My husband called a number he got from a radio ad when I was out of town since he and my daughter heard it together (she's 8). I've researched on this site and others and I have no idea the company name, just that they will be at a convention center in town (medium sized midwestern town) on Sat. I called the Convention center and asked who the company was and the guy said he'd have to call me back. He never did.

The ad said they will audition the first 200 to sign up and they work with Disney, named some popular shows, etc. Just sounds like possibly RPM from what I can gather. My dd has never expressed any interest before now so we are completely green in this business. I'm leery but will go just for her to get the experience.

Is this really how open casting calls/auditions advertise? Could it possibly be legit? Also, they asked that she and WE dress nicely, like we are going out to dinner (what does that mean? Why do they care how WE are dressed?).

Some red flags:

1. Radio ad

2. Baiting you with names like Disney, Nickelodeon, Hannah Montana, etc.

3. Open call at a big convention center

My advice: run for the hills. Do not go. If you want to get your daughter some acting experience, try local,reputible childrens' or community theater groups. With no experience whatsoever, it's not like she's going to be jumping right in on any of the television shows they mentioned in their ad, if they were even connected with them (which I assure you they are not).

Thanks Dramamama, I'm just trying to figure out how to explain to her that it's not a real opportunity/audition. I had this feeling as soon as my husband told me. I will look into local programs if she really wants to act (although I think it was more of the thought of a glamorous Disney gig that excited her).

That's the exact problem with these scams: they hook kids on the idea of being a "star," whan what you really have to want to be is an "actor," with all the work and training that entails. I thought you put it beautifully in your message; just tell her that they're not nice people who really have nothing to do with Disney and that, if she really wants to try performing, you'll find a local outlet for her.

Good luck!

This is who they are...please let Anne know as it may be helpful. Good job doing your homework!

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9611031/m/5...=598106421#598106421

"I'm just trying to figure out how to explain to her that it's not a real opportunity/audition. I had this feeling as soon as my husband told me. I will look into local programs if she really wants to act (although I think it was more of the thought of a glamorous Disney gig that excited her."

Unfortunately it is a scam and a huge one. Tell you daughter there are bad people out there that just want to make money and use people's dreams to get it. If she only thinks of being a Disney star better to drop the whole thing now. But if she really wants to act try some local theater, look for some student films and things like that. If she is still interested after that then you know she is serious. Watch out for scams, they are everywhere.

Thanks for the replies an info. Hmmm, now I'm wondering if we should go just to get the info. to send to news agencies to warn others.

hrsm1...
Thank you for posting. You did a good thing today! I know ACT (Academy of Cinema and Televsion) is currently recruiting in Ohio. We've had more than a few complaints at BizParentz.

Here are their websites:
www.academyofcinemaandtv.com

And the one where they don't admit to their full name (more than a little suspcious--could it be they are trying to avoid people who can google their name?):
www.theact.tv

I promise you, Disney and Nickelodeon do not participate in these "open calls" nor do they endorse any schools.

Here is an article about scams from our website that might help you explain this to your daughter. Sometimes it helps to know how it works and that you aren't alone:
http://www.bizparentz.org/gettingstarted/avoidingscams.html

You can also cool the disappointment by suggesting that maybe there is a silver lining. Perhaps you have found an activity that your daughter is really interested in, and might enjoy..and obviously Mom was smart enough to research the opportunities. All the makings of a good start in showbiz, in my book. :-)

I just put together some start up resources for the Ohio area with some help from moms who work there. If you want to email privately, I can send that to you. There is no need, IMO, to spend that kind of money.

Also, if you are considering going to the event, there ARE some community service things you could assist with. ;-)

To private message me, just click on my screen name and choose "view public profile" then private message. Or if you prefer, I can be reached at bizparentz@aol.com.

Thanks,
Anne

Anne, I PM'd you.

It's JRP! They called to verify that we were going today and I asked who the company was. She acted like we were so priviledged to even be a part of it!

We're not going.

we went and it WAS a total scam. We were told that over 900 people were there for the weekend "auditions". What a mistake! Wasted time energy and our daughters dream.

hrsm1--thanks so much for the info and your offer to help. I'm glad you didnt' waste your time though. You are a smart cookie.

KyLeesMom -- if you happen to have kept the materials they handed out, BizParentz would love to see them. Please email us at bizparentz@aol.com if you are willing to share.

Thanks to both of you for reporting back so that others know what happened. You will save someone a trip the next time around. :-)

A

We just went to an A.C.T. audition this past weekend in Cleveland. They called us today and "accepted" my two daughters. I didn't do it. Hope I made the right decision.

ACT was in Cleveland this weekend, and will be again next weekend. Said they only took 35 out of the 800, but they took everyone we were there with (11 kids). Said I would have to pay up front, sign tonight. I told them I had a flat tire and couldn't get up there for callbacks and they requested a credit card on the phone. It was at the Crown Plaza. Dates for workshops to be at hotel, still were not booked as of today. Phone numner was 877-214-0770, call back number was 8772141882, and Zack caller id call back number was 4806865104. Lilly was modeling scout.

Lilly was our modeling scout as well and same phone numbers. Sounds like we had the same exact experience. Interesting ........