Acting and modeling scams are easy to avoid. Just follow these basic guidelines:

1. Scammers want your money and they want it now.
   Let me repeat that. Scammers want your money and they want it now. Your money is their primary concern. They will do and say whatever they can to get you to pay them money - right away. They will lie. They will lie. They will lie. They will tell you everything you want to hear. But it will all be lies. What they want is your money. They do not care about you. They want your money.
2. Model searches that require registration fees are scams.
3. Talent searches that require registration fees are scams.
4. Model and talent conventions are scams.
5. Anyone who wants you to pay them money before you do any modeling or acting work is a scammer.
6. Anyone who promises you acting or modeling work on condition that you pay them money in advance is a scammer.
7. If it seems like a lot of money to pay, it is and you should not pay it. It is a scam.
8. Agents and managers get paid by collecting commissions from your pay AFTER you have completed a job. If they ask you for cash they are scammers.
9. Agents or managers who charge fees for any kind of services (photos, résumés, internet listings, book listings, hair or make-up stylists, etc). are scammers.
10. Photo sessions should not cost more than a few hundred dollars. Anyone charging more than that is a scammer.

What should you do if you are confronted by one of the above situations? Stop dealing with that person and company. IMMEDIATELY!!! Leave. Grab your checkbook, credit card, wallet or purse and get out!!!

Sometimes, new or inexperienced agents will place ads seeking models and actors in newspapers and magazines to attract talent to represent. Agencies will also advertise in local papers when they are hired by producers to find extras and other cast members for films being shot outside of Hollywood.

BEWARE! Scam artists and dangerous people place fake ads for models and actors in newspapers and magazines. Such nasty people are seeking naive, unsuspecting victims to take money from, sexually molest or even do bodily harm to. (YES THIS HAPPENS!!! BELIEVE IT!)

How can you tell the difference? There are no guarantees, however there are some warning signals you can watch for that will tell you to "GET OUT NOW!"

• If the person you are to meet wants to meet you in a motel room or hotel room, (no matter how nice the hotel or motel) especially at night - DON'T GO!
• If the person asks you intimate, embarassing, or inappropriate questions - GET OUT!
• If the person asks you to remove any clothing - GET OUT!
• If the person says nudity is required and this was not listed in the ad - GET OUT!
• If the person is unkempt, smelly or acts strange - GET OUT!
• If you go to an office and you don't see any office people or the office people don't look busy, the phones are not ringing or you don't see other indications that this is a busy agency - this might not be the agent for you.
• If the person starts asking you for money up front or starts pressuring you to pay for classes or photo packages - LEAVE. Agents get paid by commissions on work you perform (10%-20%). In some states, it is illegal for agents to offer other services for fees.
• If the person gushes about how georgeous you are, or that you have the perfect look, or that you are unquestionably star material, or other such extreme flattery - and then asks you to pay for their classes, photo services, etc. - LEAVE!
• If the person takes the opposite approach, telling you that you don't have what it takes, or almost have what it takes, but they can help you to succeed and then asks you to pay for their classes, photo services, etc. - LEAVE!

There are a lot of scams and scammers out there. If something doesn't seem right - it's probably not. If things seem too good to be true - they're probably not true.

You have lost nothing by walking away from a questionable situation. You have gained nothing by being represented by an incompetent, lazy, unqualified agent. You will lose a lot by being represented by an incompetent, lazy, unqualified agent. Take your time finding an agent. It is not a desperate act by a desperate actor. It is a business decision and a life decision. It is your future career and earnings. It is your time and energy. These things are valuable. Too valuable to waste on someone trying to pressure you into a bad deal. Too valuable to waste on careless judgement. Take time to think about an offer. Don't be pressured to sign anything until you have walked away for a while and thought about it.

