No legitimate company in any industry sends your pay before the work is done. The film industry is no different. You are hired. You do the job well. You get paid.
There is currently a widespread scam to get actors to cash a check sent in advance of an acting job (sometimes for several thousand dollars), then they are asked to send a payment to another party for wardrobe, styling, props, etc.
Of course, the actor will think that the check has cleared, pay this other individual (which goes through), and is then shocked to have that money deducted from their account when the bank learns that it is fraudulent. In some cases, the perpetrators create fake checks from legitimate company accounts which are later reported and corrected.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...
Part 2:
The traveling groups that target cities and towns all across America are numerous. They change names and leaders, but they are easy to spot since their tactics remain the same: Promise stardom if you just give them enough money.
This is NOT how the film industry works. You cannot buy your way into landing a great agent and booking roles in Movies & TV Shows.
Do people sometimes sign with agents at the very-expensive conferences that you pay to attend? Yes, or they would not stay in business. But for the most part, it is a vacation for the industry professionals that attend. Who would not want to be paid to watch a few actors in Orlando or Las Vegas AND receive an all-expenses paid vacation (yes, you are paying for it).
There are 2 tactics that seem to be consistently used:
1) You (or your child) are incredibly talented. I am not saying that you are not, but I do guarantee you that everyone that walks through their doors is hearing the same thing. One online reviewer described it this way: "You are the diamond among the stones."
The industry does not work that way. Any successful actor will tell you that it takes hard work and dedication, not some "it" factor.
2) You must make a decision today. This causes kids/teens to pressure their parents into saying yes. They know that if you go home and sleep on it, you may change your mind so they have to get you to say yes now.
Once again, the industry does not work that way. There is never a need to sign up for a class or sign with an agent prior to being able to think about it or talk it over with industry professionals.
The path is so easy that it seems hard: 1) Professional training from industry professionals. 2) Headshots. 3) Legitimate Agent.
More details here:
http://southerncastingcouch.blogspot.com/…/getting-started-…
http://southerncastingcouch.blogspot.com/…/getting-started-…
