react in a positive way. If we do this right, we can go a long way."