Scam Alert: The Name Game

When we’re investigating recent scam activity, we often find that new scams are really just revised emails that are being circulated by the same scammers over and over, simply using a different name. Many parents are discovering that this same tactic is used by agencies offline as well. More and more parents are learning that companies who have been investigated for fraudulent activity are now changing the names of their companies to avoid detection. This tactic now requires parents who are researching reputable opportunities for their child actors, models, dancers and singers to dig even deeper to make sure that the agencies and industry professionals that they work with truly have their children’s best interest at heart.

StudioKidz was an agency in California that recruited children for acting jobs, often in stores such as Wal-Mart and Target.  The agency was accused of charging exorbitant fees for classes and training. Later it was discovered that the agency didn’t have a license and therefore was never able to legally book acting jobs for any of their clients. When parents began to report the agency to consumer action agencies, the owners decided to change their name to TVKidz so that parents who looked them up online wouldn’t come across the large number of complaints that had been filed against them.

However, it wasn’t long before parents begin to discover that TVKidz was the same agency as StudioKidz, which prompted the owner to change the name of the company again to CommercialKidz. Additionally, she even changed her own name. A watchdog group who has been following the agency’s activities has now found information that suggests the owner may even have a previous criminal record.

So you see, you can never be too careful when it comes to researching agencies or industry professionals who have expressed an interest in you or your children. It’s unfortunate that there are so many individuals out there that lay in wait to take advantage of those new to the industry. However it’s important that instead of being discouraged, that we simply do our homework each and every time and stay focused on our goals.

Be sure to log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com each day to review our Scam Alert. We will continue to keep you posted on the latest scam information affecting the entertainment industry, as well as strategies you can use to make sure you don’t become a victim.

How To Showcase Yourself

Pursuing a career in the music industry means finding unique and creative ways to get the attention of music industry executives, and other industry professionals that can help to guide you towards a record deal. If you’re a singer, or a member of a band and it’s your dream to land a lucrative record deal, then ask yourself, “What am I doing to break into the industry?”

One way that many solo artists and bands are getting the attention of music industry executives is by producing, recording and distributing their own material. Solo artists and bands that have developed their image, written great material and have developed a fan base are very attractive to record labels. While executives will still want to help you groom your talent, the success you’ve achieved on your own let’s them know that you’ve got amazing potential, you’re hardworking and that you have a great chance at excelling in the industry.

Unfortunately it can be quite costly to produce and distribute an entire album. But don’t let that get you down. If you want to take your talent to the next level, but you don’t have the funds to produce an entire album, try producing a single.

A band that I met recently wrote, produced and recorded their first single. They then had it professionally dubbed and packaged. Once that was completed, they then sent their single out to hundreds of radio stations, club DJs, and A&R executives at major and independent labels, along with their press kit, and an invitation to their live show.

On the day of their show, the venue was filled with family, friends and fans as well as several key players in the music business. Not only did they have a successful show, but they also lined up meetings with several A&R scouts and their song is now being played on several college radio stations. It looks like they are well on their way to a record deal, and they couldn’t be more thrilled!

Are you a solo artist or band looking for opportunities in the music business? Be sure to log on to www.StarSearchCasting.com to review the casting notices. We’ve got lots of auditions for aspiring singers and musicians. Let us help you put your talent on the map!

www.StarSearchCasting.com Is The Industry’s Leading Website For Talent Resources

Star Search Casting has been a leading casting website for 10 years, serving both casting and entertainment executives as well as singers, actors, dancers and models seeking opportunities in the industry. While Star Search Casting has developed a solid reputation for providing casting information for some of the industry’s most popular television shows and feature films, the website is also a leader in providing the most comprehensive database of industry resources on the web. From agents and photographers, to production companies and dance schools, Star Search Casting provides all of the information an aspiring performer needs to get a head start in the industry.

 

Founded by Jonathan Parker, an experienced entertainment industry executive, Star Search Casting provides all of the essentials for getting started in the industry. “For many, pursuing a career in entertainment can be overwhelming because there’s so much to learn,” says Parker. “In addition to providing singers, dancers, actors and models with casting information, we also felt that it was important to give them access to everything from hair stylists to professional associations so that they have everything they need in one place to ensure a smooth transition into the industry.”

 

For most, developing a career in the entertainment industry takes time. And aspiring performers interested in acting, modeling, singing and dancing will have to learn the ropes, and sometimes even get additional training, before they are ready for stardom. To help aspiring performers along the way, Star Search Casting guides them with critical information in their community forums, supplemented with comprehensive lists of contacts and resources organized for easy access.

 

“I wasn’t introduced to modeling until I was in my early 20s, so when I decided that I wanted to pursue it as a profession, I felt like I had a lot of catching up to do,” says Amy Reynolds, a Star Search Casting member. “However, at Star Search Casting I was not only able to find lots of modeling casting calls, but I was also able to get a list of photographers, agents, fashion stylists, makeup artists and even books which were all extremely helpful.”

