Casting scam? Yes, many people worry them will be taken advantage of in the acting and modeling industries. These fraudulent auditions often target people with little experience or knowledge of the industries and tricks them into giving up their time for a chance at becoming famous.
If you’re new to the acting world, it can be difficult to tell if an audition is real or not. There are so many casting scams out there that it’s hard to know which ones are worth your time and which ones are just trying to take advantage of actors. Casting scams are most common on social media, like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. If you want to avoid these fraudulent auditions, read our blog on how to spot a casting scam quickly and easily.
You probably get a lot of casting calls for possible auditions if you’re an actor. But how do you know which ones are legit and which ones are red flags? Sadly, there are scam artists out there who will try to take your money in exchange for access to casting opportunities. How do you know if an audition is a scam? Read on for some insider information about common red flags that indicate a casting is likely fraudulent.
15 Tips to Spot Fake Casting Calls for Auditions
Casting calls for auditions are posted all the time and that means there are also fake casting calls that pop up from time to time. If you’re looking to land a role in a production and audition for it, it can be confusing. How do you know if a casting call is real or not? Well, we’ve compiled some advice to help you figure out which ones are the real deal and which ones aren’t.
Auditions can be nerve-wracking and intimidating but they’re also the only way to get cast in a role you want. We understand how scary this process might seem but don’t be afraid! With these tips, we help you identify fakes and separate the auditions that are worth your time from those that are not.
Look at the Casting Call Email
The very first thing you should do is check the email associated with the casting call. Depending on where you are based, you should also be aware of the “Email Scam Alert” warning from the Federal Trade Commission. They have tips to help you spot the fakes, including one that you should look at the email address carefully.
If the email’s from someone with a name that is not associated with the project, that’s a red flag. Another way scammers try to make their emails look legitimate is by using a false address, so make sure the email address is correct. If you can, research the email or call and ask the casting company for confirmation.
Check When Auditions Are
Most casting calls will list a date and/or a date range for the auditions. If the company seems legitimate, they should list the date and/or date range when you should be auditioning.
We’ve seen a number of fake casting calls where they ask you to audition the same day or even within a few hours of receiving the email. This is highly unlikely and should raise a red flag.
Some scammers try to get a bunch of people to audition for a project at once so the person can’t make it to all of the auditions. So if you see an audition that is set for one day when you can’t make it because of work or you have something else going on, that’s a red flag. Ask if it can be changed. And if they expect you to be there immediately, call and see what is the urgency.
Be Skeptical of Audition Opportunities That are at Weird Locations
Be very cautious of any casting scam that asks you to audition at a weird location. For example a bar or abandoned building. Legitimate production companies are not going to ask you to audition at a weird location because they are paying people to produce the show and have standards. If a casting call specifically says you must go to a certain location you are not comfortable with, call to see what is the situation. If you decide to go, make sure you bring a friend or let people know you are leaving so you can be safe.
Casting Call has Bad Grammar or Typos
Fake auditions are sometimes very easy to spot, like when a casting call has terrible grammar. If an ad is full of errors, it’s easy to deduce that the person posting it isn’t real. To spot a fake, look for spelling mistakes (with an emphasis on grammar), inconsistencies, or things that just don’t make sense.
Double-check all information, like phone numbers, emails, or websites. If something seems off, don’t risk applying. It could be a fake. For example, if a company’s website is misspelled or if their email address is incorrect, it’s probably a fake. There are also fake audition websites out there, so be cautious when submitting information online.
Fake Identities
Some scammers will create an entire profile, build a website and even cast actors for a fake production. Essentially, they want to get your hopes up – just to let you down later. The best way to avoid this is to verify who is behind the production to avoid fake casting calls.
Get in touch with the production company and ask for information about the project and the people producing it. Tell them you are verifying it is not a casting scam. If there is no production company, or if the website is made by a person, you should be extra careful before applying. If you are unsure about a production, Google the contact information for it. If there isn’t any information about it online, then the production is probably fake. You can also contact your state’s labor board to find out if the production company is legal.
