Modeling Scam Watch

The money order/certified check scam still continues to be one of the most common scams targeting actors, models, singers and dancers on the Internet. A www.EliteCastingNetwork.com member recently posted an email to our entertainment forums and asked if we thought the email was a scam. Here is an excerpt:

 

“I have goods news, as I was reharsing with my other models for our performance at the “African Fashion Show” this one of our work (http://www.africa-ata.org/affas.htm) in Africa, I was informed by our client that part payment will be sent out payment in a U.S certified check to you tomorrow, unfortunately I won’t be able to cash out the certified bank cheque as my bank is not familiar with US certified bank check and its not a accepted payment here at the avenue of this Show in Africa, since it’s a US payment instrument, therefore the certified bank cheque of ( $4,000 ) will be send to you,when you receive the certified bank check , cash them at your bank deduct your part payment of $1,000 then i will advice you on what to do with the remaining money. Your balance of $500 will be payed in cash immediately after the shooting, I’m looking up online for a photographers studio for the shooting , I will let you know the name and address of the studio as soon as i get a perfect one.”

 

No reputable modeling agency, organization or industry professional would send a model a check and then have them forward funds from that check to a third party. This is another example of a certified check/money order scam. Please be aware that if you take the risk of cashing the check (some are of such good quality, that they often fool bank personnel) you will be penalized by your bank once they discover that the check is fraudulent. In this case, you would owe your bank $4,000 and quite possibly additional transaction fees.

 

If you are the victim of a certified check scam, be sure to report it to the Federal Trade Commission as well as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information on entertainment scams targeting models, actors, singers and dancers, be sure to log in each day to www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and review our Scam Watch and community forums.

Transitioning From The Stage To The Big Screen

Many great stage actors will eventually graduate to the big screen. While theater is a wonderful way to learn the craft of acting, and prepare for a long, dynamic career, when an actor transitions from the stage to television or film, a few adjustments must be made.

 

Projecting

As a stage actor, you are trained to project because everyone, including the audience members in the balcony, must be able to hear your dialog. However when performing for the camera, projection is no longer necessary.

 

Blocking

There is blocking in both stage and on-camera productions. However in theater you’re given a little more flexibility. If you’re slightly off your mark, the audience will still be able to see you. But, when acting for the camera, if you’re off on your mark, you may venture out of frame which will require the director to shoot the scene again until you get it right. This can be particularly maddening on the set of soap operas where you must shoot a lot of scenes in a short amount of time, therefore requiring that the actors be as perfect as possible when it comes to blocking and knowing your lines.

 

Delivery

When acting on the stage, much of your delivery is for the sake of the live audience. Your facial expressions, movement, gesturing, etc. are all to engage the audience. When acting on camera, it’s important to concentrate more on relating to the character, than relating to the audience. Additionally, you’ll have to learn to embrace the subtleties of the character, which can be a challenge initially.

 

Reacting

Theater is rehearsed so much, and the same scenes performed over and over until sometimes the actors forget to react to the other players. Instead they are just performing what they’ve rehearsed. It’s very important that you don’t do this when you’re performing for the camera. In film and television, the director always captures what’s called a reaction shot. Not only are you filmed performing your dialog, but you’re also taped reacting to the dialog of the other actors in the scene. In order for your performance to look authentic, it’s very important that you listen and react to other actors in the scene, rather than just delivering your lines based on vocal cues.

 

If you’re interested in roles on-camera and on-stage roles, visit www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today and check out some of our auditions.

How To Tape Your Monologue Or Scene

Once you’ve gotten your monologue under your belt and committed to memory, there are lots of reasons you may want to tape it. Perhaps you’re submitting a reel to agents along with your headshot and resume. Or maybe you’re sending your tape to a casting director in another state because you’re unable to attend the audition in person. Maybe you’re a new actor and you just want to see how you look on tape – which I highly recommend. Reviewing your tapes helps you to improve your on-camera technique and build confidence in front of the camera.

 

Regardless of the reason why you’re taping your monologue or scene, it’s best to:

 

• Make sure you have someone to stand behind the camera or directly next to it and maintain eye contact with you to help maintain your eye line.

 

• Make sure that you’re framed properly. (Don’t worry, no one expects you to be Spielberg.) Simply make sure that you are centered in the frame. If there’s blocking in the scene or monologue, make sure that the shot is wide enough to accommodate your movement.

