Con artists in Hartford tend to like to victimize the actors and models that are just starting their career and may be green behind the ears yet, but there are some out there that will still target even the veterans in the industry there in Hartford. They are good at what they do and this can compromise your peace of mind and safety; they will hone their skills just like you so they can keep up the game. That's why you should be aware of them so you can get the jump on them first as you begin your career. They really like to attack those that are just graduating out of acting or modeling school in Hartford. They target graduates because of their lack of experience in the field. You will have a much easier time in Hartford if you understand how to spot these con artists before they take you for your worth in Hartford.
An undercover investigation really shook the acting community everywhere, even in Hartford back in 2017. There were 28 defendants that had criminal charges pressed against them when they were found guilty of being linked to five casting workshops and this was just over alleged pay to play schemes. A year-long effort by government officials found that these workshops had violated the Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act when they charged their aspiring actors to participate in auditions. Among those charged were several well-known casting professionals with credits in shows on Netflix, ABC and CBS.
That is just one high profile example of the scams you may see even in Hartford that target people in the entertainment industry. If you are just starting out or it’s early in your career, you need to be careful about upfront fees, guarantees of employment and really anything that looks too good to be true as you start your career in Hartford. A national director and senior counsel at SAG-AFTRA, once said that it is imperative for new actors to talk to those that are more experienced in the industry. Articles online about scams in the entertainment industry can be really helpful in gaining more knowledge however on the ground experience is really invaluable. So you should find yourself a trusted mentor in Hartford that can help point out the less than reputable companies and individuals hoping to exploit you.
When you start looking to find yourself a good agency to work with or even just looking for auditions in Hartford, you should know that knowing the warning signs is half the battle when it comes to not falling victim to a scam in the entertainment industry. In any actor or entertainment career, there are bad actors. You can spot them by noticing if they have upfront fees. Talent service companies or talent agencies are not allowed to charge upfront fees to their clients in exchange for the promise of securing employment. There are numerous services in places like Hartford that market themselves as casting agencies and promise auditions and employment opportunities, offering to promote new actors on their websites.
One sure fire thing you can do as you come around to working with a talent agency before even going to meet them is to check with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to ensure the business holds the appropriate licenses and permits. You should also ask for references and research online reviews of the business to see if other talent or models have complained about their services. Get everything...contracts, promises in writing and keep copies.
An entertainment industry scam can be a sad affair because actors tend to be very hopeful and obviously you have to be optimistic and hopeful to be an actor in the first place. This hurdle can be so vast, the hurdle is also high, but it can make even the more seasoned actor a little gullible. Though if you are talking to someone in Hartford that seems to have “unearned bravado”, they are saying that they are “a big Hollywood manager,” or “Big Hollywood agent,” that is clearly a scam. Also be skeptical if you receive an unsolicited offer. It is a bit of a myth, that actors and models can be discovered anywhere...gas stations, the mall. If you find that someone is approaching you unprompted, do your research.
