Acting Scams

Acting scams are not common and you’ll find the 99.9% of casting notices are perfectly fine.

However very occasionally you might come across a scam casting call.

This page explains what scams you might see and how you can easily avoid any type of trouble.

There are 2 basic types of scams aimed at actors:

• scams to get money out of you
• scams to get nudes

Both are very easy to avoid.

Golden Rules to avoid the scams

Quite simply when it comes to money:

• NEVER pay to go to an AUDITION!
• NEVER pay an AGENT or the PRODUCTION or WARDROBE or anyone else
• NEVER accept payment by cheque unless you’re sure of the production

When it comes to nudes:

• NEVER send nude pictures or videos to a casting director

When it comes to personal information:

• Don’t send original documents (e.g. passports)
• Feel free to pixelate out sensitive information

And finally:

• Follow your instincts; if it smells bad then it probably is

Simple, eh? Follow these rules and you won’t go wrong.

Here is a little more on why you need to remember and follow these golden rules.

If an audition asks for just a few euros for you to attend, then don’t pay and don’t go.

It’s a rip off. You may be entirely unsuited for any role but they’ll still ask you along anyway just to get money. Meanwhile all you get is a wasted day.

If an agent asks for a fee up-front (or even monthly) to represent you, walk away. An agent makes money when they get work for you – if you give them money already, why should they even bother to try and get you work?

Oh, and if an agent will only represent you if you use their “in-house” photographer for some headshots, then walk away. An agent might recommend a photographer but always shop-around and don’t consider them if they insist you use their choice.

And sometimes they will only represent you if you take one of their courses. Again, walk away. Legitimate agents will sometimes offer optional courses; but if they insist you pay to take one of their courses then walk away.

Remember, if a legitimate agent thinks you’re good then they’ll represent you without asking for a cent.

Occasionally you might have to put money forward to pay for your own transport to set, for example. But if this happens then you buy the ticket (don’t send them the money to do it for you) and you arrange the transport and check with the production to get it reimbursed (if that’s been agreed beforehand).

But other than that, you should never pay a single cent to a production for anything: clothes, catering, transport on site,whatever. If a production offers you a job as an actor and then asks for any money in any form whatsoever, then walk away!

If you’ve already done the job you might get paid by cheque. It’s not common, but it does happen and if it’s a genuine production there’s nothing to worry about.

But… sometimes the production will overpay you by cheque and this is a problem.

This scam pops up every so often and not just in the acting industry. Be extremely careful if the production offers you a cheque and here’s why.

If a CD asks for nudes then walk away! You can read about this here.

If you have any questions or concerns about a possible acting scam, then by all means feel free to get in touch with us and we will help.

In fact, we’d like to hear from you so we can make sure this page stays up to date and we can warn others!