From my extensive experience in the Entertainment Industry, I have determined that the common denominator in almost all acting and modeling scams is upfront fees.
Research into U.S. laws to protect consumers has shown almost every acting and modeling agency law, regulation or rule ever enacted in America prohibits upfront fees. Precedent lawsuits against acting and modeling companies by federal and state government as well as individuals have invariably been filed against those which charged upfront fees.
One of the most recently enacted entertainment industry laws was drafted by a former child actress, who introduced the Advance-Fee Talent Services law. Sheila Kuehl did so at the request of Los Angeles City Attorney James Hahn, because his office had prosecuted modeling/talent scams cases in which "hundreds of parents paid millions of dollars in advance fees to frauds that promised that their children would become stars."
The legitimate talent agency does not charge a fee payable in advance for registering you, for resumes, for public relations services, for screen tests, for photographs, for acting lessons, or for many other services used to separate you from your money. If you are signed as a client by a legitimate talent agency, you will pay such agency nothing until you work and then 10 percent of your earnings as a performer — but nothing in advance.
The importance of securing legitimate and responsible representation cannot be emphasized enough. Agents who ask you for money up front, whether it be for a photo session, composite, head sheet or any other promotional tool, should be avoided. A reputable agent will not ask you for money until you are making money - booking work as a result of the agency has made for you. That is the time to invest in a composite and in the agency book and head sheet. Even then you will probably not be asked for funds up front. These promotional expenses will be deducted from future paychecks.
Things to Remember When Trying to Recognize a SCAM:
Agents do not advertise!
According to the indusrty's EIC Code of Ethics, talent and background agents cannot advertise to the general public.
Agents do not provide photographic services or give classes!
A reputable agent may suggest specific photographers or classes to you but cannot require you to use them.
Children and extras do not need professional-quality photos!
Babies and toddlers never need professional photos. Extras need to provide a snapshot to their agents. Children under the age of ten do not need professional photos unless they are working regularly.
An agent cannot guarantee work!
An agent who tells you that they have work for you must give you a copy of the signed contract along with the details of the job (who is hiring you, what you will be paid, etc.)
Agents are not casting directors!
Agents earn commissions when their clients work. Casting directors are paid by the production and never take money from performers for any reason.
Agents specialize!
Agents usually represent actors, extras or models. Be wary if the agency claims to represent all of these categories.
A principal agent will rarely represent you if you have no experience or training!
Legitimate talent agents usually require actors to have some professional training and some theater or film experience. Only background agents will represent inexperienced people who have no training and will generally try to get them non-speaking roles as extras.
Talent and Modeling Agent Scams
Association of Talent Agents (ATA)
THE ASSOCIATION OF TALENT AGENTS (ATA) is a Los Angeles based nonprofit trade association comprised of over 100 talent agencies primarily located in Los Angeles and New York. ATA's premiere membership includes agencies of all sizes representing artist clients in the motion picture industry, stage, television, radio, commercials and literary work. It is believed that ATA member agencies collectively represent ninety percent (90%) of the working artists. ATA member agencies collectively employ an estimated one thousand talent agents.
The birth of ATA (originally known as Artists' Managers Guild in 1937) is tied substantially to a proliferation of talent unions and guilds that formed after the Supreme Court upheld the Wagner Act. As the creative unions emerged, each sought a process to create a formal relationship between their members and the agents who represented them. ATA's founders created ATA to serve the agents by providing a needed strong united voice to represent agents' interests along with their clients.
Agency Regulations. For over sixty-seven 67 years ATA and NATR (National Association of Talent Representatives) has negotiated agreements with the talent unions and guilds. These include, Screen Actors Guild (SAG Agency Agreement terminated on April 19, 2002 for all franchised agents), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists , Actors' Equity Association (AEA), Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA). ATA and/or NATR are the named bargaining partner in the union agency regulations. These Regulations, along with the California Talent Agency Act and other applicable City and State law, create the foundation upon which the agency business operates.
