Talent and Modeling Agent Scams

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.

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)