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Model and Talent Scams

FTC Fast Facts - Modeling Agency Scams

Facts for Consumers - Federal Trade Commission

Fast Facts

Bureau of Consumer Protection Office of Consumer & Business Education

202-326-3650

How the Scam Works

Dreams of you or your child becoming the next famous entertainer from Texas are harmless, but they can make you easy prey for frauds. All too often consumers have been victimized by false promises of money, exposure and stardom. There are also many unscrupulous people around who will promise that for a fee they will make you rich and famous. They usually don't tell you that most entertainers, with years of training and experience, have trouble finding work. Although it can happen, the chances for a new face to break into the business are slim. There have been at least five talent "scams" in the Panhandle within the last year. As the production industry keeps growing in Texas there are sure to be more.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently took action against two modeling "agencies" that placed ads in newpapers to encourage potential models and actors of all ages to interview with the agency. Many of the ads stated "No fee." However, the models and actors who were "selected by these agencies were asked to sign a contract agreeing to pay several hundred dollars for classes or photographs that the agency required before they could work as models or actors. In the end, most of the would-be talent received no job assistance and no talent development assistance from the agencies, no job leads and no modeling employment. In numerous instances, the potential talent did not even receive the photographs that they had paid for.

San Francisco Assistant D.A. Carol Hehmeyer says the typical scam is run by an unlicensed talent agency, "They will advertise that they can get you a job and you'll become convinced that this is your door to Hollywood and fame, and pay them a lot of money for that privilege. The typical mode of operation will be radio ads and sometimes newspaper ads or even help wanted ads. You will get an initial ten-minute interview. Then you'll get a phone call saying how "lucky"you are; that out of 500 people, they pick you. You are a winner. They tell you you've just been chosen and they want to get the ball rolling on your career, so in order to do that they need you to take a class or you need to go to a convention so you can learn a little bit about the acting or modeling industry. Many of these conventions have thousands of attendees and you will only see a "representative" of an agency. Also you may only be in front of the "representative" for 30 seconds or less. "The problem is when you're told that you were chosen out of 500 people that they interviewed you think you are going to get work because you're very special. How can they assess your potential with one look at you? In truth they make that call to everyone. Sometimes they call at a later date saying that they made a mistake and that your name was on the list. Only a licensed agency can offer to find you work in either the acting or modeling fields.

Here are some things to watch out for in public solicitation:

* The phony ad in newspapers, radio or TV that says "new faces wanted" for commercials, modeling or movies, and that "no experience is necessary". These ads often appear in the Help Wanted columns of even major newspapers, and they often print alluring salary ranges.

* The company that says they are ready to begin filming a movie and are looking for extras or new faces. Usually the movie does not exist, and if the movie does exist the production company pays for any kind of casting call. No legitimate production company will ever charge a fee to register talent or to take your picture in a cattle call situation. Also, no legitimate production company will ever conduct a workshop much less charge a fee for a workshop. Production companies work closely with the state film commission and with the film commission at the location of filming. A quick call to either film commission will answer many questions you might have.

* Beware of the company that wants to charge a fee for a "talent registry" or "talent directory" of any kind whether it be photos, video or CD-ROM. Unsolicited photos and videos to a casting director go straight to the trashcan. Also, to register talent in this way one must be licensed and bonded as a talent agent. Ask to see a copy of the clients to whom they were sent. Do those clients realy use the books or do they go straight to the trashcan? Joe Barone, who served on the national board of directors of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists from 1984-1991, was on the casting committee for the Screen Actors Guild in the late 1980's, and conducted commercial and theatrical acting seminars for casting directors in Hollywood at the American Film Institute twice a week from 1984-1990, says "Casting directors do not use unsolicited registries and books that they receive from around the world." Casting directors will not bring an unknown or new face in for an audition or hire anyone from out-of-town for featured parts or as extras without a submission from a credible agent and usually in the form of a taped audition for a specific part.

* There are a few fraudulent sales techniques to watch out for. A registration fee or advance fee is the main characteristic that distinguishes a legitimate talent agency from a phony one. Legitimate agents work on a commission. (Usually 10% for commercial & 15% for print work) They don't get any money unless and until you get paid for doing the work they have obtained for you. The phony agent may insist that you take lessons at a particular school or from a particular teacher, or may try to get you to buy expensive photographs, audition tapes, portfolios, clothing, make-up or other services or materials sold by them. They tell you that they will not represent you if you don't. Always ask for a list of professional teachers who are familiar with the audition process and a list of professional photographers who will conduct a professional sitting and who know what casting directors are looking for in a headshot or a fashion shoot. Make sure if you are an actor that you get an actor's headshot not a model's fashion shoot and vice versa. "A talent agency may not charge, as a condition of registering any applicant or representing any artist, a registration or advance fee and may not require the applicant to subscribe to, use, or use the services of any specific publication, video or audio tapes, post card service, advertisement service, resume service, or modeling school", from Texas Talent Agency Act, Texas Civil Statues, Article 5221a-9, Section 2.(b).

* Is the agent's time spent finding work for actors and/or models or is it spent selling products and services? Ask for a list of credits showing the work the agency has gotten for their talent.

* Beware of the agent or manager who contacts you by mail or telephone without introduction or referral and wants to arrange an appointment to conduct an evaluation of you or your children's modeling potential. Legitimate successful agents are besieged at their places of business by hopefuls and do not need to resort to such practices. If the agent has not seen pictures of you or been referred to you by a mutual acquaintance, he or she is probably more concerned with your pocketbook than your potential. This information is taken from "Do You Want to be an Actor or a Model" brochure from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

* The company name that sounds similar to the name of a well-known movie studio, TV network, or other reputable organization. This is used to give the false impression that the two are connected.

Where to Go For Help

The main rule of thumb is that if there is a fee involved it is probably not legitimate. If you have a question or are not satisfied there are other offices that can help answer questions or register complaints. Besides the state and local film commissions, there are the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, The State of Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the State Attorney General's office and the Better Business Bureau.

If you have paid money to a modeling/talent agency or company from out of town and believe they are involved in a scam, first contact the company and request a refund. If you are not satisfied, register a complaint with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, State Attorney General's Office and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Also, contact the advertising manager of the newspaper that ran the ad, the radio station and the hotel that booked the company. For ethical and practical reasons their advertising managers may be interested to learn about any problems you have had with the company.

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For more information contact us at:
Anderson Model & Talent Agency
2722 West 6th Street, Amarillo, Texas 79106
Phone 806-374-1159 & Fax 806-374-2420
E-mail: talent@netjava.com

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