Services
Agency Regulations require interpretation, construction and advice, which ATA provides to member agencies. The Regulations govern such subjects as the length of representation contracts, commissions, conflict of interest issues, dispute resolution and numerous other issues that affect the agency business. ATA maintains a running dialog with all the unions and guilds and state officials.
ATA is involved in the dispute resolution provided for in various agency regulations and contracts. In some cases, ATA runs a dispute resolution system with Union and Guilds and is currently involved in setting up new procedures post the SAG Agency Franchise termination.
ATA helps member companies, on a daily basis, with commission grievances, contract interpretation and agent employee changes as well as referrals relating to bonds, insurance, health care and more.
ATA's Newsletter and website are great sources, providing up to date information on events affecting talent agencies. The newsletter reports on recent court decisions and ATA's representation of agency interests before the state legislature. ATA takes positions on oral contract disputes, copyright, tax issues, immigration, minors and a host of other matters.
Agents are informed about ATA sponsored symposiums, arbitration decisions, disputes within unions and guilds, new technology and more. ATA's unique tracking system is available for its members' use. The system provides information regarding residual compensation paid to actors under certain circumstances. ATA also offers an online service for locating the ATA (or NATR) agent of an actor. Go to Actor's Agent Search on the ATA website.
SAG Franchised Agents: Phoenix/Tuscon/Scottsdale, AZ
 | Black Agency, Robert |
| 4032 N. MILLER ROAD, NO. 104, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251 | |
| 480-966-2537 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Dani's Agency |
| ONE EAST CAMELBACK ROAD, SUITE 550, PHOENIX, AZ 85012 | |
| 602-263-1918 |
| | Fosi's Talent Agency |
| 2777 N CAMPBELL AVENUE, #209, TUCSON, AZ 85719 | |
| 520-795-3534 |
| | Leighton Agency, Inc |
| 10049 EAST DYNAMITE BLVD SUITE #D125, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85262 | |
| 602-224-9255 |
| | S.I.M. Model/Talent Agency |
| 4554 E INVERNESS AVE STE 134, MESA, AZ 85206 | |
| 480-213-0129 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Signature Models & Talent |
| 2600 N. 44TH ST., SUITE #209, PHOENIX, AZ 85008-1521 | |
| 480-966-1102 |
SAG Franchised Agents: Boston, MA
| Maggie, Inc. |
| 35 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116 | |
| 617-536-2639 |
| | Model Club, Inc. |
| 329 COLUMBUS AVE, BOSTON, MA 02116 | |
| 617-247-9020 | |
| Type: Full Service - Youth |
| | Vision Talent Agency |
| 160 OLD DERBY STREET, SUITE 334A, HINGHAM, MA 02043 | |
| 781-749-3077 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
SAG Franchised Agents: Chigaco, Il
| Ambassador Talent Agents |
| 333 N. MICHIGAN AVE, SUITE 910, CHICAGO, IL 60601 | |
| 312-641-3491 |
| | Aria Model & Talent Mgmt. |
| 1017 W WASHINGTON STREET, #2C, CHICAGO, IL 60607 | |
| 312-243-9400 |
| | BMG Talent Group |
| 456 NORTH MAY, CHICAGO, IL 60622 | |
| 312-829-9100 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Baker & Rowley Talent Agency, Inc. |
| 3106 S RACINE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60608 | |
| 312-850-4700 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Big Mouth Talent |
| 935 W. CHESTNUT, SUITE 415, CHICAGO, IL 60622 | |
| 312-421-4400 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Charlie's Talent Agency |
| 1350 OLD SKOKIE ROAD, STE. 201, HIGHLAND PARK, IL 60035 | |
| 847-831-8833 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | DeSanti Talents Inc |
| 700 N GREEN STREET, SUITE 503, CHICAGO, IL 60622 | |
| 312-666-1677 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | E T A Inc |
| 7558 S CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60619 | |
| 773-752-3955 | |