 

SSC is committed to ensuring that aspiring actors, dancers, models and singers have all of the tools they need to become successful in the entertainment industry. To learn more about how Star Search Casting helps its members make their mark on the competitive entertainment industry, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today!

A Dancer’s Dilema: Should I Go To College?

While a career as a professional dancer is rewarding, it can also be extremely demanding. The toll that it can take on a dancer’s body can often lead to a short-lived professional career. Based on that fact, many dancers often struggle with the decision of whether they should go to college or immerse themselves in their career immediately after they graduate from high school in order to maximize the years their bodies are able to endure the physical stresses of the industry.

 

While most ballet dancers who have the potential to become professional dancers either join a company or a conservatory immediately after high school, dancers who pursue other types of dance including modern, hip hop, and lyrical have more flexibility in their decision. This decision is usually made after weighing the pros and cons and making a decision that’s best for the individual.

 

Some critics argue that the majority of college dance programs are not designed to train professional dancers, and that dancers benefit most from professional experience accompanied by studio classes. Others argue that a college degree helps dancers to prepare for post-dance careers, develop their level of maturity and learn many of the skills they will need to live in cities like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago where there are lots of opportunities for work.

 

If you’re a dancer and you’re struggling with whether or not college is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

 

• Do you have other interests outside of dance that are equally important to you that can be nurtured by attending college?
• Do you have a desire to teach at the collegiate level as a post-dance career?
• Do you think college would be beneficial in helping you learn important life skills and lessons such as meeting deadlines and following through on projects before you head out into the real world?
• Is having a “backup plan” important to you?

 

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then college may be an important step in your journey. However, if you’re still not sure, you might also look into colleges that offer delayed enrollment, which would allow you to take the professional route for a year with the option of entering college the following year. Some dancers also try community college while pursuing their dance career in order to earn credits in a less demanding setting.

 

If you’d like to explore professional dance opportunities in your area, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com and check out some of our casting notices.

Star Search Member Spotlight: Melanie Tillbrook

While we pride ourselves on being a resource for aspiring entertainers, there are also lots of Star Search Casting members who have already achieved enormous success. I like to spotlight these members occasionally as a reminder to others of the opportunities that are available in the entertainment industry and how attainable success in this business can be.

Melanie Tillbrook is a Star Search Casting Silver member currently residing in Miami, Florida. Her page has been viewed nearly 60,000 times by casting directors, agents and other visitors. Melanie, like many other Star Search Casting members, has a number of interests and has pursued opportunities in music, dance, acting and modeling. She’s even currently working on developing her own independent music label, Fire House Entertainment.

Melanie has gained a tremendous amount of exposure through the numerous jobs that she has booked. She has appeared in a number of national publications including Maxim, Super Street Bike Magazine, and Sister 2 Sister in both editorials and advertisements. You also may have seen her in the music video for “I Won’t Tell” by Fat Joe and J. Holiday, on the cover of the calendar published by Muscle Mustang magazine, or on The Best Damn Sports Show or the Home Shopping Network. She’s developed an extensive resume, which includes experience in television, music videos, runway shows, calendars, commercials and more. Not only has Melanie pursued opportunities in music, acting, modeling and dance, she’s excelled at all of them! In fact, in addition to singing in the choir at Florida State University, she also studied both ballet and modern dance there and was a backup dancer for Snoop Dogg on the Projekt Revolution Tour. Pretty impressive, right?

In addition to her past accomplishments, Melanie has lots in store for her in 2008, including hosting a local Miami television show called Spread the Word TV. To her credit, Melanie has managed to juggle all of her success while simultaneously attending college to earn her degree in business. We want to congratulate Melanie on all of her achievements and wish her the best as she continues to excel in the entertainment industry!

If you’re inspired by Melanie Tillbrook’s success and are eager to pursue a career as an actor, dancer, singer or model, visit www.StarSearchCasting.com today to gain access to tons of opportunities that can help to propel your career. You can also browse profiles of other Star Search Casting members who are proving they have what it takes to make their mark on the entertainment industry!

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Get casting information, audition tips, and access to other valuable resources from Jonathan Parker, Founder and CEO of Star Search Casting (http://www.StarSearchCasting.com). If you’re a dancer, singer, model or actor, check in each day for tips on how to launch your career and land your dream Hollywood job today!

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Get casting information, audition tips, and access to other valuable resources from Jonathan Parker, Founder and CEO of Star Search Casting (http://www.StarSearchCasting.com). If you’re a dancer, singer, model or actor, check in each day for tips on how to launch your career and land your dream Hollywood job today!

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How Editorial Work Pays Off

If you’re an aspiring model, you probably spend a great deal of time pouring over the pages of glossy magazines, admiring the models that grace the pages. You probably study their poses and their expressions and imagine that one day you too will be featured in some of the industry’s most popular fashion magazines modeling high fashion trends and the world’s most glamorous brands.

