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Show Business Scam defensives- offensives from Norm
subject: Show Biz Scams
Show Biz Scams
How badly do you really want to be ...
an actor, announcer or a model?
by SAG & AFTRA members Raymond B. Normandeau and Rita Frazier Normandeau
Normandeau Newswire- Hopefully the information below, written with a great deal
of help from a brochure put out by the State of New York Department of Law will
help bring you a fun filled successful career. The alternative is not fun, so
read this all carefully and discuss it with others. The original brochure was
published with the cooperation of the American Federation of Television and
Radio Artists, NY Local. This article was also syndicated thru the Normandeau
Newswire on the Invention Factory BBS at 212-274-8110.
*THE CAST*
There are many fine legitimate agents, managers and directors in the
entertainment business. Their services are invaluable to the clients they
represent. But there are also many unscrupulous people around who will promise
falsely that for a fee they will make you rich and famous.
To protect yourself, deal only with a cast of characters that's strictly
legitimate. Here's a rundown of the players and a brief description of their
legitimate role.
THEATRICAL AGENTS: Talent or model agencies are licensed by the state and their
fees are limited by law. (General Business Law article 11) They are legally
entitled to be paid a fixed commission of not more than 10% only after you have
landed the job and been paid for your work.
There are some talent agents who are also franchised by one or more of the
performers unions (This includes, as a rule, the larger and more well-known
agents and agencies.) Their names can be obtained from any of the union offices
serving your area. Just look up; AFTRA, AEA, SAG, AGMA or AGVA listed in your
phone book. These are the unions to which professional performers belong to.
PERSONAL MANAGERS: They are not state licensed and their fees are not limited by
law. They should provide more comprehensive services than agents, functioning
perhaps as business managers and financial advisers. They may invest
considerable time and money in your career but, like the agent they should not
be paid in advance. Under the law a personal manager who functions as an agent
must be licensed.
CASTING DIRECTORS: Casting consultants are employed by studios, networks,
advertising agencies or producers. They are paid by these companies and not by
the people they hire.
PROTECT YOURSELF-
FOLLOW THESE CUES
Here are some things to watch our for:
*PHONY ADS*
Avoid advertisements in the Help Wanted columns, newspapers or trade journals
that say "new faces wanted" for commercials, modeling or movies, and that "no
experience is necessary." These ads often promise a very high salary. Many of
them may be come-ons in order to collect advance fees from the unsuspecting
applicant.
In New York it is illegal to advertise the availability of show business related
employment when payment of an advance fee is a requirement for such
employment.(Arts and Cultural Affairs Law Section 3707).
*UNSCRUPULOUS AGENTS OR MANAGERS*
Unscrupulous agents or managers may attempt any, or a combination, of the
following tactics.
1. ASK FOR FEES in advance, a "registration fee" is always a worthless
investment. This is the main characteristic that distinguishes a legitimate
business from a phony one.
Legitimate agents and true personal managers work on a commission. They don't
get any money unless and until you get paid for doing the work they have
obtained for you. Never pay a fee in advance to an agent or manager for
photographs, audition tapes or other services. Under New York law, (Arts and
Cultural Affairs Law Section 3707) it is illegal for an agent or manager to
accept any retainer or advance fee in return for services except as,
(a) repayment for expenses actually incurred for the consumer.
(b) agreed commissions based on payments received by a consumer as a result of
a show business job.
2. ARRANGE FOR A TEST where you are asked to read a scene or a commercial. The
agent then says you have "a lot of talent" but that it needs to be developed.
The phony agent or manager may insist that you take acting lessons at a
particular school or from particular teacher. You may be told to buy expensive
photographs, audition tapes, or other services or materials sold by someone he
refers you to.
3. CLAIM HE HAS A CONTRACT To cast for a legitimate studio or producer and asks
you to pay him. Legitimate casting agents never take a fee from the performer.
They are always paid by the producer.
4. URGE YOU TO SIGN a trickily-worded contract full of confusing legal language
by using high-pressure sales tactics.
