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ASK AARON - September 2004 Answer

Last Month's Column:

There is an agency that hasn't paid me for a job I did over two years ago. They sent me a check that bounced a few months back and now they're not returning my calls. I know they are doing this to other people, but no one wants to do anything about it. I've called about a hundred times - they just blow me off. They are a non union agency. Is there anything I can do to prevent them from doing this to others and also, possibly, make them pay me? Please let me know.

Next Month's Column:

I am about to have my first photo session. My agent tells me I should get commercial photos (since I am not tall enough for fashion). How do I do this?

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Tags: scams

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“Aaron Marcus’s How to Become a Successful Commercial Model is an outstanding guide through each step of beginning a modeling career. Even if you have already worked in the market, this 20 year veteran of modeling and acting provides ideas and techniques that could give any career a boost. If you are looking for a practical, realistic approach of how to get from here to there in the world of modeling, Mr. Marcus’s book is a worthy investment.”
Joseph Jones, Model • TN

From Kiki, TX

I have seen numerous ads in newspapers, and magazines in search of actors and models. They don't offer much information. Can you give me some clues on how to tell if they are legitimate?

Dear Kiki:

I would be very careful with any modeling or acting jobs you see in newspapers. Most companies hire talent through agents, or directly with the talent they have worked with in the past. If this is an ad for an agency, keep in mind that if any “agent” asks you for “up-front” money, or guarantees you work, I would be very concerned. You can try to see if there have been any complaints against the company by visiting http://www.bbb.org or http://www.ezbc.com. If you get a chance to read the agents chapter of my book, “How to Become a Successful Commercial Model:/the_book/, you will see a great list of questions that you must ask every prospective agent. The types of answers you get from the agents will tell you if they are legitimate or running a scam.

If you thought this was helpful, imagine how much you will learn from reading "How to Become a Successful Commercial Model." and by attending my Acting/Modeling Boot Camp.