Are you a really great actor, dancer, singer or model but you’re having a hard time landing jobs? Sometimes talent isn’t enough to seal the deal. If you’re consistently late for your appointments, or come across as being rude or arrogant, no matter how talented you are, you may be passed over time and time again. Succeeding in the entertainment industry often hinges on the ability to win people over. You have to sell yourself as a performer who is not only talented, but who’s responsible, professional and courteous to others. Want to get cast? Then dedicate as much energy to winning over the casting director that you dedicate to your craft. So, how do you go about winning over the casting director? Here are a few easy tips that are guaranteed to help you make a positive, lasting impression on the casting director, and help you standout as a talent they’ll want to work with and endorse: Submit professional photos that both look like you and reflect your personality. Bring extra copies of your headshot and resume to your audition in the event yours have been misplaced. Consistently show up for your auditions on time. Be polite and professional to everyone in the casting office. Dress professionally. Demonstrate that you’re well prepared for your audition. Be receptive to the casting director and take direction as it’s given. Thank the casting director for his or her time before you leave your audition. And as a little something extra, send a thank you note to the casting director letting them know how much you appreciate them for the opportunity. You can even have note cards or postcards created with your photo on them. The goal is to standout from all of the other actors, singers, dancers and models that the casting directors will meet with. Even if you don’t get the job, I guarantee that you will leave a lasting, positive impression and the casting director will remember you when other opportunities arise. Ready to begin using these tips to ace your next audition? Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today and check out the thousands of auditions we have posted on our website.

Recently we discovered a scammer who claimed to be from an agency called the 29th Ave W Group. He said that he was recruiting models for an upcoming modeling competition. When we used Google to research the modeling competition and the agency, there were no websites to confirm the legitimacy of the agency or the competition. When we called the phone number he provided, it was an answering service that doubled as a fax, and made no mention of the agency or the competition. Lastly, while the scammer claimed to be from Washington D.C., we later learned that he was actually in Nigeria based on his IP address. While we often use the Internet or other sources to investigate possible scams, sometimes we’re simply able to detect a scam based on our instincts. Perhaps the wording in the email seems suspicious. Or maybe the tone causes us to question the validity of the offer. But for many of us, our instincts can be our best defense in protecting us from both online and offline scams. That being said, it’s very important that we trust them. Last year, the Better Business Bureau received 46 complaints from aspiring models and their parents who had been targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre. While many of the victims later said that their instincts told them not to sign with the agency, they still allowed themselves to be pressured into the scam. Some of the allegations against the agency included: Charging models more than $2000 for headshots they never receivedHigh-pressure sales tacticsAsking models to sign contracts and not providing them with copies of what they had signedThough the agency promised them work, the models didn’t receive any calls, auditions or jobs after investing thousands of dollars in the scam. If you come across an email, newspaper ad, or even a talent scout in the mall and you get a “funny feeling” that something’s not right – don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Had many of the aspiring models targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre relied on their instincts, they would have saved themselves a lot of money and a lot of heartache. For more information about the latest scams and how to avoid them, log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today and check out our Scam Watch.

When we’re investigating recent scam activity, we often find that new scams are really just revised emails that are being circulated by the same scammers over and over, simply using a different name. Many parents are discovering that this same tactic is used by agencies offline as well. More and more parents are learning that companies who have been investigated for fraudulent activity are now changing the names of their companies to avoid detection. This tactic now requires parents who are researching reputable opportunities for their child actors, models, dancers and singers to dig even deeper to make sure that the agencies and industry professionals that they work with truly have their children’s best interest at heart. StudioKidz was an agency in California that recruited children for acting jobs, often in stores such as Wal-Mart and Target.� The agency was accused of charging exorbitant fees for classes and training. Later it was discovered that the agency didn’t have a license and therefore was never able to legally book acting jobs for any of their clients. When parents began to report the agency to consumer action agencies, the owners decided to change their name to TVKidz so that parents who looked them up online wouldn’t come across the large number of complaints that had been filed against them. However, it wasn’t long before parents begin to discover that TVKidz was the same agency as StudioKidz, which prompted the owner to change the name of the company again to CommercialKidz. Additionally, she even changed her own name. A watchdog group who has been following the agency’s activities has now found information that suggests the owner may even have a previous criminal record. So you see, you can never be too careful when it comes to researching agencies or industry professionals who have expressed an interest in you or your children. It’s unfortunate that there are so many individuals out there that lay in wait to take advantage of those new to the industry. However it’s important that instead of being discouraged, that we simply do our homework each and every time and stay focused on our goals. Be sure to log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com each day to review our Scam Alert. We will continue to keep you posted on the latest scam information affecting the entertainment industry, as well as strategies you can use to make sure you don’t become a victim. How to Get Cast in the Role of a Lifetime