5. ATTEMPT THE "CHILD STAR" scheme by obtaining lists of children's names from
unsuspecting teachers, or waiting outside school or playground to solicit
children and their parents for so-called show business "opportunities.
*THE COMPANY NAME AND PROPS*
Be wary of a company that uses a name that sounds similar to the name of a
well-known movie studio, TV network, or other established and reputable
organization. This gives the false and misleading impression that the two
companies are connected.
The office may display what unknown to you are merely props, such as cereal
boxes and beverage containers on display shelves. These are merely props to
allow the unsuspecting to fool themselves into thinking that the office cast
talent for commercials for major TV advertisers.
Do not be fooled by the appearance of the office of the phony agent or manager
often filled with photographs of famous people in the business. This conveys the
impression that the agent or manger represents these stars, which is not true.
Remember the location and names of phony agencies may frequently change because
they go out of business to avoid prosecution, then turn up under another name at
another address.
If you really want to investigate whether the phony agent represents a star or
not, call up the union and ask "Who is the agent for so-and-so?"
*SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS*
Training is important to the successful actor, announcer, model, singer or any
other performer. Just as there are many helpful, reputable agents and personal
managers there are also many fine teachers and schools. But there are others
whose only purpose is to take your hard-earned money.
Schools that teach modeling and announcing must be licensed by the State
Education Department. A licensed school is not permitted to guarantee jobs to
its students.
Before you sign up, these schools must show you their job placement rate.
The school contract must contain a refund policy, approved by the state for use
in the event you subsequently drop out.
However, schools that teach dramatic arts, television acting, dancing, music or
fine arts do not have to be licensed.
Remember the following advice when shopping around for a school or teacher.
Avoid schools which use high-pressure sales tactics to get students to register,
for example telling you that "to take advantage of this special offer, you must
act today." Reputable schools do not use such a hard-sell approach.
Ask to watch several classes before you sign up for lessons to see if the
instruction offered meets your needs.
Speak to other students who are already enrolled in the school to learn if they
are pleased with the classes.
Until you are sure the school meets your needs, ask to pay for classes on a per
lesson basis.
Be suspicious of teachers who do not have legitimate credentials and who claim
to produce TV shows, movies or theatrical productions. Check them out carefully.
*CONTRACT*
A contract is a legal document. Never sign a contract before you read it and
understand all its provisions. A contract signed by someone less than eighteen
years old can be cancelled by the person on what the law considers "infancy"
grounds. It is wise to consult an attorney before you sign a contract.
*PHOTOGRAPHS*
Pictures are a necessity. They should be taken by a photographer familiar with
the kind of photos needed for the work you are seeking. Shop around, ask people
already in the field. Do not pay for professional pictures of babies. Usually a
Polaroid type picture that you can take yourself is all that you will need.
*FINAL WORDS*
The performing arts unions can be your best source of information. Their staffs
are knowledgeable and experienced. Consult them at no charge-for specific
information about agents, personal managers, contracts, and the like.
If you are already a union member check to see if your union has free of cost
classes or workshops. For example, if you are a member of Screen Actors Guild in
NYC for only ten dollars a year you have access several times a month to
brainstorming sessions where everything is discussed from bad experiences with
agents to the current hot casting directors to how to use your home computer to
generate mail merge letters. The program is called the Screen Actors Guild
Conservatory Support Group. This can be the best ten dollars ever invested and
is for an entire year. Ray & Rita are Support Group participants.
If you have been scammed, complain to your State Attorney General and ask for
their suggestions for other places to complain to.
If you Email us a complaint we will HAND DELIVER copies of the complaint to:
"Back Stage" as well as to
"Show Biz News and Model News"
in New York City in the hope that they investigate further and do a story.
"Back Stage" is sold mainly on NYC newsstands.
"Show Biz News and Model News" is sold mainly by subscription but they will
send a free sample copy to anyone sending a stamped self-addressed legal size
(#10) envelope to:
John King Publications
150 5th Avenue, Suite 831
New York, NY 10011
Lastly, if you would like more articles like this one, send me Email so that I
can see if there is enough interest to write more.
reply to: [email protected] (Ray Normandeau)
# # #
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