So you want to be a star...or have a moment in the limelight. But my question is this: Should you have to pay to be noticed? Or is it part of a scam? (Paying is setting up a profile on-line for casters to view.)

are we talking about porn?

Porn? No! LOL. I'm talking about extras in movies or shows or commercials...an actor and so on. Not porn. If anything, that should be free to make. Anyone can do porn.

Having a good agent/manager means paying... start low to get noticed and in your foot in the door, consult with an attorney prior to signing off on ANY contract that involves YOU paying before you are put to work.

The truly good Agents and Managers will see talent for what it is and push to make money off of you, it is their job to do so.

The very best agents and managers will not charge you before you land your first gig.

The most money you spend will be on Head Shots and Body Shots when you are starting out...

Alright! Thanks...that sounds like a plan there.

yes its a scam.

you need to look into legit agencies. go to open casting calls. take classes in whatever artform you're lookin into.

don't be just some boob who goes up on stage and makes everyone cringe with embarrassment for you.

:D

Thanks for the heads up.

Not unless your the one getting paid.

Thanks MirrorMirror! Ha Ha! I was always told that a person should never pay to become a model or an actor. If a director wants that person, they will do all they can to get them without putting a fee on their head. It's so easy to fall into. But I know I need my money...I'm not going to fall into a scam. America's in deep debt anyway. LOL

Take it from a person who's been a member of Screen Actors Guild for the better part of thirteen years- talent agents get their 8% after YOU get work. Not before, and they don't charge "per job".

You're probably better off just going to open casting calls where plop down your 8X10 and resume (you DO have an 8X10 and resume, right???) and audition. Once you've got a couple of jobs under your belt, then you can consider going to a commercial talent agent (as commercials are the next step after being an extra).

Just be aware that trying to do the acting thing is REALLY hard, so don't quit your day-job just yet. There's a reason only 3% of all actors out there actually make money while the others are relegated to waiting tables and stuff.

If you got some specific agent/manager/casting questions, hit up the Screen Actors Guild website www.sag.com. It's got all the information you'll ever need and THEN some.

You are too awesome. Thank you so much!

Also- be sure the talent agent you go to is registered with Screen Actors Guild, too. The ones registered with SAG are a wee bit more reputable than the grease-ball with the Mr.T-esque neck-chains trying to represent you from the back of their El Camino or something. The SAG website should also have a list of them as well.

The most important thing to keep in mind when trying to do the acting thing is this- you NEED a tough hyde to make it in the business. You can't be all tore up if some jerk-wad casting director tells you you're not right for the part because you're not this-or-that.

Also- take acting lessons, specifically ones that teach you how to go through the whole auditioning process. The hippy-dippy drama-queen acting courses help too, but the ones that teach you how to audition, do cold readings, and otherwise give you the skills you need to GET the job in the first place are the most important.

You can take all the ethereal Stella Adler-centric method acting courses you can take, but it won't do you any good if you don't even know how to audition and seal the deal right off the bat. And it's a well-known fact that the most successful actors are the ones who can nail the auditions, NOT because they have so many years being a student of Brect or Stanislavsky.

Well, I will have to look into all this. I know a few people that can help too. I'll get some guidance from them as well. Your information will definitely be taken to heart.