Besides paying, how do you know if an agency is a scam?

Question

My boyfriend's friend got into an agency for acting, Casablancas, and he doesn't have to pay for classes. I have heard that this agency was a scam....but if my bf's friend doesn't pay a cent.

?

Answer 1

Your boyfriend's friend is lying to you. There are no 'freebies' with Casablancas. I don't care what he tells you. Their whole business is about milking young hopefuls for money.

And yes, they are a scam.

Answer 2

Depends on what you think a scam is.  Casablanca'ss and other franchised acting schools/ agencies are farming up talent, they go out look for good looking people offer them classes, etc. at their school and try to get them to pay them money to help them become actors.  Sometimes, if they find someone who they think has a serious shot at doing something now, they will get them in the program now, for free, and try to get referral fees from jobs they book through larger agencies in the future.  

This isn't really a scam, you are getting what you paid for these places teach skills that some say aren't good for you as an actor and others would say help you in everyday life to be more expressive and confident.  I don't know, I never went to any of them, but they are option for people and you can definitely get into the "biz" through them, just like you can many other ways, if you are talented, willing to work and to keep onpluggingn away at it.  Your agency isn't going to get you work, only the opportunity to audition, you have to land the job.

Sean William Scott got started through one of those agencies, lots of Disney kids come out of these places, just depends.

I would say they're going to ask him for money eventually.

Any agency that wants to sign  you exclusively when you've never done anything professionally is suspect also any that wants you to pay them to be your agent any other time other than after you contract a job, then they would take their percentage, etc.

My advice, read what you sign and don't believe anyone who says you are the next this or that and they are going to  make you a star.  You're going to have to work for it.