Several celebrities came together Saturday to mourn HEATH LEDGER on the Sony lot in Los Angeles, reports People. Among those in attendance: TOM CRUISE and KATIE HOLMES, ELLEN DeGENERES and Ledger's 'Casanova' co-star SIENNA MILLER. as well, with family and View the full article

While landing a gig in the entertainment industry is one of the most fun and exciting opportunities one can have, it’s still important to treat it like any other job. Whether you’re an actor, dancer, singer or model, there are still valuable business strategies that must be applied to your chosen profession. One of those strategies is networking. I’ve met so many people in the industry over the course of my career. Establishing valuable relationships with other professionals in my industry has greatly contributed to my own professional success. If you’re determined to have a successful career in the entertainment industry, it’s important that you really get out there and network with others who can help you get your foot in the door.Networking is defined several ways. One definition is the exchange of information and services between different individuals or businesses. Another is connecting with people with similar interests to uncover opportunities. Both of these are great definitions, and both describe actions you should be engaged in regularly in order to further your career.If you’ve never networked before, it’s easy to do. If you’re an aspiring model, dancer, actor or singer, here are some great networking tips that will serve you well in your career:-Meet and keep in touch with as many people in the industry as possible-Find as many organizations and events as you can that are related to your chosen career. Be sure to attend them regularly.-When you meet others in the industry, ask lots of questions. You never know what you’ll learn.-Be able to communicate what types of opportunities you’re looking for so that others will know how to help you.-Learn the art of following up. If someone gives you a business card, contact them the next day. -Never wait days or weeks, giving them the opportunity to forget who you are.-Share information you’ve learned with others. When you help others, they are likely to help you when they know of opportunities that would benefit you.If you’re not sure how to meet people in the industry or find information on opportunities and events that would be great for networking, visit our site for more information. Star Search Casting is a great resource for uncovering helpful information and maintaining a dialog with others in the industry with similar career goals and interests. And don’t forget to visit the message boards. You never know who you could meet!

This scammer says she is located in the United Kingdom but she is actually located in Caracas Venezuela using these IP addresses: 200.71.188.210 and 200.71.188.209.This is the same scammer that uses the name Morgan Jones for the Morgan Jones Talent & Christian-julliano Clothing Scam scam we discuss here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/in...howtopic=119453This is also the same scammer that uses the name Pedro Soto in the Pedro Soto Agency & Diego Verona Fashion Photo Shoot Scam we discuss here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/in...howtopic=119449"Hello,We are looking for amature/semi professional models,who want the ultimate EXPOSURE! to work for a Beauty & Fashion Company.Below are the positions available for application.Full-time Positions1.We require Bikini Models/Models for six months contract 2.Require Experienced Bikini Models/Models as senior promotional staff of the commerical department3.We require makeup Artist for three months contract Part-time positions1. Require Bikini Models/Models for our january 2008 video advertisement shoot2. We require makeup Artist for our january 2008 video advertisement shoot3. Require makeup artist for our january 2008 video advertisement shootFor more information about application please contact me via Email:sarah_advertising_firm@yahoo.co.uk and indicate you area of interest. Regards,Mrs Sarah Natalia. "

A show on the STYLE NETWORK taping in the Dallas area is looking for "Exotic Dancer Mom's" who want to get their hair done. This opportunity DOES NOT require any dancing or nudity. All that is required is to want a haircut! This opportunity is specifically for women who are exotic dancers who also happen to be mothers. You are welcome to bring your child with you. This is a fun show about hair stylists this IS NOT a tabloid show nor will this segment be done in poor taste. Show will ...

If you're an aspiring model, you probably spend a great deal of time pouring over the pages of glossy magazines, admiring the models that grace the pages. You probably study their poses and their expr...