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

While television and film roles are exciting, commercials are great opportunities for actors as well. In fact, commercials can be extremely lucrative, especially if you’ve booked a major, highly recognizable brand such as McDonalds, Apple or Target. Once you book a commercial, there are a number of fees that you must be paid. A session fee is the amount of money that you’re paid for the day or time that you work on the commercial. This amount is regulated by the unions (SAG, AFTRA, etc.) and varies based on your role in the commercial. You’ll also receive residual payments – this term is thrown around in the industry a lot. Every thirteen weeks that the commercial runs, you will receive a holding fee (or residual payment) equivalent to the session fee that you were originally paid. The idea of the holding fee originated when executives decided that they didn’t want actors in their commercials also appearing in competitors’ commercials. So by “holding” the actor with the holding fee, the actor in a Pizza Hut commercials could not simultaneously appear in a commercial for Dominos or Papa Johns. Additionally, residual payments are also made based on how often the commercial runs during those thirteen-week periods. This is referred to as a use fee. The use fee is determined based on how often the commercial airs, the markets (or cities) that it runs in and on which networks it appears. If your commercial is apart of a large campaign and runs often on network and cable stations nationwide during peak hours, like primetime, this can mean a huge payoff for you. For one or two days of work, you could eventually make several thousand dollars. Voiceovers for commercials for major brands alone can be a six-figure career. Often major brands choose one person to serve as the voice for all of their commercials.  This is a major opportunity and the audition process can be lengthy. After your first audition, you may be required to tape demo commercials (which you’ll be paid for) just so the decision makers can be certain that your voice is the right fit to advertise their brand. Want to make your big break in commercials? Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.comcasting opportunities. today to search for television and commercial casting opportunities.

If you’re the parent of a child or teen actor who has begun working on projects in the industry without the guidance of a talent agent or manager, it’s critical that you familiarize yourself with the child labor laws and regulations in your state. Not only is it important because it’s the law, but these regulations are put in place for the benefit of the child or teen and are great guidelines to follow. States can regulate many aspects of a production when it comes to kids and teens working in the entertainment industry. Before your child walks on set, make sure you find out the answers to the following questions: What’s the maximum number of hours my child can work on set? Are the hours different for school and non-school days? How much light can/will my infant be exposed to? Is my child required to have a work permit? Is a studio teacher required to be on set? How much time does my child get for rest and recreation? Are there any exceptions? There are always gray areas, loopholes and exceptions. For example, many regulations are determined based on the age of the actor. However while a seventeen year old student in California may only be allowed to work between certain hours, a seventeen year old who has graduated from high school is not subject to child labor laws and can work as an adult. Whether your child has a manager or not, you are your child’s primary advocate. A production set can be a harried, hectic environment and if a director is running behind schedule he may not want your child to get their mandated break time. It’s up to you to put your foot down to make sure that your child has a healthy, balanced and enjoyable experience in the industry. For more information about the ins and outs of the entertainment industry, stay tuned to Elite Casting Network. Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today!