How to Avoid Actor Scams

At pay phones across Los Angeles you can find little flyers with tear-off phone numbers that read "Actors Wanted!" or "Extras Needed!" What's the harm, you ask yourself?

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Healthy Skepticism

1. So you call the number on the ad and speak to someone who claims to have years of experience "discovering acting talent just like you." You've only just moved to Los Angeles and here you are on the way to becoming a big star!
2. The very nice man on the other end of the line tells you that Extras are in constant demand in movies, television shows and commercials. It just takes a small $300 fee to register and then the jobs will come rolling in right away! You don't need a contract because this guy is completely trustworthy and a man of his word unlike the rest of those jackals out there who insist on paperwork and complicated legal stuff. They don't even show you the common courtesy of guaranteeing you'll be a star so how honest can they be?
3. How can you go wrong? Just in case, you go to the nearest cyber cafe and look up the company with the Better Business Bureau. You're sure it's on the up and up, but you know that people will ask just the same.
4. It's not listed. You check out the phone number and see quite a few complaints registered, but the guy did say there were shady people out there trying to keep him from making an honest buck. You do a quick look through common myths of the industry and sure enough every single thing he promised, guaranteed and assured you of is listed as part of the scam. The phrase that you need to apply here is the same one you've heard a million times before: "if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."
5. So now what? Well, if you really want to work as an Extra or an Actor then start with reputable organizations and guilds that service those careers. It will require effort, paperwork and diligence, but hey, you might actually like it.
6. This reporter did just that, namely he called up the Screen Actor's Guild and asked where they recommended Extras look for work. They had only one answer: Central Extras or Cenex.
7. It took the better part of a morning to wait in line, fill out the paperwork, get a picture taken and pay a nominal fee--nothing's free after all. Then each applicant was provided with a phone number to call to see if any jobs were available. It took some effort and diligence, but anything worth doing usually does.
8. Extra work can be tiring, boring and even hard to get, but being on a working film or television set, eating lunch with other industry workers and hopefuls and contributing to the dream factory can make it all worth it and if you can see yourself on the screen it can be quite a thrill. That and it can become hopelessly addictive. That's what keeps people coming to L.A. year after year and what fills the pockets of scam artists too, but hopefully you are now better equipped to choose the smart way rather than the easy way. Good luck and happy acting.

Tips & Warnings

• Be suspicious of agents who demand up front payment.