When you sign up with someone to develop your acting or modelling talents, you should know you have the same 10-day cooling-off period as with other personal development services. All you have to do is write the agent a letter cancelling the agreement. And if the company’s representations or sales pitches turn out to be false or misleading, Part III of the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 gives you one year to rescind the agreement by, for example, a registered or hand-delivered letter. Services relating to modelling and talent where payment in advance is required and that payment is more than $50 are covered by the act.
Smart shopping experts at the ministry have worked with respected professionals in the entertainment industry to provide the following tips to help keep your feet on the ground if you have stars in your eyes.
Casting Calls in the Newspaper
You may sometimes see a casting call in the newspaper even though the entertainment industry code of ethics prohibits agents from advertising for clients in general publications. The experts say that any ad you see in the newspaper classified section has not likely been placed by an agency — you’re unlikely to want to join once you know all the facts. Most good agents are very busy with clients who have suitable experience and have contacted them because they specialize in the agent’s particular area of expertise.
Photographs
Actors generally require only head shots, which cost an average of $175-$200. Scam artists may tell you a big, expensive portfolio of photographs is necessary. But legitimate agents don’t take photographs, recommend a photographer or offer photographic services.
How is someone talked into the full treatment? In one recent example, a consumer said she and her husband both went with their teenage daughter when she answered a "talent agency" ad. They met with the agent, who promised the daughter work only if she’d agree to the photo portfolio which cost nearly $1,000.
The consumer later reported, "My husband and I both went to the meeting, and this man convinced us that nothing in the world was more important than having the photos taken. He was very persuasive. Of course, the offer was extra hard to refuse because my daughter was sitting there with her eyes shining, imagining herself a star.
"Later, when we got home, I began to think, ‘Normally, we’d never buy anything as expensive as that portfolio without a lot of discussion and thought.’ But the man said the offer was only good at that time.”
Luckily, this consumer got her money back, but many are not so fortunate. The "agent" could have moved on to another town and been impossible to trace.
Most professionals find photographers through other people in the business. If you don’t know some insiders to ask for a reference, you probably aren’t experienced enough to need a photographer.
Background or "Extra" Roles
Agencies that specialize in finding work for walk-on performers, who do not have speaking roles, are known as “background agencies” and they will not represent you for other acting jobs. Many actors have contracts with both a background and a talent agency.
People who work for legitimate background agencies pay a small signing fee of generally less than $100 upon signing a contract. They are required to pay the agency 15 per cent of their earnings. The agency expects you to take the unsigned contract to your lawyer for review before you sign. The background agency does not require you to be trained. Appearance, wardrobe and availability are the assets they seek.
Principal Agents
Principal agents deal with acting roles. They don’t offer training and can’t guarantee work. They take on people who have experience and training in voice, acting and movement. Generally, before being taken seriously by a talent agent, actors have demonstrated their determination by working in community theatre or non-union television. The experts say even a teenage actor will be expected to be studying acting at school.
Principal agents will also expect you to sign a contract after your lawyer reviews it.
Commercials
The experts say anyone who suggests that you can make easy money in commercials isn’t being honest. National campaigns are likely to employ unionized actors. If there are "real people" appearing in the commercial, they are probably famous.
For More Information
To find out more about choosing an ethical agent, contact the Acting and Modelling Information Service (AMIS) at 416-977-3832. AMIS is an industry watchdog that runs an information hotline and website about the business practices of talent and modelling agents.
If you have been approached by or have signed a contract with someone you think may be an unethical agent, visit Need Help for more information.
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