| Type: Commercial |
| | Encore Talent Agency, Inc. |
| 1732 W HUBBARD STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60622 | |
| 312-738-0230 |
| | Ford Talent Group, Inc. |
| 1017 WEST WASHINGTON, SUITE 2C, CHICAGO, IL 60607-2119 | |
| 312-243-9400 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Geddes Agency |
| 1633 N. HALSTED STREET, SUITE 300, CHICAGO, IL 60614 | |
| 312-787-8333 | |
| Type: Television/Theatrical - Adult |
| | Grossman & Jack Talent, Inc. |
| 230 EAST OHIO STREET, SUITE #200, CHICAGO, IL 60611 | |
| 312-587-1155 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Hamilton, Shirley |
| 333 E ONTARIO, SUITE B, CHICAGO, IL 60611 | |
| 312-787-4700 |
| | Iris Talent Agency, LLC |
| 1932 S. HALSTED #403, CHICAGO, IL 60608 | |
| 312-563-1005 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Jennifer's Talent Unlimited Inc |
| 740 N. PLANKINTON SUITE 300, MILWAUKEE, WI 53203 | |
| 414-277-9440 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Lily`s Talent Agency |
| 1301 W. WASHINGTON, SUITE B, CHICAGO, IL 60607 | |
| 312-601-2345 |
| | Moore Creative Talent, Inc. |
| 1610 WEST LAKE STREET, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55408 | |
| 612-827-3823 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Naked Voices, Inc. |
| 865 NORTH SANGAMON AVENUE, SUITE 415, CHICAGO, IL 60622 | |
| 312-563-0136 | |
| Type: Commercial - Adult |
| | Stewart Talent Management |
| 58 WEST HURON, CHICAGO, IL 60610 | |
| 312-943-3131 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Wehmann Models/Talent, Inc. |
| 1128 HARMON PLACE 202, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55403 | |
| 612-333-6393 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Wilson Talent, Arlene, Inc |
| 430 W ERIE STREET, SUITE #210, CHICAGO, IL 60610 | |
| 312-573-0200 |
SAG Franchised Agents: Dallas, TX
| Campbell Agency, The |
| 3838 OAK LAWN AVENUE STE 900, DALLAS, TX 75219 | |
| 214-522-8991 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Collins, Mary Agent C. Talent |
| 2909 COLE AVENUE, SUITE #250, DALLAS, TX 75204-1307 | |
| 214-871-8900 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Dawson Agency, Kim |
| 1645 STEMMONS FREEWAY, SUITE B, DALLAS, TX 75207 | |
| 214-638-2414 |
| | Horne Agency, Inc., The |
| 4420 WEST LOVERS LANE, DALLAS, TX 75209 | |
| 214-350-9220 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Linda McAlister Talent |
| 100 OAK LANE, WAXAHACHIE, TX 75167 | |
| 972-9382433 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Stone Agency, Ivett |
| 14677 MIDWAY ROAD, SUITE 113, ADDISON, TX 75001 | |
| 972-392-4951 |
| | Taylor Talent, Peggy |
| 437 SOUTHFORK, SUITE 400, LEWISVILLE, TX 75067 | |
| 972-219-7362 |
| | The Clutts Agency |
| 1807 ROSS AVENUE, #167, DALLAS, TX 75201 | |
| 214-761-1400 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Tomas Agency |
| 1017 ELM STREET, SUITE 105, CARROLLTON, TX 75006 | |
| 972-446-2221 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
SAG Franchised Agents: Denver, CO
| Baldwin Talent, Donna |
| 2237 WEST 30TH AVENUE, DENVER, CO 80211 | |
| 303-561-1199 |
| | Mattas Talent Agency |
| 1026 W. COLORADO AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80904 | |
| 719-577-4704 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Voice Choice |
| 9233 PARK MEADOWS DRIVE, SUITE 437, LITTLETON, CO 80124 | |
| 303-756-9055 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
SAG Franchised Agents: Detroit, MI
| I Group, LLC |
| 29540 SOUTHFIELD RD., SUITE #200, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076 | |
| 248-552-8842 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |
| | Productions Plus |
| 30600 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE #2156, FRANKLIN, MI 48025 | |
| 248-644-5566 |
| | Talent Shop, The |
| 30400 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE #141, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48025 | |
| 248-644-4877 | |
| Type: Full Service (All Ages) |