Con artists in Portland tend to like to victimize the actors and models that are just starting their career and may be green behind the ears yet, but there are some out there that will still target even the veterans in the industry there in Portland. They are good at what they do and this can compromise your peace of mind and safety; they will hone their skills just like you so they can keep up the game. That's why you should be aware of them so you can get the jump on them first as you begin your career. They really like to attack those that are just graduating out of acting or modeling school in Portland. They target graduates because of their lack of experience in the field. You will have a much easier time in Portland if you understand how to spot these con artists before they take you for your worth in Portland.
In the year of 2017, there was an undercover investigation that shook the acting community around the country. There were criminal charges filed against 28 defendants linked to five casting workshops over alleged pay to play schemes. A year-long effort by government officials found that these workshops had violated the Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act when they charged their aspiring actors to participate in auditions. Among those charged were several well-known casting professionals with credits in shows on Netflix, ABC and CBS.
That is just one high profile example of the scams you may see even in Portland that target people in the entertainment industry. If you are just starting out or it’s early in your career, you need to be careful about upfront fees, guarantees of employment and really anything that looks too good to be true as you start your career in Portland. A national director and senior counsel at SAG-AFTRA, once said that it is imperative for new actors to talk to those that are more experienced in the industry. Articles online about scams in the entertainment industry can be really helpful in gaining more knowledge however on the ground experience is really invaluable. So you should find yourself a trusted mentor in Portland that can help point out the less than reputable companies and individuals hoping to exploit you.
It helps to know the warning signs as you start looking into finding a good agency or looking for auditions in Portland. In acting or any entertainment career, there are bad actors. You can spot them by noticing if they have upfront fees. Talent service companies or talent agencies are not allowed to charge upfront fees to their clients in exchange for the promise of securing employment. There are numerous services in places like Portland that market themselves as casting agencies and promise auditions and employment opportunities, offering to promote new actors on their websites.
One sure fire thing you can do as you come around to working with a talent agency before even going to meet them is to check with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to ensure the business holds the appropriate licenses and permits. You should also ask for references and research online reviews of the business to see if other talent or models have complained about their services. Get everything...contracts, promises in writing and keep copies.
An entertainment industry scam can be a sad affair because actors tend to be very hopeful and obviously you have to be optimistic and hopeful to be an actor in the first place. This hurdle can be so vast, the hurdle is also high, but it can make even the more seasoned actor a little gullible. Though if you are talking to someone in Portland that seems to have “unearned bravado”, they are saying that they are “a big Hollywood manager,” or “Big Hollywood agent,” that is clearly a scam. Also be skeptical if you receive an unsolicited offer. It is a bit of a myth, that actors and models can be discovered anywhere...gas stations, the mall. If you find that someone is approaching you unprompted, do your research.