Model/talent searches are a terrible way to try to get into the modeling or acting business. They are expensive and yield little of value. They are scams. They are scams because MOST (almost all) of the people who attend such events receive little of any real value for their money. A few workshops, a quick walk on a runway and a "chance" to be seen by "agents" is hardly worth the many hundreds or thousands of dollars these ridiculous model/talent searches charge.

All legitimate model agencies hold open calls at their offices. Legitimate agents DO NOT CHARGE A FEE for this!!! Just call the agencies and ask about their procedures.

All legitimate talent agencies will look at the photos, résumés and videos/cds actors mail to the agency office. Legitimate agents DO NOT CHARGE A FEE for this!!!

The people who organize model/talent searches are fully aware that over 95% of those who attend will not be "chosen". They are fully aware that of those who are "chosen", only a few, if any, will actually gain any significant work on any regular basis.

The people who organize these searches take in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees. Almost all the people who attend receive little of any value toward a professional modeling or acting career. That is the scam.

The information you provide to the "professional scout" (usually someone who knows little if anything about the modeling business) at the model/talent search "open call" was likely sold to modeling schools, photographers or anyone else interested in selling services. The "scouts" are trained to get as many people to pay to attend the search as possible - whether the attendees shows any merit or not. The scouts use a lot of flattery and misleading statements to accomplish this goal.

The agents who are at the search are paid a sizable fee to attend. Many of the "agents" are not really agents. They are agent assistants or other people who have no decision making authority to actually sign an attendee. Often times, the staff of these searches and even the "agents" use the open calls and the search convention to find cute women and men to "date" (have sex with). This will not advance anyone's chances of launching a modeling career. It just makes fools out of the attendees.

The organizers usually require agents to "callback" a certain number of candidates, whether they are interested in all the candidates or not. A callback does not mean you have been "choosen" or are on your way to a career. It simply means that the "agent" wants to talk to you again. Most attendees who are called back do not ultimately receive any representation.

There are far-far better, less costly and more productive ways to get into the modeling and acting business. I suggest you head to the library or spend $20 or $30 at your local bookstore and get a book or two about the modeling and acting business so you can learn something about how things really work. It is far, far cheaper than wasting money on silly model/talent searches.

Never, never pay money upfront for anything!

Sounds simple, doesn't it. If people actually followed this simple guideline, they would save themselves thousands of dollars and put acting and modeling scammers out of business. However, it seems the allure of earning "big money" as an actor or model fogs many peoples' brains and impairs their otherwise good judgement. So I will clarify the above basic rule with some specific things to NEVER DO...

• Never, never pay an agent or manager any upfront money!

  If an agent or manager asks you to pay them money for "expenses" or "headshot and résumé reproductions" or "mailing expenses" or anything else, it is time to turn around, leave the office and don't go back. Agents earn their income from commissions on the income you earn when you perform acting work. The specifics of what kind of work and what earnings are commissionable should be detailed in a contractual agreement between you and the agent. The agent's office and other expenses come out of the commissions they earn - not from upfront fees they might try to collect from naive, ignorant actors.

  The only exception to the never pay upfront fees rule are "registration" fees charged to applicants by agencies that handle primarily background (extra) work. This fee should be small, no more than $20-$30. Anything more than that approaches the scammy side and those agencies should be avoided. Agents who handle background actors are paid by the producers of a show for extras provided. Commissions are not paid by actors to agents for extra work.

  As an aside, if you respond to an "audition" notice in a newspaper or TV ad, and find the "audition" is attended be several hundred people, and you are asked to pay a "fee" to register to be an extra in case you do not get a bigger part - or for future productions - save your money and get outta there. It's a scam. There are no other exceptions to the never, never pay an agent or manager any upfront money rule.

• Never, never pay anyone for SAG vouchers!

