After reading true stories about actors and models that are missing or murdered by predators posing as filmmakers, I begin to look back at film projects I have done where I could've easily shared the same fate. Now I try my best to eliminate such risks by doing checks through Google & IMDB to see if they are at least legit, but sometimes even that is not enough:

For instance I was just cast in a non-union feature by a filmmaker that has a few IMDB credits, and when we met at a coffee house to discuss the project, he seemed like a nice and professional person. However what caused concern for me was that since his film would be very low budget, most of it will be shot at his house.

I understand that often this is perfectly harmless and normal for many student and indie filmmakers to shoot at their homes, therefore what safety measures can we as actors take in such situations? I don't want to be paranoid to a point where I won't audition for many projects out of fear, but I don't want to end up dead either.

I've heard those same stories, too.

In most cases, any legitimate production company will have an office, a dedicated phone line, business connections, licenses, etc. This can be validated through the usual channels -- reputation, word-of-mouth, Better Business Bureau reports, union affiliations and all the rest. But when you're working on a low budget production (student film or indie), it's all gorilla film making -- it doesn't come with a trailer and a comfortable sound stage. That said, I think that the only real way of preventing such tragic events is to bring along a friend. If guests are an issue with the director, once he's gained your trust and proven his worth, you could always curtail the need for a chaperone.

In all cases, "Better safe than sorry."

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

I am an independent film writer/director. My films have played at over 40 festivals worldwide, and I have won 14 awards. My first feature is distributed by Warner Home Video, and I am currently in the late stages of post-production on my second feature film. I give this as an introduction to let you know that my work is "legit".

Even though my projects are "low budget," I would never hold an audition at my apartment. I think that would be a warning sign to stay away. I am one of those rare directors who likes to be at auditions at as early a stage as possible, but I am never the only one in the room during an audition (ie, the CD or another producer would be with me). When I am interviewing actors I am interested in (this, for me, would always be AFTER several callbacks), it would be in a public spot, like a Starbucks. All of this should help the actor understand that I/we are professionals.

Have I shot scenes in my home before? Yes. But by the time that happens, I am confident that all my actors are comfortable with me and the entire production team.

So, trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Bring a friend along until you feel more comfortable. No one worthwhile will prevent you from doing that.

Good luck with your career.

Best,

Ron

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0114583/
www.ronbrownheadshots.com

Thanks for the advice guys: hopefully I can drag one of my brothers or guy friends to tag along when I need to