Seeking Legitimate Talent Agency

You should NOT pay for a Talent Agency. That's the first sign that they are NOT legitimate. There are LOADS of people out there willing to sell you dreams for a lot of money with nothing in return. Especially parents who are unfamiliar with how the business works.

There is a book you can buy called The Kids Book: A Guide to Acting in Chicago. (The library should carry it.) Go to www.performink.com to order. You can also go to Act One www.actone.com and buy the Act One report which lists all the local agencies and whether or not they have a children's division.

You do NOT need professional pictures for children. A great color snapshot will do. Don't let them convince you otherwise. Kids change way too quickly to drop $###-###-#### a year on professional pictures. But a great color snapshot (that shows personality as well as looks) will help you get seen by the agencies.

And lastly, think seriously about whether or not YOU want to do this. It will be your job to take her around to all of these auditions, to deal with the agencies and casting directors. There is often very little notice before an audition, it's usually some place downtown, and for some you can wait around for 2 hours in order to be seen for 5 minutes. With acting and modeling 5% is the actual working the job of it and 95% is spent trying to get those jobs.

If your daughter is patient, flexible, agreeable, and has an out going personality, and you have the time to devote to this then give it a go. Chicago is a great town for it.

Good luck!

Hi A.,
read this response this morning, thought I would share.
Good Luck on your endeavor.

SMART MONEY
By Bruce Williams

DEAR BRUCE: I was contacted by a man from a local modeling Web site. After numerous contacts he said he wanted to audition me. We talked about auditioning for a role in a soap opera that will be done for HBO. He said he wanted to put me on the payroll right away, since I had told him I needed money and was going out of town for a photo shoot. He wanted me to stay here, so he put me on a retainer with his company for $2,000 a week. I was to pick up my first check from him the following week. He called his office and asked me to give him my name, address and Social Security number. Then he gave me an employee number and sent me on my way. He said he would contact me and send a list of jobs and set up some appointments. I have not heard anything from him in two days. Should I be worried about having given him my Social Security number? Do you think I was scammed for that number? He didn't ask me for anything else. I signed nothing and paid nothing.
--Reader, via e-mail

DEAR Reader: What in the world would persuade him to put you on a retainer for $2,000 a week? I surely hope it comes out, but I can see no reason for it to. You mentioned that you paid nothing and signed nothing, so I suspect the only exposure you'll have is the personal information that you gave him. We are going to contact you and see if there is more to the story. My readers hope you will respond. To be continued.

This was under the category dance & drama, so maybe it's for that.? If so, what about any teacher she has had? Can they recommend anyone?

I had a neighbor who was told that she was the model type and the guy gave her his card. So she went for an interview, signed up for modeling school, paid for it and never go an assignment out of it.

Be careful. Good idea to post here and see if anyone has information.

M.

Stewart Talent Agency 312-943-331. Lily's Talent Agency www.lilytalent.com. Ambassador & Arlene Wilson.

Everyone is correct that you have to be careful. Legit agencies do not ask for money nor do they give "classes" that you have to sign up for and pay for. They will take a commission that is ususally 10% once they get you a job. As for that scenario below-ridiculous! You won't be doing any work like that (for tv, HBO etc.) without joining AFTRA first! That is the union for broadcasting. Do educate yourself. There are no easy shortcuts....

Well im not sure if theres such thing of that. you should try pagents