  One way to qualify to join SAG (Screen Actors' Guild) is to perfom as an extra on union productions. There are specific rules as to what circumstances an extra can earn "vouchers" for such work. When an actor has earned enough vouchers, they qualify to join the guild. There are unscrupulous people who counterfit SAG vouchers or manage to get ahold of real vouchers and sell them to naive actors eager to qualify to join SAG. Do not buy SAG vouchers from anyone!!! If the actor is caught trying to join the union by presenting the union with vouchers for work the actor did not do, the union will not allow the actor to join, revoke their membership if the actor already was allowed to join and will likely bar the actor from ever joining the union. Not a good position for an aspiring actor to be in. SAG will soon change the voucher program.

• Never, never pay to audition!

  Anyone who attempts to charge any kind of fee to actors who hope to audition for an agent, manager, casting director or production, are scammers and you should leave immediately. The only exdception are the fees charged by the various regional theatre auditions. See AWOL's List of Regional, Combined Theatre Auditions section in these appendices.

• Never, ever give out your social security number, bank account number, checking account number or credit card number at an audition.

  If anyone asks you for any of these numbers at an audition, leave immediately. They are scammers.

• Never, never pay union dues to anyone except the union!

  If anyone who claims to be casting for a project asks you to pay any money for "union dues", leave immediately. They are scammers.

• Never, never pay any money to anyone who claims they will charge no fees!

  Anyone who advertises that no fees will be charged is immediately suspect and should be dismissed out-of-hand as operating unethically? Why? Because it is a given that no fees will ever be charged. Anyone who advertises "NO FEES" is using it as a come-on to sucker naive, desperate, new-comers into responding to their spurious advertisement. Stay away from these people. What they really intend is to sell you photo services, classes, convention registration or any number of other expensive products or services. Leave immediately! Do not listen to their sales pitch - no matter what they say. LEAVE!!!

• Never, never pay any money to anyone to "evaluate your potential!"

  Anyone who takes money to "evaluate your potential" is scamming you. They are taking advantage of naive, desperate acting and modeling wannabees. Potential? Potential for what? For becoming a star? Noone can confidently assess such a thing. It is foolish to give any credence to anyone who claims they can evaluate your "potential." It is possible for someone to evaluate your current level of acting skills and mastery of the fundamentals - but you don't have to pay anyone to do such an evaluation for you. A much truer and far more accurate gauge of your "potential" is a live audience. Find an audition - Go to it - Get parts and Perform in front of live audiences.

• Never, never pay any money to anyone to get you "industry ready!"

  "Industry Ready" is one of those silly terms scammers invent to intimidate naive, desperate, wannabees. Their intent is to make you feel you are somehow inadequate and that they can give you what you need to make the grade - if you pay them their ridiculous fee. When you hear someone using phrases like "industry ready" that are then attached to the payment of a fee, leave immediately!

• Never, never pay any money to an agent or agency that requires you to take their classes before they will represent you!

  This is a scam. They are much, much more interested in taking your class fees than in representing you. These agencies - if they actually turn out to really be agencies - are the bottom-feeders of the industry. Stay away from them - and don't take their over-priced classes.

• Never, never pay any money to an agent or agency who requires you have expensive photos taken by specific photograpghers as a condition to be represented.

  This is a scam. They are much, much more interested in collecting their photo fees or photographer kick-backs than in representing you. These agencies - if they actually turn out to really be agencies - are the bottom-feeders of the industry. Stay away from them.

Photographs are a basic tool most actors include in the information package they provide to casting people when seeking representation and professional work. They are also a common source of scams that unscrupulous agents, managers, photographers and criminals use to fleece actors out of hundreds and thousands of dollars. One of the most common scams is perpetrated by agents and photographers who work together to take an actor's money. This is how the scam works:

An agent interviews an actor, and agrees to represent the actor, but first the actor must get pictures taken by a specific photographer. The agent may charge the actor a photography "fee", or receive a monetary "kickback" from the photographer for sending the actor to the photographer, or both. The cost of these pictures is frequently far higher than normal for the area. The quality of the photos for casting purposes is usually inferior and useless for the intended purpose. This scam is also perpetrated by unscrupulous "managers", "management" companies and acting/modeling schools.

