I heard this number on the radio station.

There are a lot of these scams out there now preying on people who want to get their kids into show business.

1. Legitimate talent / acting agents and managers don't advertise.  If anything they have a simple website.  But show business is a harsh business.  You usually find a good agent through word of mouth.  The best way to get in is to know someone in the business.

2. ANY agent or manager that asks for an upfront fee is a scam.  Agents and Managers usually take anywhere from 10% to 15% of what their clients make.  That may sound like a lot and it may sound better to just pay an upfront fee and keep what you make, but really it doesn't make sense.  Agents are interested in clients that continuosly make them money.  That's their incentive to keep sending you out on interviews and get your name and pictures out there.  If they get an upfront fee and don't ask anything further from you then they have no reason to even try to find you work.

3. Though it's true that all actors, models, or anyone else in the entertainment business does need pictures, it is completely unethical for an agent or manager to try to convince you to use a particular photographer.  If they know a photographer who is good they may sometimes suggest that person but they're not really even supposed to go that far.  If they do try to pressure you into going to a specific one chances are they're making their money by getting some sort of referral fee from the photographers.

4. Then there's the case of the "auditions" for acting classes.  I'm personally weary of any company that uses the bait and switch to get business.

I grew up in LA.  On top of my own brief acting career I have one cousin who is a talent agent, another who is a model, and several friends who are actors.  You can take or leave what I have to say.  But my personal suggestion is if you want to get yourself or your child into the entertainment industry and you're not sure how to go about it, the best way is to get a legitimate manager first.  A manager is not an agent.  A manager will help you find an agent and point you in all the right directions on what to do.  You end up paying out more of your income because a manager will take a portion of what you make on top of what the agent gets, but really if you get a good one they are someone who will look out for you and keep your best interests in mind.

I'm just 13 too, and I found out from a few of my friends about this talent thing today. Two of them are going on Jan. 11th at the Hartford Hilton, but I think I should warn them because I read an article on this and it is most definitely a scam. Even though a lot of people are going it's because they've all been tricked. The article was from a legit newspaper (the Hartford Courant) and said that you would have to pay $2800 the next day, and they would only accept credit cards. So even if it is legit, it's not worth it because of the price. Think about it; do you really think it's worth a shot if there's so much proof that it's fake?

are you possitive that this is what it is? just a scam? im 13 and my mom called for my off the commercial and i have an appointment at 8 o clock sunday night...what should i do?

dear mumma,
is it really a scam because i want to become a singer and they said the adition was this weekend and i really want to go wat should i do?                                                                                                                   signed,                                                                        m&m

It's a school basically trying to get enrollment.  The 'audition' part is the b.s. that they use to make it seem like it's official, but they're basically going to try to sell you tuition to a school that doesn't exist.  Avoid the RI Convention Center, you know room 555, for this event. . . especially if you do not want to disappoint you little one.

My Grandfather (Johnny Crear) advised that I look into it further before I take my daughter in because he thought it sounded like a scam.  He's been in several television shows and movies, he knows the business.

id say you shouldnt be concerned

lol me 2 my room number is 555

We heard the ad on the radio on 8/5/08. We called and booked an appt to attend an audition on Saturday in RI. Should I be concerned?

My daughter and I heard this number on the radio station featuring auditions yesterday.  After speaking with them something about it made me uncomfortable.  After they called to confirm I checked the number 877-214-1882 and found this info.  So glad I looked!  Add this number and 877-214-1893 to this list