We've been reporting of late a rash of scams and schemes that prey on unsuspecting aspiring performers and, if under age, their parents. Chicago is not alone. Not surprisingly California, Land of Make Believe, is riddled with these nogoodniks. With a big push from the Screen Actors Guild, California's governor signed an anti-scam bill which amends the California Advance Talent Act which will go into effect Jan. 1 2005. The new law closes the loopholes whereby slime balls found ways to still charge up-front fees for promises of stardom.

It is the young who are most vulnerable to these miscreants. It is up to us who have been in this business to help those just joining. Become a resource for "civilians" by letting them know at the first syllable of "You're an actor, tell me, my little boy is such a ..." that all is not what it may seem and they had better check out that nice lady who approached them at the mall promising fame and fortune.

And it is amazing how sometimes our IQ plummets and our credulity rises when someone offers us a chance at fame. No agent or casting director worth their salt would mind if you said you'd get back to them, giving you time to quickly but thoroughly check them out with the unions, the state, the labor board...

It's simple. You never pay to play. You never sign anything without thoroughly checking it out. No agent is a casting director and vice versa. Actors in Chicago do not have managers. No agent is going to insist that you use his/her photographer exclusively. If something seems fishy, it probably is. You are not going to get into trouble by asking questions and you are certainly not going to be blackballed (or whatever you've been threatened with) for uncovering a scam or demanding your rights. A quick review of PerformInk's "The Book" will set all straight. A quick check online will disclose that the, say, talent agency the charming gentleman who "just-happens-to-be-out-of –business-cards-but-here's-a-flyer-from-my-agency" says he represents is, in fact, a party planning company. The "I'm a manager in from the coast looking for fresh Chicago talent" line should be a dead give-away. It really may be all right to laugh directly in his face. It's your call, just as long as you hotfoot it outta there.

We get calls on an alarmingly frequent basis reporting the latest of these scammers. A mother was told that for a mere 50 bucks the so called agent/manager/talent rep could secure a SAG card for her child, or wait, no, make that 35 for AFTRA. It would be funny if it weren't so true and scary.

ON THE OTHER HAND—and I add this in case some who call themselves actors think they are immune from blame—actors must play by the rules as well. The rules are simple. You honor your obligations. You keep to the rules and not think you're too cool or clever or that's not how it's done elsewhere. You are professional and not a whining, high maintenance professional pain. If you think everyone in town hates you, buster, you may just be right. Mind you, these miserable souls are few but they give us all a bad name.

Compared to either coast, Chicago is a very livable town with great, real people on both sides of the desk/mike/camera/stage. It just takes—and I return to my gardening metaphor of a few months back—some careful pruning, strict and immediate weeding, and vigilant vermin patrol to keep everything and everyone flourishing.

An example of our care for one another is the We Love You Jim Jackson Fund set up in the memory of the wonderful actor who fought long and hard against cancer but died this past August. Jim was a terrific gentleman, as full of joy and kindness as he was talent, and much missed. The fund will help with the monumental medical bills with which his widow, Vanessa, must now struggle. Donations, of which 100 percent will go directly to Vanessa, may be made to the Betty Mitchell Fund c/o AFTRA/SAG, One East Erie, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60611.

And another sad note. Friends of brutally slain Chicago theatre personality Brad Winters have marked the anniversary of his death with sorrow and a call for anyone with information regarding the unsolved murder to come forward. Friends from the Terrapin Theatre and others ask anyone who might be able to help to call Belmont area detectives at 312/744-8261.

Jane Alderman Casting was once again at the helm when "ER" shot here recently. Booked on an upcoming episode were Darrin Lackey, Howie Johnson and Caroline Todd.

It has been a busy month at Tenner Paskal Rudnicke where they cast projects for Grant Thornton Accounting, Miller Beer, Ford Genuine Parts and Service, Jimmy Johns and Chevy. They also cast for the new Lindsey Lohan film Lady Luck. Bookings of late went to: Joanna Sylvestrak, Randy Steinmeyer, Patrick Zielinski, Julia Sobaski, Inda Craig Galvan, Larry Neuman, Jr., Mac Brandt, Maggie Carney, Patrick Thornton, Katie Sims, Ralph Prindle, Joe Minoso, Dan Flannery, Hans Holsen, Meleah Veit, Josephine Dejesus, Zach Ford, Mike Skewes, Vince Viverito, Monica Zaffarano, Basketa King and Ray Austin.

Claire Simon Casting has been busy with plays and films and commercials. They cast Little Women and Two Trains Running for Kansas City Rep (formerly Missouri Rep) and A Midsummer Night's Dream for Indiana Rep. Film scouting includes Bad News Bears for Paramount, My Life in Idlewild for HBO and Prime starring Sandra Bullock. Casting for commercials included spots for Carsons, May Company, St. John's Healthcare, Kentucky Lottery and McDonald's. Richard Henzel and Peter deFario were booked for Operation Push.

And what will we be doing in the months to come? At least in film? Currently shooting is the indie 5/27/77. Come November, we get three weeks of Derailed, the Clive Owen/Jennifer Aniston film for Miramax. There are indies about and some serious scouting for 2005 films. Congratulations to Pete Jones, whose Doubting Riley will be in the Chicago International Film Festival.

What else happens in November? The election! It's too late to register (the deadline was Oct. 5), but I'm assuming all PerformInk readers registered long ago. Just remember to VOTE on Nov. 2.

And wonderful Linda Jack agent Stacy Shafer has left the business to become associate development director for the Rush Neurological Behavior Center. She will be missed sorely. And yes, I think she's heard all the jokes about the similarities between the two jobs.

Peace.

Home

Reel World Archives