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DragonukConnects Audition Safety Message
Moderator
Total posts: 245
Joined: 14 year(s) ago
Posted 11:54 AM Jul. 16, 2009

DragonukConnects Audition Safety Message


1) Never ever go alone! Unless you are familiar with the people involved Never go alone to an Audition. There are Hundreds of ways to do this:


A). Go with another Actor that is also Auditioning


B). Take a trusted friend that will be there if needed but will be quiet and sit off to the side so you can work. This Audition is your only interview for the job you want – someone that is going to distract you, Keep you from reviewing the script you need to learn or disrupt the Audition in any fashion – will KILL your chances of being hired.


There are some scummy people out there looking for gullible actors and models promising the moon and the stars in exchange for sexual favors and/or money. I'm sure you've all heard of the "Casting Couch"? Well it's not a myth. It happens all the time. And although it's more prevalent in NY and LA, don't assume it can't occur in your area.


Although at DragonukConnects we try to check out the legitimacy of every posting, we cannot guarantee that every posting is legit. It is your responsibility to make sure you check out the people involved in the notice you reply to. We all know who the Major Casting directors & Agents are in our market (and where their Offices are) so I’m not referring to them (Although Offices are sold or Closed). A Posting from a trusted name at a different location could be real or it could be from someone using a trusted name and no connection to the office.


If you ever see a posting that reads "come by yourself" or “This is a closed audition – do not bring friends or family” DO NOT GO- The job is not worth it.


2). If the Audition location is not a Known Major Agents, Casting Director, Theatre or Production Company’s Normal Business Address – CHECK THE LOCATION OUT


There are Dozens of Resources to Check known Companies outTIVA’s Production Company List, VA Production Alliance, The VA production Guide at the VA Film Office website, DC Office of Motion Picture and TV Development Production Guide, MD Production Guide on the MD Film office Website, WIFV MD OR DC websites, Greater Philadelphia Film Office Production Guide, Philadelphia Theatre Alliance, Baltimore Theatre Alliance, League of Washington Theatres, DragonukConnects Resource Center and Many, many more.


These Known locations from known Companies are usually safe In today’s market anyone can hold an audition Anyplace. So Check Unknown Locations & Unknown Sources out Completely.


Use Common Sense:


1). Google the location and see what it is


2). If it’s a Hotel/Motel make sure it is a Conference/Meeting Room not a Room with a bed.


3). There are Smaller Photographer studio’s & Agent’s working out of a Home office or studio. Unless they are well known and that IS Their PUBLISHED address – Do not go alone.


4). Public Places like Library meeting rooms, College or University rooms, Restaurant/ Bar/Coffee Shop meeting rooms are used a lot But you need to be sure the Location is Open and other people are Around


5). If it’s a Filmmaker or Production Company you have never heard of Ask about Earlier Projects and Check them out if any. If it is a First film you need their Resume (And other Crew Members) to see what they have done before. They have to have worked on something else Before – Someplace.


6). If it’s a Student at a University making his Project so they can Graduate Check with the University about the Student. If they don’t know them – You don’t know then either – DO NOT GO.


7). ALWAYS REMEMBER your SAFTY IS JOB 1


8). There are Never Ever, Ever any charges or fee’s to Audition for work – None Never – No you do not want them to explain Why

-Do not go – Leave if they ask for money at the Audition

[User Deleted]
Posted 6:17 PM Dec. 5, 2009
I ran into scam #2 once. There was an ad on the radio about a modeling company that was coming to a Holiday Inn a little more than an hour from my house. I was 14 or 15 and I only had regular pictures. My dad took me and the place was packed.

After interviewing everyone (for a few hours), they called back a select few people to talk some more. I was not called and pretty dissapointed.

A few days later, someone called for me and said that 'we tried to call you back the other night but couldn't find you, can you come to the office and we can talk about classes/headshots/etc'. Luckily I had gotten some advice from a working actor before this and I knew this was a con. But man is it hard to resist when someone dangles your dreams in front of you.

Just think of all the other people there with the same dreams who probably got that same call and weren't warned beforehand.
Total posts: 38
Joined: 14 year(s) ago
Posted 10:45 AM Oct. 2, 2010
This is good advice, and I would add anyone who contacts you about a job out of the blue. Research them on the internet. For me they have to have a website that looks professional, an address, a phone number, samples of their work. I ask for the script and the names of other actors and crew booked for the film looking for someone that I know.

A few months ago I got an email from someone who offered me a paid role in a film. Although I asked, he provided no crew or actors' names, no website, no work samples. I could find no information on him on the internet and the scene I was to appear in in the snippet of script he emailed me was in a wooded area in a regional park. I politely declined.
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Total posts: 1
Joined: 10 year(s) ago
Posted 3:17 AM May. 22, 2013

One good rule. Anyone who asks you for money at at anytime for any reason is not a legitmate talent or casting agent. Legitimate agents make their money from getting you work, not from pictures or classes.