Perspectives: Blair Hickey on Acting Scams

In the final entry of this Perspectives series on acting scams, I am excited to share Blair Hickey's insight into the issue.  During the preparation of last week's Actors Access seminar, I was given Blair's information for his help and insight for a local York newspaper article on Scams.  Blair was so helpful and passionate about helping to inform people about the value of avoiding shady acting scams.  We spoke for some time over the phone about starting out in the PA area, how the business is changing, and what people need to look out for when navigating the acting business.  He was also kind enough to share his expertise and insight on this important subject.  Here are his responses to my questions.  I have included Blair's bio below as well.  Enjoy!

Blair Hickey - Actor; Co-Founder, CastingAbout

Blair has been a working actor for the last fifteen years. He graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts from Brown University, starting his professional career in New York with recurring roles on daytime soaps and in several "way-off" Broadway productions. Since moving to Los Angeles, Blair's worked primarily in television, appearing in such shows as TOUCH, HARRY'S LAW, HEROES, MEDIUM, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, GHOST WHISPERER, WITHOUT A TRACE, ALLY MCBEAL, THE PRACTICE and CHICAGO HOPE. In 2004, Blair utilized his experience in actor marking to co-create CastingAbout, an online casting guide that provides actors with accurate, real-time production information on a daily basis. CastingAbout has since partnered with Breakdown Services, Ltd., and opened a second office in New York.

1. You always hear about actors being told to "spend your money wisely." What are some wise ways that actors can spend their money as they are starting out?

The thing I hear most often from experienced, working actors is this: the longer you are in the business, the more respect you gain for the actual craft and art of acting. It really is an art, one you can study your whole life and never master. (Even Meryl Streep has said this….) Far too many people confuse acting with "being famous," and fail to realize that those actors who work consistently and build long term careers are far more interested in expanding their body of work, pushing their limits and growing as a storyteller than in the perks of being a celebrity. Invest in the art. Study. Take classes and seminars. Find teachers, coaches and mentors that speak to you, and realize that this is a long term investment, not a quick fix to "get discovered." Many successful actors, even those working every week on their own TV shows, still study with a coach or mentor.

One caveat: Acting -- like others arts -- is subjective and different people approach, think and talk about it differently. Take the time to find classes and coaches that approach acting in a way that makes sense and "feels" right to you. Find an environment that makes you feel safe, that inspires you and pushes you. You should feel good about the (sometimes significant) money you are investing here, and if you are not learning, or feel uncomfortable, or being treated with disrespect, it's time to look elsewhere.

Also, realize that acting is also a business, and you, the actor, are the product being sold -- and that the marketing and promotion of that product matters. Headshots, resumes, and (eventually) demo clips all represent an actors "brand" -- and considerable thought should go into what that brand is before money is spent. Too many actors pay a lot of money to passively smile their way through a photo shoot, doing whatever the photographer recommends. Instead, spend the time in class and with coaches learning what stories you tell best -- what your "type" may be. Know who you are, and how casting directors are most likely to use you, then meet with a lot of photographers until you find one that understands that "story" and knows how to best bring that out during the shoot.

2. What is the best way to check to see if an organization is a scam?

Start with a simple Google search. One of the good things about the Internet is that disreputable people and businesses are exposed pretty quickly. Find out what people are saying, look for reviews, and check out message boards. (Backstage.com has a busy one)

Also, remember that -- especially in this business -- if it sounds too good to be true, it is. There is no single "secret" to making it, and no one can promise you success. As a rule, the more an organization promises you great things if you pay them money, the less professional they are.

Important: when dealing with talent representatives -- agents and managers -- remember that they are paid on commission: 10% for agents, usually 10-15% for managers. They NEVER take any money upfront, and if a "representative" asks for it, it's a sure sign they don't know what they're doing. (Or they are trying to scam you.)

Finally, learn how the professional casting process works: Producers hire casting directors on a project. Casting directors then let agents and managers know what parts they need to cast. Those agents and managers then submit their clients for consideration. (This, by the way, most often happens electronically though websites like Breakdown Services, which means it happens fast. In LA, it's not uncommon for a CD to receive 1500 to 2000 submissions over the course of a few hours for a one line part on a TV show.) Sometimes CDs will advertise directly to actors through Actors Access, or Backstage or something similar - but the process is the same. Submissions come in, CDs go through as many of them as they can, then select a small percentage that get to come in to audition. Then, an even smaller percentage will get to come back to read for the director and/or producer, who makes the final decision.

Any person or organization who promises an actor a way "around" this process, or advertises a direct line to "real Hollywood castings," or suggests that paying them will somehow give you direct access to roles or producers…is simply not telling the truth.

3. I've read on the SAG-AFTRA SCAMS page that online casting organizations are something to watch out for.  What is the straight truth about online casting organizations?

Depends on what you mean here. There are plenty of (scam) websites out there that do promise to provide access to -- as I said above -- real Hollywood castings. (Which is not actually a term anyone here uses.) What they are doing is gaining (illegal) access to the Breakdowns that CDs send to agents, then offering them for a fee to actors. But they don't do any good. Think about it -- if you're a CD receiving hundreds of submissions from reputable agents, delivered directly to your computer within an hour or two… then a few days later you receive a headshot in the mail from an (unrepresented) actor for the same part (which you have probably already cast)… are you really going to take that actor seriously?

Now, there are some sites like Actors Access, or Backstage or probably others on which a CD can post an audition notice with the intent of receiving submissions directly from actors. But these are often for the smaller and most often non-paying jobs. Here's why: since a CD's job is really to impress a producer or director with the people they bring to callbacks, they have to (for job survival) bring in the best actors they can get. Often that means the ones with the most experience, which often means the ones with agents. Bottom line: a CD will go though a talent agent as long as they can afford to (in other words, as long as they have the budget to pay for actors at that level.) If they can't pay, then agents and busy working actors aren't going to be interested, so the CD as to look elsewhere, and releases the project directly to actors. It doesn't make sense that a CD would openly advertise a major role in a major production for anyone to submit on. (Again, this is the too good to be true rule.) If some website promises that you can submit yourself for the co-lead in the next George Clooney movie…. run away.