P.S. The brochure I alluded to earlier from the NYS CPB is not the same one Mr. James is providing (and that link doesn't go to it either). I'm not sure what the confusion is here. The brochure is no longer on the CPB site, and I am looking for a way that it can still be accessed. The NY CPB program was born out of investigations into Fashion Rock / Lou Pearlman. One paragraph from the NYS CPB pamphlet says:

"Be wary of workshops that charge you a fee to be "seen" by or "audition" for a casting director, producer, agent or manager."

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Yes, this is the modeling scam education campaign I spearheaded. The brochure was my idea and came from many years working with the Consumer Protection Board. I brought the idea to the CPB and asked them to contact SAG NY and work along side with them to write a brochure and also start an education campaign to hand out to schools and actually go out and be a part of panel discussions so that no one would EVER have to reach into their pocket to start a career.

Unfortunately, the funding was stopped with our new Governor stepped in, Elliot Spitzer and the campaign ended and that's a shame and ironic because it was Elliot Spitzer that hit a so called model management company on Long Island with a $500,000 fine and infiltrated the Lou Perlman/Transcontinental scam.

I have provided Paula with all the information, which I've saved and in all the time working with the CPB I have never come across this gentleman's name, Mr. James, as an advocate for modeling/talent agency scams.

This is the Senator who spearheaded the campaign from my district on Long Island.

http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/oca/NewsRelease/2003/04012003.html

This was the campaign:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/ny_modeling_scams.html

http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/Consumer/20051026/


I am sure if we would have seen something this huge being attached to so many business ventures with the dollar sign hugely attached it, it would be a prime example of what not to spend your money on.

Have to say one thing, Paula, at least the parents, compared to ten years back..or longer, when we started our own awareness campaign FOR FREE, are able to raise their own red flags and RAISE THEIR OWN QUESTIONS AND SAY, hey...you want me to spend money on WHAT, FOR WHAT AND WHY!

YEAH!

Unfortunately, anyone I have ever spoken to who has been talked into doing any sort of convention or scouting event will defend it to the end. I don't know if it is the fact that they don't want to admit that they may have been taken or if they just really want to believe what they are being sold at any cost. No matter what you say, you can't shake their devotion to that process, they are positive it is the best way to break into the business. They ask for your opinion, but then can't hear what you have to say unless it backs up what they already believe. It is almost like they are brainwashed. They have been fed a rebuttal to any valid question that you can ask them. They have all the answers. It is only after the fact, sometime down the road, when they look back and realize that there are other ways that don't cost a fortune to achieve their goals. Then they are able to admit that they may have been taken. At least that is my experience when I've talked to people who have been in those situations.

i think that 20/20 should do one of there shows on model and acting scams......

There have been plenty of shows on scams. Unfortunately this business is so under-regulated that anyone can boast to be the one to make someone a star and make them believe that the only way to do it (usually marketing smaller markets where people don't have the right information) is to go through a convention or attend their school. In addition they make it very convenient to have their own photographer as well and what does a newbie know about spending $$$$$ on photos and a portfolio to boot in the beginning. No one needs a portfolio to find representation, not even in the modeling biz as the modeling agency will more than like want new photos and to their own liking. Having tear sheets is one thing from previous jobs but I've seen upwards of $700 to well into the thousands with some of these modeling schools/management companies...whatever their convenient name is at the time.

Its a huge marketing enterprise. Mr. James is making a good amount of money off of newbies, books, camps, merchandise, off-spring businesses and has inspired even top models to endorse his products. He's motivational and enthusiastic and knows his sales pitch very well and it gets people excited, to have found an expert, one that's been there done that and if you work hard you will succeed and they have finally found a way to break into the biz...supposedly the "right way"!

20/20 will do a show and we'll still get the I'm not doing anything wrong and companies find people who have BOUGHT their salespitch to speak on camera in a positive way!

I agree that success is defined in many ways and a foot in the industry can be done without throwing away hundreds of dollars to "dream-makers" promising "dream camps" to make you a star . My son is 8 years old and we decided to test the waters. In less than a year, he has been in 4 feature films as and extra with A-list stars and has taken photos with them. He has been hired for modeling jobs, and has even appeared as a principle for Television productions that we all know very well. He is having lots of fun and has been "very successful" with his little exposure because he is able to continue with his sports, play with his friends and still maintain an honors status in school. It's ironic that when we sign in to the auditions, and sit next to the parents of kids that have been in the industry for years who have spent thousands of dollars on camps like Mr. James, my son and I laugh to ourselves. We have not even had to have any professional photos taken because a digital camera can give you excellent photos, especially for newbies like us. The only money we have put out so far is gas money!!! ..If they like you, they like you and if they don't!

Hi I'm a simple guy.So explain to me why gregoryjames you just signed up for this message board the DAY your "Wake up call to parents" is written.This to me looks like a BLATANT salespitch/highjack of our legit discussions.Go and pay for advertisement and give some kids real work.I for one will not let this guy use me,I'm even sorry I responded(he doesn't deserve the free time).