6 Ways To Tell If A particular Talent Agency Is A Scam

 

There are many talent agencies that have come up to provide talent sourcing services but some of them are not genuine. The only way you can move to the next level in your acting or modeling career is by seeking the best talent services. Many aspiring actors and models end up being exploited in the hands of unscrupulous talent sourcing agencies that are currently in operation. 

 

Signing with such agencies can be the beginning of a nightmare instead of an opportunity to realize your dreams. This article will highlight the different ways to tell if a particular talent agency is a scam:

1. When they ask for money upfront

 

A legitimate talent agency should not ask for any fee before signing aspiring actors or models. You should therefore avoid any agency that asks for a fee before they can sign you. You should never give out any money even if they give you reasons why they are asking for the fee. 

 

All talent agencies that are licensed by the state are not allowed to charge any fees during recruitment and that is why you should not make any payment even if it seems legitimate. Talent agents are only allowed to take a commission from you after they have given you a job.

 

2. When they use an in house photographer for headshots

 

You should be suspicious when you are pressured by the agency to work with their photographer. Actors and models are expected to take their own headshots and they can only work with an in house photographer after they have signed with the agency. You should run away when the agent is the one behind the camera

 

3. When they demand money for you to be listed on their website

 

Talent agents should not charge you in order to be listed on their website because that is just a supplement of what they are supposed to offer you. The resumes and headshots of aspiring models and actors are normally submitted through breakdown services because that is how the industry works. Real talent agents list their clients for free.

 

4. When they charge you to attend a workshop, seminar or class

 

You should not pay your agent for their advice because they are not your acting or modeling coach. They can only recommend classes and are not allowed to take any training money from you. There is no problem if they offer classes and seminars for free.  

 

5. When they advertise themselves in the newspaper classified section or the internet

 

Legitimate talent agents do not need to go out to look for talent but talent looks for them. Agencies that spend a lot of money in advertisement may not be legitimate. Real agencies get their clients through professional recommendations, resumes and headshots. An agency that spends money in advertisement definitely wants to make money from their clients.

 

6. When they do not work out of their own office space

 

A legimate and successful talent agency should have a physical office where clients scan find them. It is important to confirm if the office is genuine before you can trust them. There are some scam agencies that own offices but you should be more suspicious if the agency does not have an office.