Warning: Avoid this Acting Scam

Don’t let people trick you into paying them money to deliver on promises they can’t keep (side note: the make-up on this shoot took FOREVER)

Unfortunately in the acting and modeling industry, there are many people who prey on folks who have a dream. They know enough about the industry to tell you what you want to hear, but don’t have the knowledge, experience or contacts to turn your dream into a reality. Any acting scam and modeling scam is costly. They cost aspiring actors and models money, time, and trust at a point in their lives when they are especially vulnerable.

I want to share a personal story of when I almost fell victim to a scam. At the beginning of my career, I went to an open call where a “N.Y.” agent was scouting for actors and models living in a small market.

I met with them. They told me how they would begin submitting me for TV and Film projects in N.Y. Naturally, I was very excited for the opportunity to break out of my smaller market.

At the end of the meeting, I was told they wanted thousands of dollars to represent me. I knew this was not right, but being early in my career, I wasn’t 100% sure. They gave me a contract to sign on the spot. I was uncomfortable about the situation, so I told them that I needed to take the contract home and read it over. They then told me that if I did not sign it on the spot, I apparently was not serious about my career and they would have no interest in working with me. I was also told that if I did not sign the agreement, I would never get the chance to work in New York.

The reason why the agent acting scam works is because the allure of booking big-time roles and jobs is very real and frankly very understandable

I decided to stick with my gut and not sign the contract on the spot. Later that year, I was able to get a legitimate agent in New York and have been working in that market ever since.

Looking back at that situation, I was very fortunate (and lucky) to have made the right decision. I wasn’t well-educated on what an agent can and can’t do for you, which is how a lot of actors fall prey to this scam. Many actors just don’t have the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions about what to do or what not to do. Another reason why avoiding this scam is so tough is because actors want to achieve their dreams and be successful. When you are put in a situation where you think this might be your one and only chance, it is tough to walk away.

It genuinely angers me to see so many people, who have real talent and desire, get burned by an acting scam. It isn’t fair to them and it damages their ability to trust people moving forward.

Additional Video Blogs to Watch

How to Make Sure Your Agent and Booking is Legit

Watch Out for this New Scam

Avoiding the Agent Acting Scam

To help actors avoid this acting scam, I put together a Secrets to Finding and Working with an Agent video to educate actors about agents.

In the video, I interview Marc Soper, who owns and runs Carolina Talent, which is an incredible agency. Their talent has had actors work on projects such as: Netflix’s House of Cards , The Walking Dead, Are You Here, and HBO’s Vice Principals to name a few.

By the end of the video, you will learn:

• How to find great agents in local and distant markets
• What questions you need to ask to make sure the agent is legit, including how to prepare for your first agent meeting
• What makes agents want to work and not work with talent, and what agents expect all actors and models to do and have before signing them
• Secrets to getting your agent to work hard for you
• What all talent must do when you are not happy with your agent

Bonuses (these must have bonuses are worth the entire investment of the video!)

When you order this video, you will receive two must-have bonuses:

• A link giving you access and contact information to over 400 agents across the U.S.
• An essential guide of 12 questions and things to look for when meeting with an agent

Order the Finding a Legitimate Agent and Avoiding an Acting Scam Video Now

You can learn how to find an agent and receive the bonuses by ordering the video by clicking here.

About the Author: Aaron Marcus

Aaron Marcus has been a full-time actor and commercial model for over 36 years. His new book, How to Become a Successful Actor and Model is an Amazon Best Seller. Aaron has given his seminar: "Book the Job" over 800 times spanning 3 continents. He also offers online workshops. Aaron saves 5 days each month to give private on-line coaching sessions. Subscribe to his Acting and Modeling Quick Tips Channel and have free access to 270 + videos <ahttps://www.youtube.com/c/aaronmarcusactingandmodelingquicktips?sub_confirmation=1.