TV and Movie Casting

The Actor's Journey is here. Now you can learn the "ins and outs" of the business from known and respected actors, producers, directors, agents, managers and other industry professionals who have been interviewed in great depth about what it means and how to become an actor without falling prey to the pitfalls rip-offs and heartbreak that are so prevalent in the industry.

For more info on The Actors Journey and how to succeed in this business and avoid potentially devastating pitfalls. Click here

A WARNING: ACTORS - BE AWARE OF SCAMS AND IMPOSTORS!
At this time, and in many cities across the United States, there are a plethora of Companies, Organizations and Individuals setting up businesses in your area for the sole purpose of exploiting a beginning actor's lack of knowledge about how the entertainment industry actually works in relation to procuring new talent and finding work. Please be advised that - without going into the specific names of these companies - these businesses run the gamut: from offering poorly taught classes by inexperienced teachers - to outright SCAMS and FRAUDULENT OPERATIONS.

All of these companies have one thing in common: they operate entirely outside scope and regulation of the mainstream entertainment industry. These type of companies and organizations are not sanctioned, condoned, or policed in any manner by the professional members of the entertainment industry! Professional members of the entertainment community go out of their way to disassociate themselves from these type of operations. They do not want their good names and reputations tainted or tarnished by association with these type of businesses or activities.

It should be noted that the businesses and organizations that engage these type of deceptive and predatory practices are "experts" at presenting themselves as legitimate and bone-fide Talent Search Companies, Acting Schools, Modeling Schools, Talent Scouts and/or Talent Consultants. They employ highly sophisticated radio, TV and print ads to lure new and unsuspecting talent to their places of business. However, these companies exist only to exploit YOU for financial gain. They do this by exploiting all new talent's intense desire to break into the industry and his or her lack of knowledge about how the industry really operates when it comes to the discovery of new talent. These companies invariably make extraordinary PROMISES of "introductions" to talent agents, talent managers and casting directors. Many of these companies promise actors "shortcuts" into the industry and "rewards" of film or stage work. Some companies promise that you'll be the next Lindsey Lohan, Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESE ARE ALL LIES AND SALES TACTICS DESIGNED TO GET YOU TO SIGN A LONG-TERM CONTRACT FOR CLASSES AND HAND OVER SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY. We know you are in a hurry to get where you want to go - but...actors, do not toss away or ignore your intuitions and common sense.

The "REAL" entertainment industry, and the legitimate businesses and individuals associated with it, will NEVER "PROMISE" an actor - or anyone else for that matter - ANYTHING. After an actor's initial training period, finding a path into the legitimate part of the entertainment industry is a task each and every actor faces alone. Any company or any individual offering to help you or assist you in any way - FOR A FEE - IS NOT LEGITIMATE!!!

THIS MAY SEEM DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE, BUT THIS IS HOW THE LEGITIMATE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY ACTUALLY WORKS:
An actor gets his or her initial training. When the actor completes his or her initial training and is confident in his or her level of ability and skill - the actor has his or her first photo session and walks away with his or her first industry headshot. The actor uses this headshot as an initial "calling card" to the industry in an attempt to interest agents, managers in representation - and to give to casting directors, producers and directors in an initial attempt to get professional work.

The only thing actors are REQUIRED TO PAY FOR is their acting classes and training, textbooks and other materials related to their education as an actor - and their photographic needs (a photo session, a master headshot and duplicates made from that master photo to distribute to the industry). The Entertainment Industry DOES NOT CHARGE FEES to MEET agents, managers or casting directors. The industry DOES NOT CHARGE FEES to sign with a legitimate agent or manager. The industry DOES NOT CHARGE FEES for access to auditions or interviews for legitimate industry acting work. The ONLY TIME an actor pays an agent or manager is from INCOME EARNED as a direct result of ACTUAL ACTING WORK. A fee (of 10% of the gross amount earned), called a commission, is paid to the agent. A commission is also paid to the manager - if an actor has a manager (generally 15% - sometimes more depending on the arrangement the actor has with the manager).

