[NEohioPAL]Attention Actors of all genre's -BE CAREFUL!!!

[b 2k]

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An actor friend of mine who is now getting into film was recently BURNED by a company claiming to be a talent agency in the Ohio area. 

SAG has received RECENT information from several concerned actors and models from the area who have received phone calls from an agency or agencies looking to 'represent' them from Cleveland and more East of downtown. It is my opinion that a reputable agency would not use such techniques and you should end this phone call immediately! Typical scams ask for money up front, such as $20 here or $60 there to take classes, go to shows or get your photos and sometimes get you work. Many of these operations prey on newcomers trying to get started in this business.

Because of my legal background and former acting experience, I thought it was deemed necessary to take some action and let you ALL know of a few RULES that a REAL agency CANNOT break! 

Things to Remember When Trying to Recognize a SCAM: 

Check here for legit AGENTS:---> http://www.sag.org/agentlist/

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 charge to give classes! 
A reputable agent may suggest specific photographers or classes to you but cannot require you to use them by the EIC code or even pay for them through the agencies own services.

An agency DOES NOT charge and is NOT ALLOWED by the EIC code to charge more than 10% 
If an agency, with NO track record and no license, charges more than 10% for their services? They can be held liable.


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.) If you have heard the word GUARANTEE, then you can sue for not getting the work promised.

Agents are not casting directors! 
Agents earn commissions when their clients work ONLY. 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 plus a number of other services. 

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.

Legitimate talent agencies do 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 that agency nothing until you work and then 10 percent of your earnings as a performer -- but nothing in advance. Legitimate talent agencies normally do not advertise for clients in newspaper classified columns nor do they solicit through the mail. If a purported talent agent seeks to send you to a particular photographer for pictures, hold your wallet tight and run for the nearest exit. Chances are s/he's a phony and receives a cut of the photographer's fee. If you need photographs, choose your own photographer. Better still, try another agent. 


Want more? Listen to an informative, recorded message AND call (323) 549-6792. 
Or VISIT: http://www.sag.com/wannabefaqs.html

Be careful and SAVE A FRIEND by passing this on!!!

Thank you!



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<P align=center>An actor friend of mine who is now getting into film was recently BURNED by a company claiming to be a talent agency in the <STRONG><U>Ohio </U></STRONG>area. </P>
<P align=center>SAG has received RECENT information from several concerned actors and models from the area who have received phone calls from an agency or agencies looking to 'represent' them from Cleveland and more East of downtown. It is my opinion that a <B>reputable agency</B> would <B>not</B> use such techniques and you should end this phone call immediately! Typical scams ask for money up front, such as $20 here or $60 there to take classes, go to shows or get your photos and sometimes get you work. Many of these operations prey on newcomers trying to get started in this business.</P>
<P align=center>Because of my legal background and former acting experience, I thought it was deemed necessary to take some action and let you ALL know of a few RULES that a REAL agency CANNOT break! <BR><BR><STRONG><U>Things to Remember When Trying to Recognize a SCAM</U></STRONG>: </P>
<P align=center>Check here for legit AGENTS:---> <A href="http://www.sag.org/agentlist/">http://www.sag.org/agentlist/</A><BR><BR><STRONG>Agents do not advertise! </STRONG><BR>According to the indusrty's EIC Code of Ethics, talent and background agents cannot advertise to the general public<STRONG>. <BR><BR>Agents do not provide photographic services or charge to give classes! </STRONG><BR>A reputable agent may suggest specific photographers or classes to you but cannot require you to use them by the EIC code or even pay for them through the agencies own services.</P>
<P align=center><STRONG>An agency DOES NOT charge and is NOT ALLOWED by the EIC code to charge more than 10% <BR></STRONG>If an agency, with NO track record and no license, charges more than 10% for their services? They can be held liable.<BR><STRONG></STRONG></P>
<P align=center><STRONG>Children and extras do not need professional-quality photos! </STRONG><BR>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. <BR><BR><STRONG>An agent cannot guarantee work! </STRONG><BR>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.) If you have heard the word GUARANTEE, then you can sue for not getting the work promised.<BR><BR><STRONG>Agents are not casting directors! <BR></STRONG>Agents earn commissions when their clients work ONLY. Casting directors are paid by the production and never take money from performers for any reason. <BR><BR><STRONG>Agents specialize! </STRONG><BR>Agents usually represent actors, extras or models. Be wary if the agency claims to represent all of these categories plus a number of other services. <BR><BR><STRONG>A PRINCIPAL </STRONG>agent will rarely represent you if you have no experience or training! <BR><BR><U><STRONG>Legitimate talent agents </STRONG></U>usually require actors to have some professional training and some theater or film experience. <BR><BR><STRONG>ONLY </STRONG>background agents will represent inexperienced people who have no training and will generally try to get them non-speaking roles as extras.</P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><STRONG><U><FONT size=3>Legitimate talent agencies do not </FONT></U></STRONG>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. </FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>If you are signed as a client by a legitimate talent agency, you will pay that agency nothing until you work and then <STRONG><U>10 percent </U></STRONG>of your earnings as a performer -- but nothing in advance. Legitimate talent agencies normally do not advertise for clients in newspaper classified columns nor do they solicit through the mail. If a purported talent agent seeks to send you to a particular photographer for pictures, hold your wallet tight and run for the nearest exit. Chances are s/he's a phony and receives a cut of the photographer's fee. If you need photographs, choose your own photographer. <U><STRONG>Better still, try another agent</STRONG></U>. </FONT><BR></P>
<P align=center><FONT size=5>Want more? <FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Listen to an informative, recorded message AND call (323) 549-6792. </FONT><BR></FONT>Or VISIT: <A href="http://www.sag.com/wannabefaqs.html"><FONT size=5>http://www.sag.com/wannabefaqs.html</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT color=red size=4><STRONG>Be careful and SAVE A FRIEND by passing this on!!!</STRONG></FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT color=#ff0000 size=4><STRONG>Thank you!</STRONG></FONT></P><p><br><hr size=1><b>Do You Yahoo!?</b><br>
<a href="$rd_url/welcome/?http://taxes.yahoo.com/">Yahoo! Tax Center</a> - online filing with TurboTax
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