Seeking parents of child actors in the Boston area

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Permalink Reply by Chemi on March 18, 2010 at 12:26pm

I know a lot of people who have been ripped off! They've paid $1,000's to get their kids stardom and nothing comes of it. A couple I warned but they didn't listen. They found it strange that when they signed their kids with Boston Casting for FREE, the kids got work! Big difference between legitimate and scams.

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Permalink Reply by Patty Hill on March 19, 2010 at 8:39am

Thanks Paula,
Thanks to all the people like you that warn others, we have been educated to "run" from these scams. Thank you. I personally dont know of anyone that has been scammed (thankfully!!)
Patty

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Permalink Reply by Skyjam videos - David Smith on March 19, 2010 at 1:10pm

Some parents don't see themselves as getting scammed

That's the sad part of it and I'm trying not to belittle parenting or parents, as I am a parent myself with a son

I just spoke to a woman who paid $2500 to have her daughter meet some second rate talent agents, walk a run way and get pictures taken. Not much became of this except, and this is what I mean, the parent said they had a great time and it made their child happy

I think there are parents that view this as a parent/child experience and to have fun together. They don't even think it is a scam

So my intent with these statements is not to agree with the motives of these companies but when you talk to some parents they actually feel that it was worth the money and time

I realize that sounds misaligned but I have spoken to parents who feel this way

I am particularly speaking of the group that was placing AD's on the radio in Boston. This was the outfit that set themsleves up in a Disney Ballroom - Event Room, had the parent/parents and child fly to Orlando to attend a 3 day talent show/agent meeting/pagent show

This company is now under investigation by several Attorney Generals in various States

And think about it, 300 children at $3000 comes to about $900,000 dollars. Incredible. And even with expenses and overhead on the operaters end; the event room, radio ads, flying in 2nd rate talent agencies, food and prizes, the amount of profit is still over $500,000.

And again, they protect themsleves by actually using a "few" kids that attend and have them be "representatives" of what they have done in the past and we can do it for your kid too. This means, when they advertise on TV or radio they can legally state, "We have placed children in National Ads, Major Motion pictures and Magazines". They do place a "few" children, that is their ammunition to fall back on and many times that type of media language and use can hold up in a court of law.

What some parents new to the business don't realize is, $3000 can buy headshots, local acting workshop classes, voice classes, dance classes, costume construction workshops, local kids theater, summer acting camp and all kinds of valuable learning experiences that would be much more beneficial for a child

And look at the bait.............Disney World.................all kids want to go to Disney World

I don't like it one bit, not one bit but there are parents that have a different perspective on the whole experience and those companies know this. They know they can bring in the cash and do it all over again near SeaWorld in California or some other attractive destination where kids would love to go to

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Permalink Reply by Paula Dorn on March 19, 2010 at 1:36pm

Hi David,
Thanks for writing out all of your thoughts. I agree 100% - and one component that makes this a perfect way to possibly take advantage of people is that sometimes people never even know they were misled.

This isn't the type of thing that has an immediate impact, it's more like ripples in a body of water. I talk to people at various stages of the "school/convention" process - and at first they are usually pretty happy with it, it was flashy, it was fun, and they are still hopeful that something will come of it. As time goes on and they see and hear more, and have a better understanding or have seen an unbiased news report, they are less happy....then more time passes and they are even more unhappy.. and so on. Of course the subtle (or not so subtle message) is that if you love your child enough you will support them, and also that if they aren't successful they just didn't have what it takes. The "school/convention" really has no responsibility at all - because they can point to other things. That is actually one of the biggest problems, this is not an industry where someone can buy their way in, and NO ONE can create a guaranteed success or even a decent opportunity. It just doesn't work that way - and if it did, everyone would do it.

I often encourage families who are already committed to go and have a good time (why not?), to keep their eye on safety, and to not spend any more money!! I don't take it to heart when someone doesn't agree with me, I am most concerned that people have facts and education so that they make the best decision they can for their family. Parents are generally new to this when they are first approached, and the companies have perfected their marketing and sales over years. The outcome isn't that big of a surprise.

I want to go to Disney World, too :-) (by the way, all that money and the flights, hotel and tickets to Disney World are extra) - AND.. Disney has absoutely nothing to do with any of it. They don't even own the hotel, it's just on their property.

Sadly, there are some families who have very negative experiences that start with these types of events. My organization helps those families all the time. Losing a little money isn't even the half of it.

Paula

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Permalink Reply by Skyjam videos - David Smith on March 19, 2010 at 1:44pm

Hi Paula

I applaud your organization.

I think you stated it perfectly when you said, "This isn't the type of thing that has an immediate impact, it's more like ripples in a body of water........................."

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Permalink Reply by Kayla Rose Glynn on March 19, 2010 at 10:18pm

My daughter was accepted to a local agency in Boston BUT we needed to have $850.00 for the pictures up front and they picked the photograher. NO optionsw/them..So we did not sign. I feel they are a BIG scam Lots of parents did. I won't list the name but its one of the 3 in Boston..Stick with Boston Casting and the free ones ..Thats where we get the work. Anyone who charges you a fee upfront forget them..Dont waste your childs time..

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