 

• If you’re performing a scene, be sure that you’re performing with another actor, not just a friend who’s reading lines.

 

• Wear a solid color (other than black or white) that contrasts with your skin color, and pull your hair away from your face.

 

• Make sure that the background area isn’t cluttered, or filled with anything that will draw attention away from you.

 

• Do a couple of test tapings to make sure there isn’t an echo in the room, and that the camera’s microphone isn’t picking up distracting sounds.

 

• Make sure you watch your tape in its entirety before submitting it to anyone, especially if you’ve had it transferred from one format to another.

 

After you tape your monologue, be sure to upload it to your Star Search Casting profile so that agents, managers and casting directors can review your work. Visit us online today at www.StarSearchCasting.com.

Making The Most Of Fashion Week

If you’re an aspiring model then you probably know that Fashion Week in New York is just around the corner – February 1^st to be exact. Considered to be one of the fashion capitals of the world, New York hosted the very first Fashion Week back in 1943 and is home to some of the industry’s highest paid models and most prominent fashion editors, photographers, art directors, designers and fashion stylists.

 

Participating in New York’s Fashion Week is an amazing opportunity for a new model. However most of the opportunities during Fashion Week are given to established models. Additionally, many of the events are only open to fashion industry professionals, top models, buyers, media, celebrities and socialites. However, in recent years other cities throughout the United States have begun to launch their own version of Fashion Week, which are far more accessible for individuals new the industry. These events found in San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore and many other cities can be a great opportunity for new models to either break into the industry or work as interns and volunteers to learn more about the business and make useful contacts.

 

So how do you get your foot in the door? Contact the Fashion Week staff listed on the website to inquire about opportunities for new models or interns and volunteers. Additionally, the designers and sometimes even the photographers that are participating are usually posted on the website, so feel free to contact them directly as well.

 

If you’re hoping to land a modeling gig during Fashion Week in your area, you should have a strong look and a winning attitude. You’ll need to be assertive and diligent because it may take a substantial amount of research and following up to land an opportunity during Fashion Week as a new model.

 

In the meantime, are you ready to get some more experience on the runway? Check out the casting notices at www.EliteCastingNetwork.com for great opportunities for aspiring models today!

Submitting To Online Casting Calls

Online casting is quickly becoming the industry standard, therefore there are certain expectations and preferences that casting professionals have when accepting and reviewing online submissions.

 

Here are a few tips to help you get the results that you want:

 

• Be sure to read and follow the instructions as carefully as possible. If you want the casting staff to take the time to review your headshot and resume, it’s important that you take the time to read and follow the instructions they’ve provided for you in the Casting Call.

 

• Make sure you send a headshot that looks like the character described in the breakdown. If the breakdown asks for a blond female to play between 18-24, make sure that you fit the criteria.

 

• When sending your headshot, use your name as the photo filename to avoid confusion.

 

• Use a standard font on your resume, such as Arial, and keep the formatting simple so that when it’s opened it’s easily readable.

 

• If the casting department asks for your headshot and resume, do not just send them a link to your website or your online profile. If you only send a link, your email will probably be deleted.

 

• Unless you receive a mail delivery error, do not continue to resend your material to the casting department. If you don’t get a response, don’t worry.  There are many other opportunities out there for you.

 

Have you checked out the auditions on www.StarSearchCasting.com today? Be sure to review all of the opportunities in your area and keep us posted on how the search is going. And don’t forget to use the tips listed above.

New Years Resolutions For The Aspiring Performer

Congratulations on all of your achievements in 2007! This year Elite Casting Network ( www.EliteCastingNetwork.com ) members have booked a record number of jobs in the entertainment industry and we’re extremely proud that our website has helped so many talented, deserving individuals launch their dream careers.

 

If you didn’t have any significant career milestones in 2007, don’t be disappointed. It simply means that as you approach 2008, you’ll want to sit down and decide what your goals are and how you plan to reach them in the New Year.

 

A lot of us make New Year’s resolutions that we never keep. Maybe we pledge to be more organized. Or promise ourselves that we’re going to stick to a low carb diet. Instead of focusing on resolutions you’ll probably break before January is over, why not focus on how to jumpstart your career in the entertainment industry, or take your career to the next level.

