Alerting agents and actors...there are some new rules on the horizon. The practice of "selling" agents...ie. selling a list of agencies, or selling meetings or auditions with agents has grown in recent years. It really only exists at the bottom tier of the industry, but it is prevalent. CDs, Agents (especially kids' agents or assistants) make a few bucks, cash under the table on the weekends. Actors are desperate, so they'll pay.

NEWS:
CA Governor just signed the largest anti- talent scam bill in the state's history yesterday. It is ILLEGAL TO CHARGE OR ATTEMPT TO CHARGE AN ARTIST FOR AN AUDITION OR AN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY.

They don't have to promise you a job for it to be illegal. They can't even sell the opportunity.

This bill goes WAY further than that though. It includes a 10 day refund clause, the ability to have your name/image taken OFF of talent service sites (when they claim you for a "success story"), max contracts of one year, certain language that needs to be in all contracts, the keeping of a ton of records, penalities for false advertising, etc. It regulates Talent Consulting Services, Talent Listing Services (like websites), and Talent Training Services (like franchised acting schools).

I highly suggest that anyone involved in workshops, seminars, franchised acting schools, and the like.... as an organizer or an agent/manager who visits, print this new bill out and take it to your attorney before you attend an event after the law takes effect.

Here is the bill:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/...91011_chaptered.html

This is a big win for consumers. Not so fab for agents, managers and CDs who are being used as "bait" for scammers.

A

Also wanted to mention that there were two convictions last week by the LA City Attorney.

One was for Carl Carranza, of Scooters Fabulous Flashcast. He was advertising on craigslist for casting for babies (yes, the guy was ripping off INFANTS). Apparently, when parents paid him $1200 or so, he gave them a list of 12 Los Angeles agents who supposedly would take his clients.

THAT is selling an agent.

Since he was convicted before the new law passed though, he was not charged under the new provisions. Instead he was convicted of false advertising.

The other conviction concerns a modeling company that was running a photo mill type of scam. I want to be sure of the exact company name though, so I'll wait to post until I have the press release.

Lastly, re-posted from another thread. But I think it is important for those looking for agents to see who in the industry supports this law. I think it is about time for everyone, actors, agents, CDs, etc. to recognize that paying to play is WRONG.

Here's who else thinks it is wrong:

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Since our industry seems to think everyone is always fighting, I want to point out that this bill was an INCREDIBLE joint effort. These are the organizations that worked hard to get this done. It involved a million re-writes, lobbyists from each organization ($$$), trips to Sacramento to testify...basically a year of full time work. These are not just names on a list, I promise--these organizations WORKED.

Look at this list. Is there any doubt that the industry is just SICK of the scammers? This is who deserves the high fives:

Sponsor and Author: Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, Burbank

Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney
Better Business Bureau
Screen Actors Guild
BizParentz Foundation
Billy DaMota Casting
California District Attorney's Association
Marin County District Attorney
Orange County District Attorney
San Diego City Attorney
San Francisco District Attorney
The Walt Disney Company
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (includes Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc., Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Universal Studios LLLP, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

The lone opposition to the bill?
John Robert Powers and their affiliated companies. They actually created a *new* "organization" to oppose the bill. They called it "Association of Modeling and Talent Agencies".
NO ONE in that "organization" is a licensed talent agent.

Just want to give credit where credit is due.

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quote:

ures, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc., Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Universal Studios LLLP, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

Very heartening to see major production companies like Disney and Paramount standing up for actors.

Thank you so much for posting this information. I am sure that New York is not far behind...

quote:

Originally posted by TheActorsEnterprise:
Thank you so much for posting this information. I am sure that New York is not far behind...

We will make sure New York is right behind and perhaps some industry reps making the rounds event after event, weekend auditions, convention after convention may have to find another profession if they can't make it by finding the talent already on their rosters some good solid work. It's shameful to see the same names over and over again..this event has the best talent ever..we love coming here to find new faces, yadda yadda on who's dime? Seems like basic free open calls would provide the same if they really wanted to find new fresh talent.