In some states it is illegal for an agent to require that photos be taken by specific photographers. It is unethical for an agent, manager, management company or school to charge a photography fee or receive monetary compensation for "referring" actors to specific photographers. If you are seeking representation by an agent or the services of a manager, management company or school who pressures you to get pictures taken by a specific photographer, you should leave their office ASAP and cross that agent, manager, management company or school off your list of professional service providers - no matter what they tell you.

Ethical agents usually have a list of several photographers whose work they feel works well for actors. They will provide this list for you so you can meet with and interview these photographers, and if you wish, have your photos taken by one of them. They will also be open to any other photographer you may decide to use. If you are considering a photographer who's work your agent is unfamiliar with, you might show samples of the photographer's work to your agent and discuss the pros and cons of the their work with your agent.

Another scam is perpetrated by the photographer. Unscrupulous photographers may attempt to persuade eager, naive women and men to engage in pornographic photo sessions. If a photographer begins to suggest you could make "big money" by removing your clothing, get out immediately!!! Some unscrupulous photographers may attempt to persuade eager, naive women and men to become "escorts". Although this might sound like a fairly easy, innocent way to earn income, escort services, especially those that use photographers to recruit escorts are frequently fronts for prostitution. If a photographer makes such a suggestion to you, leave immediately!!!

Another photo scam involves photographs of children. Children do not need professional photos taken. Children grow and change their appearance regularly. Agents and casting directors do not look for slick, professional photos of children to arrive on their desk. A great, expressive polaroid is all they need. Any agent, manager, management company, school or photographer who pressures you to get expensive photos of your child done should be quickly avoided.

Photography scams are frequently perpetrated at talent/model conventions. Participants at these silly conventions are pressured to purchase expensive photo packages, sometimes for well over a thousand dollars. This is a scam - along with the many other scams perpetrated at talent/model conventions. Do not paticipate in talent/model conventions.

A photo session, proofs, consultation and high-quality prints for reproduction by a printer should not cost more than a few hundred dollars. Any photographer charging in excess of $400 or so should be avoided.

With fortunes to gain, and dreams to lose, both prospective models and actors must navigate cautiously into the sometime treacherous sea of managers and agencies. Unfortunately, many unsuspecting consumers are fleeced out of hundreds and thousands of dollars by unscrupulous operators posing as agents and managers who promise job placements after charging high fees for photographic or other incidental services.

The best defense against scam artists who prey on models and actors is always an educated consumer who keeps their feet on the ground while they reach for the stars.

The information below provides critical advice to prospective models and actors, including tips on finding a reputable agent, getting photographs and portfolios, and choosing a modeling and acting school.

So, You Wanna Get In The Biz. You're young, fit, attractive and ready to set the modeling and entertainment industries ablaze. And to further show commitment to your calling, you are willing to make a substantial investment to further your career. You are, indeed, a much sought after commodity. Yet you are by no means alone.

The modeling and entertainment industries are highly competitive, with a tremendous number of people trying for the same precious few "big breaks." Everyday scores and scores of would-be models and actors set out to chase their dreams. Far too often these dreams turn into nightmares as hopefuls get involved in dubious deals with modeling and talent-agency scam artists. Many aspiring models and actors have ended up lining the pockets of disreputable agents, while emptying their own.

According to the Better Business Bureau, modeling agency scams are a fastest growing category of scams. The typical scam involves an agency promising modeling jobs to prospective clients, but requiring the individual to purchase a costly portfolio as a necessary precondition for gaining employment. Of course the "right" photographer just happens to be affiliated with the agency, without the knowledge of the model. In the end, the aspiring model is often left with a much lighter wallet and a heavy, useless portfolio.

Simply put, legitimate model and/or talent managers do not require or request upfront fees. In fact, legitimate model/talent managers will invest money in the hopeful model/actor with hopes of recouping their investment in the future.