If you - as an actor - encounter anything other than the above description as to how the industry works - don't walk...RUN... from the organization company or individual as fast as you can. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER or YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS. You can use the money you just saved to live and exist on while you learn to do the right things and break into the "real" industry the right way.

The worst feeling in the world is to be deceived and to be taken advantage of financially. Not only is money lost on a worthless enterprise - but weeks, months and sometimes even years are wasted. Actors are forced to regroup financially and start over. This scenario has happened to thousands of unsuspecting and naive actors early in their careers. In every case of this type of exploitation - new talent does not discover that they have been "played" until they reach the end of the course that they signed up for. The promises made by the company do not materialize. The money paid is gone. That horrible moment of truth as to what just happened can be deferred weeks or sometimes months later when the classes end. By then, it is too late. The companies have shuttered their doors and moved on. The more brazen companies keep operating until customer/consumer complaints mount and are posted on the internet for all to see by angry victims - or are made in formal complaints to the city, your local law enforcement officials, and/or the Better Business Bureau. These companies are eventually forced to shut down their operations in a particular city. Generally, the company then moves on to establish operations in the next unsuspecting city. The doors re-open and the next group of parents - and their children or teen - are lured in with print, television and/or radio ads to be the next "Star". ACTORS - DO YOUR HOMEWORK: PLEASE CHECK ON THE INTERNET OR WITH LOCAL CITY AND/OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS FOR COMPLAINTS BEFORE ASSOCIATING YOURSELF WITH ANY TYPE OF TALENT SEARCH OPERATION OR ACTING SCHOOLS THAT OFFER EXPENSIVE CLASSES AND/OR A FAST-TRACK TO STARDOM.

There are other schemes involving the setting up of legitimate, but not inexpensive ACTING SCHOOLS. Sometimes these schools make the same promises as outlined above. Almost all of these type of schools exist solely to financially exploit actors by charging excessive tuitions or fees. These schools are set up by individuals who may have worked briefly in the industry - or who may never have worked in the industry at all. All actors need to exercise extreme caution and take responsibility by investigating the schools online. Also, check with city and or local law enforcement agencies - and/or the Better Business Bureau for prior complaints. Be sure to investigate the school thoroughly BEFORE paying any deposit, fee or tuition for classes. Know what you are getting involved in!

It should be pointed out that some of these larger acting schools are FRANCHISES and are part of a larger parent organizations. Here's how that works: an individual - you...me...anyone... pays the organization a franchise fee for the use of their established company name and for some co-oped advertising. That person is now in business and the proud owner and operator an acting school. That person is not required to have any ability, skills or knowledge of acting or the entertainment industry. That person may have been Joe tge plumber the day before! Invariably the classes at these type of acting-mills are are taught in over-crowded classrooms by teachers with little actual industry or teaching experience - or teaching credentials. Is this really where you want to go to learn acting?

NEVER attend an acting school or a class that won't let you audit to see how the teacher works with his or her students and his or her level of ability and skills as a teacher. Some classes are taught by very frustrated, irritable and disgruntled former actors. This does not make for a good classroom experience Classes should not be over-crowded. Acting in class is not about sitting in a chair and watching. Acting is about getting up each and every week and doing scenes or exercise work.

DON'T BECOME A VICTIM! After an actor's initial training period - but prior to entering the industry - every new actor owes it to him or herself educate him or herself about the business aspects of the industry. Until an actor has been around the business a few years - an actor must be very wary of the companies, organizations and individuals that exist to separate him or her from their hard earned dollars. After, or during, an actor's initial training period an actor must make every attempt to quickly learn everything about the business side of the industry. The more an actor knows, the less likely he or she will be scammed or exploited by the sharks swimming around the periphery of the industry.

