Question:
What are some of the modeling/acting scams out there?
Addicted.
2009-07-16 14:17:05 UTC
I keep hearing about some like Industry Model, IMTA, John Robert Powers, etc.
Eleven answers:
2009-07-16 23:43:19 UTC
1. Exploretalent- Overcharges for castings that you can find for free ie Craigslist. They also steal breakdowns from legit sites like Actors Access and post it as their own. Most of what they steal are outdated and posted without the original poster's consent.



2. One Source Talent-Similar to Explore talent. They charge you $400 to have a digital comp card on their site with a $30 monthly fee. They tell you to use their photographer that charges at least another $500-800. The only CDs that they work with are reality show ones ie. MTV, VH1



3. John Robert Powers-It's a crappy franchise that banks on a famous and DEAD agent's name. They charge a ridiculous price and claim that many celebrities went through the school such as John Wayne, Lucille Ball, etc. NONE of them did!



4. John Casablancas-Crappy franchise like JRP. Dishonest business practices as well.



5. Keith Wolfe-Career consultant who charges $400 to hook you up with scammy agencies like Dedicated and Don Gerler(Doug Bennet). False promises.



6. Hollywood Company/Model One Casting-Charge up front fees for extra work that doesn't exist and management services. They claim that they're sister companies with Central Casting, a legit extras casting service. THEY AREN'T!



7. Infinitetalent-Same as OneSource



8. Actorsreps-Scammy agency. Mostly deal with extra work.



9. EAM Casting/Mediaentertainment1.com-Google "Bill Starkov" and you'll see that this company scammed a lot of people.



10. Dedicated-Originally Zanuck, Passon, and Pace, one of the scammiest agencies in L.A. When they were ZPP they would make their clients use their photographer and take their classes. They also made you get 10 character shots such as literally dressing up like a doctor, cop, construction worker, etc. You don't get character shots! Dedicated is still up to this scheme.



11. Michael Zanuck-Split from Dedicated in hopes of bettering his reputation, but still up to the same schemes. He at least makes you get 6 character shots instead of 10.



12. Doug Bennett of Don Gerler-He makes you get 15 character shots. Wastes your time with multiple 2 hour interviews, consisting of him mostly talking. If you thought the agent movie stereotype was phony, think again.



13. Sylvia Ferguson- Charges $140 a year for this bogus casting service called E-Talent files. She entices potential clients into getting the service by saying it will help better their chances.



14. Talent6-Inferior casting site.



15. Barbizon-Exposed on Dateline!



16. Kevyn Major Howard-Overcharges and underdelivers. Does a lot of things that agents/cds hate with regards to headshots. He's also known to hit on hot girls during photo shoots.



17. MMPRG- Scammy management company



18. Model Management Inc-Upfront fees. Another ONESOURCE.



19. Talent Hunter-Another inferior casting site. They post "urgent" e-mails from supposed CDs wanting to audition you in their projects. In order to respond you would have to pay the Talent Hunter fee to leave reply messages on the site!



20. Actor's Club (they advertise fake breakdowns on other sites and then when you submit for the "project", they tell you to go to the "Actor's Club" site to fill out a profile. Only after you have done all that do they tell you about the fees. PRESTO they have your email and then they SPAM you forever to join their site.



21. Talent Jug- Like Explore Talent where it takes castings from other casting sites. They also mysteriously get your email and spam you.



22.ACT-Another JRP. Exposed on ABC News.



23. Pinkerton Model And Talent-Not state licensed. Lynn Venturella Pinkerton has been known to be associated with various scams notably "Best New Talent" an over priced weekend seminar where you pay ridiculous amounts to audition, be judged, and possibly "be discovered."



24. Best New Talent-need I say more?



25. Instantcast.com-Another Explore Talent



26. Proscout-Another one of those overpriced seminars where you pay big bucks in hopes to get "discovered." The creators claim that Wilhelmina and Ford was involved with their creation, when Wilhelmina and Ford have made it clear that they are NOT involved with this. False promises galore! They also give your contact info to scammy schools like John Casablancas, JRP, etc.



27. TCA/Teri- For $100, she claims that she can get you SAG vouchers from extra work quickly. There have been multiple reports of her FAILING to deliver as promised!



28. Triple C Productions/Curtis Arsenal-Independent film production company that has been reported to ask $200 upfront to help with the distribution.



29. Elen's Kids (elenskids.com)- There have been multiple reports of this "agency" charging upfront fees of $599, inferior headshot services, and false promises. Possibility of it being linked to Kids.com a company that was exposed on Dateline.