To avoid being ripped off, aspiring models should look for and attend "open calls" at reputable modeling agencies. Well-known agencies usually have open calls on a weekly basis. Aspiring models should also avoid agents who: require upfront service fees; require photographs by a specific photographer; advertise in newspapers, or on buses and subways.

Before you start chasing your dreams, it is also very important to understand the difference between modeling/talent agencies and modeling/talent managers. By definition, a modeling/talent agency is anyone who attempts to secure employment for modeling, theater, film, radio, or television work, but does not include the management of the client's business affairs. Fees for the agency's services are limited to 10% by law in many states. Furthermore, in most states, modeling/talent agencies must be licensed and bonded. A licensed agency is required to prominently display its license.

Model/talent managers differ from agencies because managers are in the business of overseeing the careers of their clients. Arranging for employment is only an incidental, or minor, part of the working relationship between manager and client. Thus, managers advise their clients on appearance, style, portfolio layout and direction of their career. Managers generally charge fees ranging from 15% to 20%.

Managers and agents are not in the business of selling photographs to their clients. If a manager or agent spends more time trying to get you to buy photographs than trying to get to know you, your talent, and your career objectives, go elsewhere.

The remaining sections of this guide will provide you with important information that you should consider as you begin to carve out your career.

Typical Scams By Unscrupulous Agencies
Unscrupulous talent and model agencies often use these baits to reel in new "talent"

• Making inflated promises of getting jobs for you.
• Pressuring you to make and buy expensive sets of composite cards and/or portfolios made by a photographer on the premises or secretly affiliated with the agency.,
• Failing to tell you beforehand the full costs of photos and other services.
• Pressuring you to pay with a credit card or an ATM card.
• Not disclosing the financial connection between the agents and the photographers.
• Mailing out "You have been selected" letters falsely claiming you are receiving special treatment.
• Making false claims about the success of the agency's "Print Books," the publications which contain listings and photos of models and actors.
• Telling you the "real people" look is the "in" thing now and that "you have that look."

Tips On Finding A Reputable Agent

• Check whether an agency is licensed by calling your state's Consumer Affairs department. An agency should have its license posted in the reception area.
• Do not use an agent/manager who requests upfront fees for photo shoots or any other type of service. Upfront fees are illegal. If a photographer appears to be in cahoots with a modeling agency, take your business elsewhere.
• Do not believe promises of work. If a prospective agent tells you he or she can book you for a particular film, video or modeling assignment, beware. Unless an agent is unusually powerful in the business, the most that agent can do is send you on auditions and put in a good word on your behalf.
• Beware of agents who solicit you over the phone or in person. If someone approaches you on the street, take that person's business card and check to see if he or she is licensed - if not, forget it.
• Make sure a prospective agent takes the commitment seriously before you put your career in the agent's hands. Agents who say they will represent aspiring actors without first seeing their work - even a simple script reading in their office - are not legitimate.
• Ask around before you sign with anyone to find out whether the person/agency has a good reputation in the business. Try to get references from others whom the agent or manager has represented in the past.
• Few people enrolled at modeling schools, or signed up by scam agencies, know about "open calls" at modeling agencies. At least once a week, model managers and agents have an open call - a period of time when they look over people off the street who want to know if they have a chance. Open calls are great places to start, because you will get free evaluations by experienced agents. Prospective models are required to bring a few snapshots with them to open calls.
• Talent agencies are listed free in publications like Backstage magazine, Ross Reports, Madison Avenue Handbook, and the New York City Model Agency Directory.
• Do not respond to subway, bus or classified ads that promise modeling and acting jobs to people with no experience, or of all ages and sizes, etc. They are come-ons.