Casting Without Auditioning
If you see a posting that says you don’t need to audition, it’s a likely a fake. Famous people who have been in a zillion movies have to audition and you will too. After you have read our audition tips, you will have a good idea how much prep and energy goes into a real casting call. Production companies will only cast you if they think you’re the right fit for the role, and they don’t have time to just randomly see people.
Instead, they might post a notice that they’re accepting submissions or resumes. Some production companies will allow you to send in a self-taped audition, but this is rare and usually only allowed if the actor is based out of a different country. If you see a posting that says you don’t need an audition, it’s probably a scam.
Asking You to Do Something Uncomfortable
If a production company asks you for money, it’s probably a scam. In the rare event that a production does require you to pay for something, it will be extremely clear about what you’re paying for and why. For example, if you need to pay to attend a casting call, the production will let you know clearly. If a company asks you for money and doesn’t explain why, it’s a scam. Another thing to watch out for is if a company is asking you to perform sexual favors or engage in inappropriate behavior. If a company asks you to do something that makes you uncomfortable, it’s a casting scam.
The Job Doesn’t Match Industry Standards
If you come across an ad that promises you millions of dollars just to read a few lines, it’s a scam. In general, the industry standard for actors is a rate of $15 – $50 per hour. If a company is asking you to work for free or for hundreds of dollars, it’s a scam. Production companies are legally required to pay you for your work. If a company is promising you a huge amount of money to work for them, it’s a scam.
Demanding Personal Info Before the Job is Explained
If a company wants to know your address, phone number, or other personal information before they explain what the job is, it’s a scam. If a company wants you to fill out a long questionnaire before you audition for them, it’s a scam. Production companies will only ask you for this information once you’ve been selected for the role and have been offered the job. They won’t demand this information before they even tell you what the job is. If a company is asking you for personal information before they’ve explained the job, it’s a scam.
Memberships or Subscriptions Before Audition
Like we mentioned above, production companies pay you for your work. The last thing they would want is to have you pay them before you’ve even auditioned for a role. If a company asks you to pay for a subscription or membership before you audition for a role, it’s a scam. Production companies work hard to make sure their ads are regulated so that actors know what they’re getting into before they audition. If a company asks you to pay for a membership before you audition, it’s a scam.
The Audition Ad Doesn’t Have Contact Info
If you see a casting call that has auditions for a certain project and the ad does not have a contact email, that is a major red flag. Most casting calls will have a contact email for you to direct any questions or concerns you have about the audition or the project. If the ad does not have a contact email, that is a sign that it is probably fake. You need to know where to go for an audition, especially if you live in Los Angeles, so it’s impossible to be a real audition and probably is a casting scam.
If you are still not sure if the casting call is legit and you really want to audition for it, you may want to email the person associated with the project but skip the audition. Explain to them why you want to be a part of their project and that you are curious about their ad. This can help you gather more information about the project and help you determine if it is legitimate.
The Casting Call is Promotes a Product or Service
If a casting call is specifically asking you to promote a product or service, that should be a huge red flag. Legitimate auditions will not ask you to promote anything, especially if it is a product that you are not being paid to promote. If you see a casting call that is asking you to promote a product or service, it’s probably fake. The only time a casting call may ask you to promote something is if you’re auditioning for a commercial or a similar type of promotion. However, even in those situations, you are being paid for your time.
Casting Call Scam Asks for Upfront Payment
If a casting call is asking you to pay for anything upfront, that is a red flag. There are a few legitimate casting calls where you will have to pay upfront such as if you’re applying to be on a reality show or a modelling gig. But auditions and other acting opportunities rarely require you to pay up front.
