I was looking for extra work and applied on craigslist.
I received a call from 212-244-4487.
They said there was no fee I didn't have to put money down for anything.
I knew something was off when:
1. They were late - the workers were in the hallway waiting for "Brad" to open up shop.
2. The sign on the door looked as though it was slapped on.
3. When "Brad" gave me his business care there was no last name & he didn't have a 212 # on it only 516-679-6109.
4. I was sitting in his office in was looked like a stool from a bar. The red curtains were shabbily put up.
5. Both the girl in his office and Brad looked high. Ashey white skin like they were up all night.
6. He said he couldn't send me on any auditions until I got headshots. He said they were having a special.
7. I got up to leave and they told me to go another way not thru the reception area - maybe they were afraid that I would tell the only guy in the waiting room (a small hallway) to run forest run!!
8. The back of the office that I was walking thru was so dirty and unkept!
9. Overall -- they were just trying to sell head shots.
11. "Brad" if that really is his name showed me pics of him with people on shoots or commercials -- as far as I knew those could have been pics of him working on the crew or in a union. He was way in the backround - the photo could've been fixed - or he could've been an "extra" himself.
12. I decided to stick with my office job. I wish I read this site before I went. Glad I didn't pay any money.
13. oh yeah "Brad" couldn't look me in the eye. He was dressed in a cowboy shirt. The girl to his right looked depressed.
Yes! This is a very accurate portrait of their office!
I responded to a Zip Car ad they posted on Craigslist. The difference with my experience with "Brad" was that I already have headshots and acting resume and also showed him my website so they couldn't push anything on me.
I generally go through my managers and casting agencies to get on-camera work and rarely go through Craigslist anymore, but things have been a little slow for me so I thought I'd check out Craigslist.
The place indeed looks sketchy, but at the same time there are legitimate small-time offices that run out of cramped spaces like that. Since I was already there I figured I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and stayed.
After "Brad" looked over my resume and website I asked him what kind of projects they are currently working on. A legitimate casting house should be able to rattle off names and I at least expected him to mention Zip Car as that was the ad I responded to on Craigslist. All this guy could say was "Uh... lots of things. TV, movies, commercials..." and THAT's when I knew this place was bogus.
The whole "making you leave the other way" was just plain weird. Did you notice the "reception window" was hollow from the inside? As in, it was like a stage prop where it's a fake wall that's propped up and only painted on the outside facing the entrance?
I don't know how a place like this stays in business.
OMG this is the same experience I had. What a sleeze ball. i wanted to google him before I went any further. i wish i would have did it before I waisted my lunch break. someone is really going to hurt him.
Hey I just got a call today from 212 244 4431. Same address as everyone else except suite 216. Sounded very scammy and vague so I looked them up and found this, thank god! TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.
MetroPCS New Yorks Newest Cell Phone Service Provider,
is looking for outgoing,
fun people. New Models, Actors ( No Experience Required )
Female and Male 18 thru 45. All Ethnicity's, All Sizes.
Must know how to have fun.
Please include your name and number.
Free Food and Beverage.
Pay is $250.00 for the day.
Location: Penn Station
Compensation: Pay is $250.00 for the day.
This is a part-time job.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests
I replied to this listing on craigslist since it had the name of a real company in it. I received a call probably a week or so later from 212-244-4487. They asked me if I would be able to make it the next day to their office. I asked when and they said "anytime between 10am and 8pm", which of course did not make sense since this was supposed to be for an all day thing. So I insisted they give me a time to come when is best for them and the caller kind of just seemed to pick a random time, "uhm how is 4pm". Sure...so they give me the address 224 West 35th St 2nd Floor, Suite 216. I of course promptly looked up this on the internet and after a bit of research came to this website and several other places telling me that that location and phone number was a scam. Of course I will not be showing up to the "print campaign" and I suggest others avoid the situation as well. They did not even give me a name at all and when I asked what the job entailed and what I should do ect, they told me "just come and talk to the receptionist and they will tell you what to do". Not even a particurally well thought out scam it seems. Trust the responces here and don't show up if you are called to go to that location.