I know the business of show business can be intimidating to get started in and it is even worse when there are people out there who try to take advantage of you or your child’s career.
We’ve all made mistakes where we might have been a victim to something that sounded too good to be true. So today I am going to point out some traps so you can recognize the signs and hopefully save yourself some money and embarrassment if you fall victim to one of these hucksters.
REPRESENTATION SCAMS
Perhaps this has happened to your child: getting stopped at the mall or the street when someone tells them they can make them a star. Although this happens it is very VERY rare and can oftentimes be very misleading about what it means to break into the industry.
Becoming successful in the performing industry takes a lot of hard work that is complimented by years of training and experience… It is important that you know what to look for and ask when seeking professionals to be a part of your child’s team and ultimate career journey.
Here are a couple of things to help you identify the right people to align with.
Legitimate agencies see promise and potential in their clients, but do not make grand promises of stardom, especially on the first or second meeting. Their websites also do not glamorize the life of an actor. Real agencies know that acting is a tough business. There are no guarantees, even when the actor is talented and has great looks.
AUDITION SCAMS
One of the biggest scams in the show business industry is AUDITION SCAMS. Nowadays with the prevalence of the internet, it is so easy for anyone to post an audition or job posting online. Here are a couple of ways you can make sure you don’t fall prey.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Promises of high pay are another red flag.
I had a client who was told they would fly her out to LA for extra work and make $300 per day. It would only cost her $100 to sign up. RED FLAG. Someone’s asking you for money upfront. Make sure you are learning about the industry and talking to other people in the business so you know what to look out for and what is considered a standard industry call. Knowledge is power and the more you are spending time on casting sites and learning about the industry the better prepared you are for fighting off scams.
Rush casting calls and immediate auditions.
Casting representatives that are in a rush are often trying to close the deal. They know that people tend to make poor decisions under pressure and are more likely to make a payment for some legitimate sounding purpose. This business does move quickly and casting can happen quickly but it is important to be prepared. Legitimate agencies occasionally cast last minute; however, they generally require you to submit a headshot and resume well before they invite you to an interview or audition. If anyone is claiming they can cast you without at least seeing what you look like and what experience you have, avoid them at all costs.
Casting call ads on Craigslist.
Established production companies in urban areas use established casting agencies to provide extras for their upcoming shows. Those agencies do not advertise on Craigslist, in classified ads, or through representatives stopping people in a shopping mall. Most reputable projects will not post any of their information or casting calls on craigslist. I would go to other sites that post audition breakdowns such as Backstage, Actor’s Access, Playbill, Casting Networks or even the casting agencies own website or facebook page. A lot of times these days, casting directors will post their calls for extras or other roles on their social media pages. Make sure you are following these and staying up to date about who is looking for what talent.
Another casting call or audition to be cautious of is when it is seeking all ages. Many times casting will have a clear idea of what they are looking for, especially when it comes to age. If it is an open call for all ages and not a lot of other information, do some more research before moving forward.
Here’s another red flag: Major casting agency accepting calls until 10:00 PM. Most initial auditions will end around the end of the work day. Occasionally dance calls or callbacks will go later into the night but the initial audition will often times never go bast 5/6pm.
If you aren’t able to find a lot of information online about that casting agencies that is another red flag. Major casting agencies never hide their identities. Neither do they have operators standing by to take your call late into the night. Sketchy and suspect contact information is a big tip-off to a scam. Do not call agencies that provide a telephone number with no other identifying information.
WEBSITE RESOURCES
What’s a new actor to do and who should they trust? Before plunking down your hard-earned cash, follow the tips above and do a little research. Legitimate agencies have legitimate websites. Try entering the website address at whoishostingthis.com. You’ll be able to see when, where, and by whom the site was created. Search the individuals listed. If they are a successful casting agency, you will not have any trouble linking the people behind the website to real people in the industry. Don’t stop there. Search the company name for complaints with reputable reporting agencies such as the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org and your state’s division of consumer affairs. Be wary of comments on commercial websites, either positive or negative. Those comments, while sometimes helpful, are generally unverifiable and often misleading.
Protect your child. Make sure you or a trusted guardian are attending these casting calls with your young actor. There are too many people today who are trying to take advantage of young talent and it is important to make sure you are protecting your child. If you are not sure if this is legitimate or not and you accompany your child to the audition, ask if you can be in the audition room. Anyone who is acting fishy about letting that happen is also a red flag.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Make sure that you are also being diligent about the training programs you are signing your child up for online are legitimate. There are a lot of scams even in the acting training world. Any program that asks for a lot of money or promises your child success is not going to be a beneficial investment for their career. Now people do charge money for legitimate services, but do your research. There are so many people who claim to know about the industry or have fake testimonials about their programs online. Don’t believe that your child will become a star after downloading a pdf workbook or buying into a membership program without any real benefits.
Make sure that the training program actually delivers on what they promise. If they are guaranteeing an industry showcase, how many industry people are attending? How many of their students are currently represented by the industry professionals they bring in? Is the teacher accredited by other respected industry pros? Read bios on the teachers. Where did they train? Do your research, reach out to other people you know in the industry to get their opinion on it and to see if they have ever heard of that individual. If you already have representation, one of the best ways to find good training is to ask your representation for recommendations. If they are good representation, they will already be connected with many great teachers and coaches. Also be cautions of training programs or agencies that project overly optimistic messaging such as Don’t stop believing, Chase your dreams, follow your heart, and other inspirational messages are meant to lure in people who are desperate for success and have little experience in the acting industry. Legitimate agencies look for confident, successful, and poised talent. Sure, they want actors with big dreams, but they also want people who are ready to work and train hard.
Most of all TRUST YOUR GUT if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Gain knowledge, reach out to other people you know in the industry, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or check in on the legitimacy of an agency or training program.