If you see a casting call that is asking you to pay upfront, it’s probably a scam. If you are interested in a specific project but you’re not sure if it’s legitimate, skip the upfront payment and contact the person in charge of the project. See if they are interested in you auditioning for their project. If they are, they will likely ask you to pay for your travel expenses or audition fee.
6 Types of Casting Call Scams to Watch out for
There are six particular casting scams to watch out for. All of them use some element of trickery to take your money and all of them waste your time. If any of your casting seems close to these scenarios, ask yourself if this is a casting scam.
The Upfront Payment Casting Scam
This is one of the most common casting scams, and it’s easy to see why. When people need money, they’re more likely to fall for this scam. This is one of the most common casting scams, and it’s easy to see why. When people need money, they’re more likely to fall for this scam. A scammer might offer you a chance at being in a film, commercial, or TV show, but they’ll ask you to pay upfront for materials, costumes, traveling expenses, or other phony expenses before the “job” is even scheduled.
You won’t see a penny back, and you’ll lose the money you spent. This is a common scam for online auditions where the scammer wants the “talent” to pay for extras like costumes, hair and makeup, or to purchase props.
If you’re trying to break into the acting world, you’ll need to take every audition you can get. But you should never pay for anything related to the audition because the casting agency demands it.
The Exclusive Contract Casting Scam
This is a common scam when auditions are looking for models, especially models on Instagram. A scammer will offer you an awesome deal to be a model or celebrity endorser for their fake company. You might even be invited to sign a contract, but it’s most likely a fake or boilerplate contract that doesn’t actually mean anything.
After you sign the contract, the company will ask you to pay money for “fees” or “insurance costs.” Again, you’ll never see that money or get the chance to be a model or celebrity endorser. This is a common scam when auditions are looking for models, especially models on Instagram.
The Paid Audition Casting Scam
This is a scam where a casting director asks you to pay to audition for a role. While there are legitimate paid auditions out there, they’re extremely rare. Most paid auditions are scams. If a company is asking you to pay to audition, it’s probably a scam. You should avoid these paid auditions at all costs.
This is a scam where a casting director asks you to pay to audition for a role. While there are legitimate paid auditions out there, they’re extremely rare
The Talent Show Audition Casting Scam
This is a scam where a casting director will ask you to audition for a talent show. They might even promise you that you’ll be featured on the show. But what they don’t tell you is that the show doesn’t exist. They’ll just take your money and disappear.
The Free Audition Casting Scam
This is a scam where a casting director will offer to feature you on their website. They’ll tell you that they’ll promote your work and that you don’t have to pay them anything. But later on, they’ll ask you to pay to “help cover the cost of hosting.” In the end, you don’t get anything out of this except a headache as it doesn’t help your acting career.
Finally: Always Check the Casting Company’s Background
Before you audition for a company, check their website to see if they’re legitimate. Are they a real company with a real address? Do they have a real phone number? Are they listed on a casting site like The Casting Network? Or LA Casting? Have you checked the BBB (Better business Bureau) or Reddit? Look for information to see what you can find out before you move forward.
When you have the name of a casting company, you can use Google to search for it. Type “[name of casting company] scams” into the Google search bar and see what comes up. Many casting companies will also have a “scam alert” section on their website.
If a company has a scam alert, that’s a pretty good indication that they’ve been targeted by scammers in the past. That’s not to say that every company with a scam alert is legitimate. It’s possible that a company has been targeted by scammers and that they’re trying to protect themselves by warning people.
In Conclusion
These are just a few tips to spot fake casting calls for auditions and the types of scams to watch for. Overall, the best way to spot a fake is to just be careful and trust your instinct. Before you apply to anything, make sure you do your research. If a company feels off, walk away. Nothing is harmed by saying no thank you. plus you save yourself hours of agony and disappointment when you don’t participate (even accidentally) in a casting call scam. Don’t risk your personal information or your time by applying to a fake. With these tips, we hope you’re better equipped to identify fakes and separate the auditions that are worth your time from those that are not.