 

For instance, what are some of the things you wanted to do, or should have done in 2007 that may have made a difference in your career:

 

• Maybe your resume could have used some updating, both online and offline.
• Maybe you should have invested in professional headshots
• Maybe you needed updated headshots to better reflect your current look.
• Maybe it would have been a good idea to begin saving money for a professional demo tape.
• Maybe you should have tried to secure an agent by sending emails with a link to your ECN profile to Agents.
• Maybe you struggled in your auditions, but never had the time to sign up for classes to improve your technique.
• Maybe you weren’t as diligent as you could have been about visiting Elite Casting Network to search for casting calls and other opportunities.

 

Your success in 2008 will be a reflection of your ambition, hard work and dedication to your craft. If you want to break into the business, then it’s important that you go after it.  This week I want you to really think about what steps you need to take in order to get to where you want to go. And in the event you’re really not sure, 2008 would be a great time to take advantage of our online talent consultant to help steer you in the right direction.

 

Visit www.EliteCastingNetwork.com to take advantage of our talent resources, auditions, talent consultant and online community. We’ve got everything you need to help you succeed in 2008!

Make Your Hollywood Dreams Come True In 2008

HOLLYWOOD – In 2007, Star Search Casting ( www.StarSearchCasting.com ) helped thousands of aspiring actors, dancers, singers and models launch careers in the entertainment industry. Now as 2008 approaches, Star Search Casting is prepared to help even more aspiring performers pursue entertainment careers in acting, modeling, dancing and singing and make their Hollywood dreams come true.

 

Star Search Casting helps aspiring entertainers all over the globe pursue careers in the entertainment industry. The website’s members range in age, location, ethnicity, level of experience and skill set and are determined to do what it takes to become a successful actor, model, dancer or singer. They choose Star Search Casting because they know that they will get invaluable exposure, access to thousands of talent resources and opportunities and the benefits of online casting without the danger of Internet scams.

 

Star Search Casting was established nearly a decade ago and has since become one of the most popular tools entertainment industry professionals use to search for the next top models, singers, dancers and actors. Nearly a half million contacts were made in 2007 on Star Search Casting resulting in jobs in film, television, theatre, recording arts and the fashion industry. Just this week MTV, Court TV, ABC, NBC and Lifetime used Star Search Casting to post casting notices for opportunities on their networks.

 

In addition to the large number of entertainment industry professionals that use Star Search Casting to scout for new talent & entertainers, the website also features thousands of auditions & casting calls daily. There are sixteen categories listed on the auditions page including, film, television, kids & teens, modeling, singing, dance, theatre and music videos.

 

SSC’s reputation is not just built on the invaluable exposure that the website provides for aspiring dancers, singers, models and actors or the number of opportunities posted on the website. Star Search Casting also meets all of the standards of the Better Business Bureau and is a hacker safe certified website. The staff at Star Search Casting also monitors the website regularly to prevent online fraud and Internet scams.

 

Star Search Casting has so much to offer actors, dancers, models and singers who have made it their New Year’s resolution to pursue successful careers in the entertainment industry. SSC is the only website that provides aspiring performers with the exposure, support and resources they need to secure the job of a lifetime.

 

For more information on joining Star Search Casting in 2008, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com.

Modeling Scam Alert – Beware of Multiple Identities

Did you know that this year the Internet Crime Complaint Center logged its 1 millionth consumer complaint related to online fraud and cyber crimes? You might also be interested to know that as a result of these complaints, the organization has calculated that Americans have lost an estimated $647 million to Internet scammers. While we all know how serious Internet scams are, and we’re becoming increasingly aware of the dangers, sometimes it’s the actual statistics that make the greatest impact.

 

While we are doing our best to make you aware of common Internet scams, the scammers are also working hard to develop new ways to target aspiring actors, singers, models and dancers. They are ruthless and will stop at nothing to pull the wool over your eyes; even if it means pretending to be someone they’re not – over and over again.

 

When we uncover a scam, we are diligent about posting the information on our website. Well guess what? Unfortunately scammers have access to that information too. And often when a scammer realizes that they’ve been identified, they will assume a new identity in order to target new victims.

 

We recently discovered one scammer who’s been using multiple names to target models and makeup artists. The same scammer used the names Sarah Natalia, Morgan Jones, and Pedro Soto. If you’ve received any correspondence from any of these identities, do not respond. Also, be sure to report any suspicious activity to us.

