Casting/talent agency question

[MichelleD]

Hi IRC - I have a question about casting agencies with respect to kids.

My brother got a letter from an agency in NJ (unsolicited) that said they were 'interested' in my nephew for casting. A look at the website shows that they have a nice website, and they are 'licensed' in NJ.

First off, I don't know how they got his information, which is weird.
Second of all, how does one determine if this is legit? I took a quick look - they don't ask for money or require headshots from an 'approved' photographer - but I don't want them to be caught up in something that is not legitimate.

Any advice helpful. Thanks!

 

[HairballofDoom]

I would think a legit casting agency wouldn't mind answering the question, "How did you get my child's information?"

 

[Chaz]

If the name of the agency happens to be the Shutterbugs, chances are that it is not legitimate.

 

[Maddy]

My sister used to get these shortly after school pictures were taken every year. I always thought that was how they got the info and saw her darling face.

 

[sagy]

hey

Just adding two cents, cause I interned for a bit with a talent agency.
Legit agencies (and some managers) will be franchised with actor's unions to demonstrate that they are professionally recognized, follow union regs as far as percentages and fees go, etc.

I don't know very much about how kids stuff works, but I'd wonder how they got photos of a minor unsolicited? Unless someone at the office saw him in a school play or an ad or he was recommended by a photog or something?

You may want to get in touch with SAG/AFTRA/AEA to see if they've heard of this place. Or check out the Ross Reports, which is published every month and you can get at Drama Book (or probably online somewhere). This has a listing of all the recognized talent/casting/etc agencies and how they accept new talent.

Also, there's not very much work in NJ (I guess there's some nonunion local stuff and Philly stuff), so that would make me wonder about how legit this is.

 

[Fred Garvin]

i get this crap for my kids too

i think it is like the Barbazon scam, and for older people, the Who's Who in College or after scam.

I think some other young person got caught up in it and dropped your nephew's name.

Your nephew will be met, tested, and his parents will be apprised of the services sold by the agency that they just happen to need. It is a vanity scam. Just like Barbazon.

 

[Malidog]

is it John Casablancas in Paramus? if so, stay away....total scam

 

[MichelleD]

No, it's something else.
Thanks, all. I may make a phone call over there and check it out. (My brother lives near the NY/NJ border. I'm still amazed they got the kid's name, somehow though.)

 

[Malidog]

was there a local newspaper announcement of something he was involved in? a play, a recital....something like that?

 

[MichelleD]

Not that I'm aware. He's just in kindergarten, just moved recently to the area.

Then again, it's entirely possible I have incomplete information from the 'rents here.

 

[DougMoe]

Sounds scam-y. I'd stay clear. If your nephew is interested in finding an agent, I would think there are plenty of ways to find legitimate child-actor agencies.

 

[MichelleD]

Would that be via Ross Reports?

 

[mikelibrarian]

I'm with Fred and Doug. There's enough parents who breaking down the doors of casting agents that I doubt that any need to do cold calls. Do a google search on them and check if complaints come up on the first few pages.

 

[Regan]

Ross Reports is called Call Sheet now.

What was the name of the casting director/agency?

 

[DanAbrams]

MichelleD,

First of all, where near the NY/NJ border does your brother live? That's where I grew up, on the palisades. It's lovely.

Secondly, why is an manager contacting him about doing it? Call if you want to, but I can't imagine this being anything but a scam. Don't pay anything in fees or whatnot. I'm not an actor but as a writer, I know that there are a lot of Agents out there who do the scam of charging you to have your script read. Trust me, even if your nephew was working hard at getting an agent, until he's bringing big money in, he's going to have trouble getting his agent to call back. It just doesn't seem to make sense for an agent to be soliciting him, especially as a child, who the agent likely hasn't seen act.

Also, I know NJ is still the same market as NYC, but why is this guy a NJ agent? All the work is in in the city and any actor who lives there is used to commuting in.