Scouting Entertainment Group (SEG) (www.segstudio.com and www.segstudios.com) aka Hollywood Castings.com (hollywoodcastings.com) aka Los Angeles Castings (losangelescastings.com)
Red Flag: Better Business Bureau: "Our complaint history for this company shows that the business has not responded to customer complaints brought to its attention by the Bureau." (March 15, 2006)
Background
This company advertised: "Los Angeles Castings Get your audition now In the LA area! www.losangelescastings.com."
Scouting Entertainment Group is not a licensed talent agency.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/dlselr/Talag.html
That means they cannot legally book modeling jobs. (See Labor Code 1700).
They don't claim to be a talent agency, however, they said they are "talent management":
- Scouting Entertainment Group is a full service talent management company representing a diverse roster of women, men, and children in the entertainment industry. Our company creates worldwide exposure opportunities for new talent trying to break in to the entertainment industry. SEG was founded on its ability to identify and cultivate up-and-coming talent and provide career opening opportunities in modeling and acting. Successful selection and placement of a wide-range of talent with top entertainment companies has made SEG one of the leading talent management companies in the world. Modernizing the industry, SEG brings a sharp eye for spotting winning talent together with years of experience in behind-the-scenes entertainment business practice to achieve breakthrough career results for the talent we represent.
California law does not allow a talent management company to charge any advance fees for promotion, photography, etc. (See Labor Code 1701).
It is still not clear if SEG charges advance fees. Please send information of your experience.
One person reported they received a referral after an interview with John Robert Powers.
Consumer Comments (2004)
I received a call that they wanted to meet me. I was there for about an hour. They talked to me about their company and tested me. Then they said they wanted to sign me, but wanted me to take pictures with their photographer. Their photographer charged almost $2,000!!!
I told them I had just taken my headshots, and they said that those headshots didn't work. They gave me the contract to read and said: "When you have the money, we'll sign you."
The "talent director" wouldn't stop calling me, he would tell me, "Ask someone to let you borrow money, get a loan."
I finally said, "No, I won't be able to get the money."
A few months later, Scouting Entertainment Group called me again, but it was a different talent director.
I told him my situation, how I've already been there, and he said, "Oh, things have changed; we'll work something out."
I believed him and went again. When I got there, he got me in his office, and told me about the pictures, and I told him I didn't have the money, so he gave me a whole bunch of paperwork where I can do extra work.
He said, "You'll get the money in a week and then come back."
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This company advertised on craigslist.org:
(May 8, 2004)
losangeles.craigslist.org > tv video radio jobs > NEED TO FILL ACTING
AND MODELING JOBS ASAP!
last modified: Sat, 8 May 16:22 PDT
NEED TO FILL ACTING AND MODELING JOBS ASAP!
Reply to: jobs@hollywoodcastings.com
Date: 2004-05-08, 12:59PM PDT
We have acting and modeling jobs that must be filled right away. Ages 5-60.
The pay varies with the job. We are looking for non-union actors and models.
Experience is not necessary. However, you must be responsible, keep appointments,
and have charisma.
Compensation: 350-5000 PER 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.
Reposting this message elsewhere is NOT OK.
this is in or around LOS ANGELES-ORANGE COUNTY
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Whois record
HOLLYWOODCASTINGS.COM
Registrant:
Scouting Entertainment Group
1680 North Vine Street #600
Hollywood, California 90028
United States
Registered through: GoDaddy.com (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: HOLLYWOODCASTINGS.COM
Created on: 17-Feb-04
Expires on: 17-Feb-05
Last Updated on: 06-May-04
Administrative Contact:
Estrin, Vladimir
Whois record
LOSANGELESCASTINGS.COM
Registrant:
Scouting Entertainment Group
1680 North Vine Street #600
Hollywood, California 90028
United States
Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: LOSANGELESCASTINGS.COM
Created on: 17-Feb-04
Expires on: 17-Feb-05
Last Updated on: 12-Apr-04
Administrative Contact:
Estrin, Vladimir
Don't be a victim!