30. Kids.com/AdKids (Justourkids.com)-Exposed on Dateline.



31. Arc Talent-Management company that charges $50/month.



32. Moxie Talent-Run by the scammy agent from Dedicated, Melissa Cohen. She goes under a psuedonym Lisa Scarola.



33. Go Hollywood Casting- Scammy management company that charges ridiculous upfront fees.



34. IMTA-Overpriced and overpopulated conventions where people go in hopes of getting "discovered" Exposed on Dateline.



35. IPOP-John Robert Power's version of IMTA.
Tyson
2014-07-31 06:29:57 UTC
What people don't understand is that yeah you might have to pay some of these sites for their services but exploretalent works with you and they really do help you get auditions. THe people commeneting are probably upset that they aren't getting any roles so they are blaming this sites. These sites jobs are to get you auditions and opportunities just because you get an auditions that doesn't mean you're going to get a job. I've had much success with exploretalent I've gotten paid modeling gigs i would of been an extra in ride along 2 if it wasn't for schedule conflicts. It's a bit pricey but the good thing about it is that whatever you make it all goes to you. I've gotten a lot of legit callbacks from people all reputable companies. You must undrstand acting is 1% acting and 99% percent looking for jobs. People want that instant stardom right away but it doesn't work that way a lot of people were extras with nonspeaking roles before they started Slyvester Stallone, Samuel L Jackson,Denzel Washington,ect. There were actors who actually paid to have professional pictures done does that mean they got scammed? No it doesn't because photographers have to put food on their plate too. People say everything is a scam but with no legit evidence or data that supports and to the people surprised by the fees. ALLfor the price information is right on the website and package information! From explore talent I've received casting calls event gigs and paid modeling all legit so just because something didn't workout for any of you doesn't mean you gotta go out there and deter aspiring actors and actresses from taking a step.. It's not a scam if all the information is rin front of your face
2009-07-16 14:21:26 UTC
Any agency that asks YOU to pay THEM money is a full-on scam. If you are model material, they will make it happen without forcing you to pay them. Simple as that.



EDIT: barbizon has been around for ages but they are more of a model-type training camp. They offer summer/evening/weekend classes where you pay a huge fee and learn about etiquette, posing, walking, grooming, etc. It's basic and there's no guarantee that you will become famous or get any bookings from taking their classes. Also, have you ever heard of any famous model being 'discovered' by Barbizon? Nope.



Research some models you admire and find out which agencies currently represent them. Those will be the good places to start.The best one that comes to mind is Ford Models (NYC). Send in a picture and if they like you, they will contact you. Believe me.
officialjessgarcia
2009-07-16 14:45:49 UTC
All the talent agencies and talent managments that ask for upfront fees is a total scam. Some major business that are known for scam are John Robert Power, One Source Talent, and Explore Talent. These are known for scamming other minor ones are Actors Pages.
Quest4questions
2009-07-16 14:21:35 UTC
If they ask you to pay them, they are probably a scam.

If they tell you, you need pictures but only allow you to buy them from certain photographers, they are probably getting a kickback and are also a scam.

Legit places make money by getting you work, (as they take a percentage of your earnings).
?
2017-01-02 18:18:27 UTC
Arc Talent Management
2009-07-16 14:32:57 UTC
http://www.modelingscams.org/ -- look on the menu on the left to read about the various scams to watch out for



Also here http://albamodel.info/scams.php

http://albamodel.info/latest.php?ID=78



And acting scams to watch out for http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/20752/acting_scams_how_fake_talent_agents.html
cathi
2016-04-22 03:40:47 UTC
Throughout this course you will learn concepts that range in scope from beginner photography all the way to advanced topics in post production, composition, and light. https://tr.im/7tlHg

You can start right now. Like right this very moment! The course is all online. There are no deadlines or timelines for you to follow. Set your own pace! Go slowly through the course or blaze through it.
Acting
2009-07-17 19:11:23 UTC
I have found that Explore Talent is a very good option and nowhere in the realm of a scam. Anyone that states something is a scam should provide proof of this type of accusation. There are far too many promising actors out there that might miss an opportunity listening to people that just spout off.



You might want to check out a couple of links with respect to Explore Talent:

Backstage.com

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/922105/m/16010666?r=933102012#933102012

"Same thing as Melissa I signed up for Talent Hunter as well and it was really bad most of the auditions you have to mail your resume which if you do that you might as well go to the productions site to get the best address and not the one that's sure to see yours in the can. I signed up for explore talent as well and have had more auditions from them. In face I would get the audition information from explore talent two to six weeks earlier than Talent Hunter. Don't make my mistake."



Backstage.com

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9131061/m/352101522?r=196101622#196101622

Actually i got to go to a go see for a hair show off of Craigslist and it was a legit place with actual pay! When i asked some other girls how they found out about it Some said Explore Talent! I thought that was funny.



Taltopia.com

http://www.taltopia.com/articles/25/The-Best-Places-for-Actors-to-Find-Casting-Calls-Online



I could probably find more for you, but the real point is that if you are aggressive and persistent, you will be successful. Just don't limit yourself because you heard that anyone that something is a scam. That's ridiculous.



Okay, couldn't help it...here's a couple more links:

Julia Ling from the hit show Chuck started her career on Explore Talent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obtzMpot7QA&feature=channel_page



Bobby Banhart of A Shot At Love starring Tila Tequila was hired for the show from Explore Talent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5s5TLqlOwI&feature=channel_page



Former LACasting member that joined Explore Talent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiYuVunbpjs&feature=channel_page



Hired for leading role Feature Film after Casting Director saw headshot on Explore Talent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvXGgOcSegc&feature=channel_page



Former ActorsAccess member that joined Explore Talent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fumeq_3m6s&feature=channel_page



Okay, I could go on but I think you get the picture. Good Luck
?
2017-02-09 05:43:25 UTC
1
2009-07-16 14:20:43 UTC
If any one asks you to suck their wang, its a scam!


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