SOME RULES TO FOLLOW IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE COMPANY, ORGANIZATION, OR INDIVIDUAL YOU HAVE BEEN SOLICITED BY:

COMPANY or ORGANIZATION - Check the Internet for Complaints. Call Local City or Law Enforcement Agencies as well as the Better Business Bureau regarding complaints. There are almost always complaints about these type of companies and operations ripping people off or giving people nothing for the money they took.

AGENT or MANAGER - Again... check the Internet for Complaints. Call Local City or Law Enforcement Agencies as well as the Better Business Bureau regarding complaints. How long has the agency or manager been in operation? If they just opened their door or charge a fee to represent you or to send you out on auditions - move on!

SEMINARS or WORKSHOPS - If these are taught by legitimate actors, agents, managers, or casting directors -
check them out on the internet - GO TO: www.IMDb.com
Every actor, agent, manager - in fact everyone who has worked IN the mainstream industry has their credits listed on IMDb.com. NOT LISTED? Be suspicious or dubious of all claims and credits made by that person. There are many IMPOSTORS - individuals posing as legitimate agents, managers or casting directors. Many of these individuals are not what they seem to be or who they say they are. Many of these individuals have never worked a day in the industry. Some of these "self-appointed experts" were merely ASSISTANTS to or the SECRETARIES of legitimate agents, managers or casting directors. These individuals overstate their importance, their reputations - and their industry credits or associations. BEWARE!

ACTING SCHOOLS - Unless you are going to an acting school in New York or Los Angeles - or are attending the theater arts or cinema department of a prestigious university - most acting school charge realistic and moderate fees to attend classes. All legitimate private acting schools allow free audits of classes and teachers before paying to attend. Again - check for over-crowded classrooms. Make sure that "Hitler-incarnate" is not teaching the class! Ask to see teaching credentials and/or a resume of the teacher conducting the class or classes. The more experience and background the teacher possesses the more rewarding, enriching and invaluable the class will be for the student actor. If the person teaching the class has little actual industry experience, or real industry credits - what information and skills can they possible impart to you?

NO PROMISES - If any organization, company or acting school promises you an agent, a manager or acting work - based on signing a contract and paying a fee for the company's classes and incredible career launching services - head promptly for the door (and check to make sure you still have your wallet or purse).. Legitimate schools NEVER PROMISE students anything besides the very best in classes taught by the very best teachers.

NO FEES - Paying a modest fee or tuition to attend a legitimate acting class is fine. DO NOT PAY A FEE to obtain representation by an agent or manager. DO NOT PAY A FEE to anyone calling themselves a Talent Consultant (there is no such position in the entertainment industry). NEVER PAY A FEE for a acting job. Beware of anyone requesting an ADVANCE-FEE for any kind of Talent Services.

PART OF WHAT THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY PROJECT IS ATTEMPTING TO ACCOMPLISH IS EDUCATING NEW AND INEXPERIENCED ACTORS - AND THE INTERESTED PUBLIC - ABOUT THE ACTUAL METHODS, PROCESSES AND PROTOCOLS - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE BUSINESS - OR NON-PERFORMANCE - ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY.

ALL OF THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ABOVE - AND MORE - IS INCLUDED IN "THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY" EIGHT VOLUME DVD SET IN THE SEGMENT TITLED: "EXPLOITATION, GRAY AREAS & SCAMS!"

IF YOU STILL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE INFORMATION ABOVE - PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY PROJECT WITH YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE YOU - AND HOPEFULLY, TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE MANY SCAMS, SCHEMES AND GRAY AREAS AS OUTLINED ABOVE.




THE ACTOR'S JOURNEY PROJECT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ACTORS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELS OF ABILITY CREDIBLE AND USEFUL INFORMATION THAT IS FROM THE HIGHEST SOURCES OF
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

For more info on The Actors Journey and how to succeed in this business and avoid potentially devastating pitfalls. Click here...

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