 

This scammer says he is located in the United Kingdom but he is actually located in Caracas Venezuela using these IP addresses: 200.71.188.210 and 200.71.188.209.

To read more about the Pedro Soto Agency & Diego Verona Fashion Photo Shoot Scam go here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=119449

For more information about the Beauty & Fashion Modeling Scam run by Sarah Natalia go here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=123825

This is one of the modeling scam messages Morgan Jones is sending:

“Hello,
Are an upspring model? Or do you aspire to be a super model? Here comes a big oppurtunity for you to be a super star, Christian-Julliano clothing company a new fashion designer company in the uk requires talents for the lunching ceremony that will take place in the various places listed below.
1.The label, Christian-Julliano,will be unveiled in London on the 22nd November,2007.this Program will include runway.

2.The label will be launched in Paris on the 29th November, 2007 with runway showcase.

3.The Label will be launched in Rome on the 5th, December, 2007.

Note:sucessful talent will not only participate in this in this lunching ceremony but will be awarded a contract with Christian-Julliano clothing as a company model.

Interest talents should contact
Morgan jones talent agency for application
Email:info_mj_tagency@yaho.co.uk

Regards,
Public relation officer,
Morgan jones talent. “

 

To read more about that scam you can go here: http://www.elitecastingnetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=111376

 

For more information on the latest scams & fraudsters targeting actors, dancers, models and singers, login to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and check out our Scam Alert. We’ll continue to help make you aware of new scams and the individuals behind them.

Do You Need A Vocal Coach?

Were you born to sing? Many singers that we all know and love were born with natural talent, however many of those singers have also benefited from the assistance of a professional vocal coach. While you may have a really great tone, a vocal coach can teach you a number of techniques to really help your voice reach its full potential.

 

One of the reasons why vocal coaches are essential is that they have a tremendous grasp on diaphragmatic breathing, and how the mechanics of the vocal chords and facial muscles contribute to producing a great sound. Even the slightest adjustments can make a huge difference in the quality of your tone.

 

• Do you hold your breath when you’re attempting to sing higher notes?
  
• Do you sometimes guess the pitch of the note you’re about to sing, rather than hearing the note in your head?
  
• Do you sometimes find yourself straining when hitting notes in higher or lower registers?
  
• Do you have trouble singing through vocal breaks?
  
• Do you struggle with control and tone placement at times?
  
• Do you want to learn vocal exercises that can help strengthen your voice?
  
• Do you have trouble properly using airflow to help you project your voice?
  
• Do you think you’d benefit from being critiqued by someone with a trained ear?
  
• Are you often hoarse after singing?
  
• Do you wish you could increase your vocal range?
  
• 
  

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time that you hired a vocal coach. An experience vocal coach can help you with these issues and many more. Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today to find a vocal coach in your area, or to get recommendations from other Star Search Casting members in our online forums.

Tips for Creating a Great Composite Card

If you’ve decided to have composite cards (also referred to as comp cards, model cards, or zed cards) made to showcase just how great of a model you really are then we’ve got some great tips for you. Clients hire models to successfully market and sell a variety of products. Therefore it’s important to keep in mind that your composite card is one of the tools you’ll be using to successfully market and sell yourself to the client.

 

When you’re having your composite cards made, it’s important to remember:

 

Your composite card should reflect the type of work you’re seeking. So if you’re interested in high fashion modeling, then those are the types of shots that you should include on your comp card.

 

Use technology to your advantage. If you’re interested in more than one type of modeling, then you should have more than one comp card. With advances in technology it’s easy and affordable to create multiple comp cards, and it will also make you competitive when you’re going after jobs.

 

Make sure you use a variety of shots. A good comp card features three or more photos and should include at least a strong headshot, body shot and an action shot.

 

Quality is key. Make sure that you use high quality images on your comp card. A professionally produced card also lets clients know that you’re serious about your career.

 

Don’t forget your stats! Your comp card should also include:

 

Contact information

Height

Weight

Bust size / Cup size

Waist size

Hip size

Dress size

Shoe size

Hair color

Hair length (short, shoulder length, long)

Eye color

Type(s) of modeling jobs preferred (i.e. commercial, fashion shows, runway, glamour, artistic, promotional, etc.)

 

Many Elite Casting Network members have their comp cards on their profile pages. Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com to see what some of our members’ comp cards look like or to get helpful advice and referrals from our members in our online forums.