Editorial work for a model is one of the most surefire ways to get exposure in the modeling industry. Models who successively book editorial jobs, and appear in numerous magazines month after month are seen by industry executives and decision makers as rising stars. This signifies that not only do they have the look of the moment, but that art directors, photographers and fashion editors love to work with them. This can boost your career tremendously and open many doors. Magazines often set the standard for the rest of the industry which means that editorial work in fashion magazines often leads to runway shows, calls from major advertisers, catalog work and other major opportunities.

While editorial work can do wonders for your career, what you may not know is that it doesn’t pay particularly well. In fact, editorial work is one of the lowest paying jobs in the fashion industry. But this is a small price to pay, because as your popularity in magazines goes up, so does your rate and your demand for other types of jobs. Editorial work also helps you to build a phenomenal portfolio.

There’s one other thing you should be aware of. Remember when I said that lots of work in magazines lets others in the entertainment industry know that you have the “look of the moment?” Well while this is an exciting time, it won’t last long. Therefore it’s important to capitalize on it. If you aren’t noticing a lot of other opportunities arriving on your doorstep during this time, you may need to give your agent a nudge and urge him or her to get your work in front of industry players. If your agent plays it right, your next stop could be anything from a series of runway shows in Milan to an endorsement deal with a major cosmetics company.

Have you visited Star Search Casting this week to explore our modeling and print casting calls? Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com for opportunities for fitness, swimsuit, promotional, lingerie, hair and runway models and so much more!

Facing The Ugly Side Of Modeling

Recently we discovered a scammer who claimed to be from an agency called the 29^th Ave W Group. He said that he was recruiting models for an upcoming modeling competition. When we used Google to research the modeling competition and the agency, there were no websites to confirm the legitimacy of the agency or the competition. When we called the phone number he provided, it was an answering service that doubled as a fax, and made no mention of the agency or the competition. Lastly, while the scammer claimed to be from Washington D.C., we later learned that he was actually in Nigeria based on his IP address.

While we often use the Internet or other sources to investigate possible scams, sometimes we’re simply able to detect a scam based on our instincts. Perhaps the wording in the email seems suspicious. Or maybe the tone causes us to question the validity of the offer. But for many of us, our instincts can be our best defense in protecting us from both online and offline scams. That being said, it’s very important that we trust them.

Last year, the Better Business Bureau received 46 complaints from aspiring models and their parents who had been targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre. While many of the victims later said that their instincts told them not to sign with the agency, they still allowed themselves to be pressured into the scam. Some of the allegations against the agency included:

• Charging models more than $2000 for headshots they never received
• High-pressure sales tactics
• Asking models to sign contracts and not providing them with copies of what they had signed
• Though the agency promised them work, the models didn’t receive any calls, auditions or jobs after investing thousands of dollars in the scam.

If you come across an email, newspaper ad, or even a talent scout in the mall and you get a “funny feeling” that something’s not right – don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Had many of the aspiring models targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre relied on their instincts, they would have saved themselves a lot of money and a lot of heartache.

For more information about the latest scams and how to avoid them, log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today and check out our Scam Watch.

Scam Watch: Trusting Your Instincts

Recently we discovered a scammer who claimed to be from an agency called the 29^th Ave W Group. He said that he was recruiting models for an upcoming modeling competition. When we used Google to research the modeling competition and the agency, there were no websites to confirm the legitimacy of the agency or the competition. When we called the phone number he provided, it was an answering service that doubled as a fax, and made no mention of the agency or the competition. Lastly, while the scammer claimed to be from Washington D.C., we later learned that he was actually in Nigeria based on his IP address.

While we often use the Internet or other sources to investigate possible scams, sometimes we’re simply able to detect a scam based on our instincts. Perhaps the wording in the email seems suspicious. Or maybe the tone causes us to question the validity of the offer. But for many of us, our instincts can be our best defense in protecting us from both online and offline scams. That being said, it’s very important that we trust them.

Last year, the Better Business Bureau received 46 complaints from aspiring models and their parents who had been targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre. While many of the victims later said that their instincts told them not to sign with the agency, they still allowed themselves to be pressured into the scam. Some of the allegations against the agency included:

• Charging models more than $2000 for headshots they never received
• High-pressure sales tactics
• Asking models to sign contracts and not providing them with copies of what they had signed
• Though the agency promised them work, the models didn’t receive any calls, auditions or jobs after investing thousands of dollars in the scam.

If you come across an email, newspaper ad, or even a talent scout in the mall and you get a “funny feeling” that something’s not right – don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Had many of the aspiring models targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre relied on their instincts, they would have saved themselves a lot of money and a lot of heartache.

For more information about the latest scams and how to avoid them, log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today and check out our Scam Watch.