Friday, January 7, 2011

How to Avoid Talent Agency Scams: Useful Tips

By Adrian Torres


Most of us dream of being rich, being famous, and being in the limelight. Who would not want to be admired and loved by millions of people? One way to achieve this is to join the entertainment industry. There are millions of aspiring models, singers and performers out there who are flocking to auditions and talent agencies just to get their share of fame. Because of this, there are also many scammers out there who will take advantage of the gullibility and the eagerness of these people.

Legitimate talent agencies require no registration fee just to have an appointment with you. If you have what it takes, and you have the talent, they will sign you without you having to pay for it. However it's your responsibility to put your tools together.

You may be confused in the main difference between modeling classes and modeling agencies. As the name suggests, modeling agencies are entities that receive your pictures and decide whether you fit the bill, and if you do, they will help you try to find work.

Read the contracts carefully, sometimes they attempt to scam you on the cut that you are getting, so make sure that you understand what you're signing. Check their websites; if they have one, and if the agency has represented many clients, then the possibility is higher that you are in a good talent agency.

But beware, because scammers have many tricks. They can also create a website just to show proof of their legitimacy. One thing you can do is to ask your mentors and the other people within your circle. Word of mouth is always the best testimonial.

Getting an acting coach and enrolling yourself in a modeling school is also a big factor, because this gives you credibility; therefore, if you have what it takes, talent agencies will actually come to you. There are also times that scammers might ask for fees for the plane fare; they might say that you are going to New York and they'll be needing funds to get there. If this is the case, then beware: They may be going to New York with only your money, and not you.

As they say, anything that is too good to be true is reason to worry. There are some things in the modeling world that seem to go just too smoothly to be legitimate. There should always be challenges to hurdle, and things to overcome in order to reach the summit of success. Greasing your way to the fashion shows will not get you anywhere; in fact, you could be on the losing end.

As you can see on reality TV shows, it's so hard to become a model or actor. As you can see in America's Next Top Model or American Idol, it is hard to get to the top. Greasing your way just to make things easier for you may do you more harm than good. Awareness and the right knowledge will help you avoid getting scammed.




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