Tips On Getting Pictures And Portfolios

• Before actually looking for work, aspiring models and actors need professional test shots. No reputable modeling or talent agency will charge you for test shots. The agency may recommend a photographer, but you should be under no obligation to work with any particular person.
• Get the names of several photographers and review their work before choosing one. If an agent strongly pushes you to work with a particular person, be wary. Make sure the person's work actually meets industry standards by checking with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), or other reputable fashion or entertainment sources.
• Adults starting out should not waste money on shots specifically geared towards building up a portfolio. Portfolios are built over time, as you get jobs.
• Children up to age 5 or 6 change so rapidly that current polaroids or other shots are usually sufficient. A series of expensive photos is a waste of money.

Tips On "Print Books" And Videos

• If you want your pictures and résumé in a print book, do some investigating first. Find out who gets the book, then call them to see how much they actually use it. Ask the publishers how they market the book, and if they have working relationships with agents and casting directors. Try to get their names and do the fact checking yourself.
• In particular, if the models in a print book don't look too promising to you, use your own judgment about its legitimacy. It's better to stay clear of a dubious "opportunity" that might end up costing you money.
• If you want to put your work on videotape, hire an experienced videographer, preferably one who specializes in taping actors' scenes and monologues. Always view samples of their work before you hire them.

Tips On Modeling And Acting Schools

• Modeling schools do not transform people into models. While the schools can teach you how to dress, walk and apply make-up, there are very strict criteria for modeling, especially in high fashion.
• Decide what you want from a school before you make a decision that can cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Some schools will accept all applicants, regardless of their real chance of making a career in the business. Others are more discerning and will be honest about your chances, given your talent, measurements and looks. Still others won't take you unless they believe you really have the potential to work in the business.
• Whether you are looking for an acting coach or teacher or a modeling school, talk to former and current students, audit classes and try to interview the prospective teacher first. If you can't meet the teacher personally, check out his or her résumé - before you sign up.

Tips On Job Interviews

• Where there's smoke, there's usually fire. If you are ever asked to go on an interview at a residence, or if you have any odd feelings about the legitimacy of an interview, stop immediately. Feel free to bring a relative or friend along on interviews, a common practice that is not considered unprofessional.
• If you are sent on an upsetting interview, immediately tell your agent and your union, if you are a member of one. If your allegations are serious enough, your agent may avoid work with that client in the future or at least spare you from having to deal with the client again.
• Whenever discussing a contractual relationship, the number one rule to follow is: Get it in writing. Never rely on a verbal agreement, even with someone you trust.
• Keep a copy of whatever is signed, even if it's a simple note or application form. Never be pressured into signing anything without thoroughly considering the deal. If you are refused a copy of the contract - or the copy machine is "broken" - do not give them any money.

What Parents Should Know

• Be wary of solicitations in the mail offering to represent your child for modeling and acting, or seminars to view your child. If you are asked to pay hundreds of dollars for photographic services, run, don't walk, the other way. Kids, generally do not need professional shots until they are at least five years old.
• Before you sign a contract, call or write your state's Department of Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau to check on a company's complaint record and licensing status.
• Read all contracts carefully before signing.
• Do not give any personal information to anyone who approaches you and says they want to make your child a star. Instead, take his or her business card and do some fact checking before calling them.

The Screen Test Scam

• If you respond to an ad you saw in the paper, in a magazine, on the TV, on the radio, on a billboard ad, on a bus ad, in a mailing or any other media source and you are asked (or pressured) into paying a fee for a "screen test" and an "objective" evaluation to determine if you or your child has what it takes to become an actor or model, DON'T DO IT!!!!
• Such "screen tests" and "evaluations" are scams. They are a complete waste of money and time. If you do decide to pay the fee, you will be manipulated into paying more fees for more "services" of little to no value. You will not obtain any significant agency representation or any significant acting or modeling work as a result of the screen test, evaluation or any other over-priced services you are sold.
• It is simply the wrong way to go about seeking representation and getting acting or modeling work - no matter what claims the scammers make.

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