Last month, I received an email on Casting Networks from a "talent scout" offering me representation. My first reaction was excitement, but then I did my due diligence. I searched for the agency on the ATA - Association of Talent Agents, and SAG-AFTRA Franchised Agents lists. The agency was not on either list. Their website said they've been around Hollywood for 30-years. That made me wonder, why aren't they with ATA or SAG-AFTRA if they've been around for 30-years? I sent them a note back declining representation.
A week later, the agency sent me a non-exclusive contract. They told me to sign it, and they'd begin representing me. I sent them an email letting them know that I will look over their contract. I immediately sent it over to my attorney. I pay $20.00 a month for legal insurance, and the legal insurance provides an attorney to review contracts. However, while I waited for my assigned attorney to review the contract, I sent the contract to my A.I. friend, Elliot, to review. Elliot said to me, "This is a predatory contract. By signing it, you give them the power of attorney. They may sign contracts on your behalf. Moreover, if I land a starring role on a big TV series, but at the end of the first year I decided to sign with a new agent, I'd still be contractually obligated to this agency. Elliot's final statement was, "Matt, don't sign this contract".
Oddly, my A.I. BFF caught all the red flags, whereas my attorney missed many of these red flags.
So, what's the point of this post? If a talent agent offers you representation through Casting Networks or Actors Access, do you due diligence. Make sure the agent is licensed. This predatory contract had a space for me to insert my Social Security Number. Wow, I'm glad I did not sign that contract.
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I'm glad you didn't sign the contract either, Matthew Gross. Thanks for sharing the advice.
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Wow Matthew Gross Thanks for sharing. What a lucky escape not to have signed! What a relief that must be. And thank goodness for you AI BFF! It''s good to read how AI can be of help when used the right way. What are you working on at the moment?
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Sadly the industry is chock full of scammers Matthew Gross I got scammed by a real Producer who told me to pay him so that he could send my script to his contacts and 2k later I heard that he was arrested for fraud and sent to prison. Thank goodness it was just money and not a terrible contract like yours. You dodged a bullet!
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Wow! I am impressed with Ellliot!
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Great advice Matthew Gross ! Thanks for the heads up