How can i tell if acting sites arent scams?

Question

sites like star now, instant cast .com

Answer 1

Elizabeth said a lot of good things, but I'll give you some reputable sites to go to:

www.backstage.com - born of dramalogue and now called backstage, long time industry standard!
www.actorsaccess.com - off shoot of the Breakdowns, the casting notices that agents get every morning... another industry standard.

The sites above eventually cost you something unless you know how to work around that :-) With backstage you can search for free to see if it's worth subscribing. Basically if you live in an area where nothing happens, it's not worth it. Actorsaccess you can search free and get all the info, but submitting electronically costs unless you subscribe to Showfax ($68 per year) which is totally worth it if you live where things happen, if not... may not be worth it. However, you can submit hardcopies using your own photos and postage.

Extra Work (depending on where you live, these may not be valuable to you. You can also try searching for your state's film alliance / society / commission websites. They often have information more pertinent to you locale)
http://www.centralcasting.org/LA/actors/registration.html
http://billdancecasting.com/
http://extrasaccess.com/

Information on theatre stuff:
www.actorsequity.org - click on casting call
www.musicaltheatreaudition.com
www.stageagent.com
www.musicals.net

Good luck!

Answer 2

LA and NY are not going to send folks all across the country to find great unknown talent. There is plenty of great unknown talent already in NY & LA.

Ask around. Talk to other actors, directors and trusted teachers. Find out if anyone who has hired a particular scout has ever gotten work through them. Don't trust the testimonials on the websites or in the brochures. Call casting director's offices to find out if they ever visit a particular website or event to cast actors.

Some of these internet “talent scouts” or “conventions” do have agency members in attendance. Sometimes, these agents are paid large sums, or given lavish trips to get them to come. They are not coming to cast actors or models, they are coming for the free trip.

Anyone who gives you a hard sell, or tells you that you are stupid if you do not buy their product, or an amateur if you do not buy their product, is not someone to do business with.

If someone tells you to buy from them and you'll be a big star, keep your money in your pocket. There are no shortcuts. Take classes, act in local theater, get experience.

Acting is hard work - go ahead and resign yourself to that now. You will need to work on your craft, and learn to market yourself, and stay up all night in the cold for an overnight shoot outdoors in December. Most folks who make a living as an actor do lots of commercials and training videos and other distinctly un-glamorous acting jobs.

In the meantime, work on your craft, and go to auditions, and cross examine all Fairy Godmothers very thoroughly.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

If a sites asks for money, your name, address, age, etc. it is a SCAM.

Answer 5

For Acting, I would recommend

http://www.hollywoodnorth.com