Models and actors have long used Craigslist as a place to find work opportunities. While Craiglsist can be a fantastic resource, especially for models and actors in the early stages of their careers, the site is regrettably home to a large number of scams that specifically target performers.
When looking at ads on Craigslist seeking models, actors and other performers, it’s best to consider which of several categories they fall into. These include legitimate paying work, usefulreputable unpaid work, work that you may be interested in but isn’t actually about acting or modeling, scams and offers of sex related employment.
Telling the difference between these ads that target model and actors can be difficult, especially if you are new to the business or not used to the coded language that is often employed on Craigslist. As with the rest of life though, the first best test of whether an ad is for a legitimate acting or modeling job is if provides clearly phrased information and doesn’t make promises that sound too good to be true.
The most common advertisements in the acting and modeling category that are too good to be true stress an urgent demand for petite models or actors without experience. Even “regular people” models used in catalogues have strict height and size requirements that most people don’t meet. Other thanoccasional searches for regular people by photographers working on stock photography or art projects, posts that seek regular people for modeling are probably not going to be legitimate and will ultimately try to sell you on classes, books or some sort of submission service to get work.
In the world of acting and modeling the folks who get you work get paid when you get paid (the exception being a small one-time fee, usually $25, to register with most background talent agencies); don’t pay to play. If you do, you’ve fallen for one of the many scams that have long preyed on acotrs and models.
Actors should also watch out for advertisements that promise them that a role will get them into SAG. Becoming a SAG actor is difficult and it is unlikely that anything casting on Craigslist is going to do it for you. Some film opportunities advertised on Craigslist may be registered with SAG so that they can use both SAG and non-SAG actors, but these are usually extremely low budget products and student films. If you are an actor building your resume and learning about the business, there is no reason not to take jobs of this nature, but if someone is promising to get you into the film or stage actors union, you should be suspicious about their actual agenda.
Many professional artists use Craigslist to find actors models for their paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures. Some of this work is nude, some it not. Much of the nude modeling work is legitimate, but you should still always ask to see samples of the artist’s creative portfolio to make sure the project is one you wish to participate in. It is also appropriate to request references that the individual is safe to model for, and you should artists people who are offended by this request. Finally, be aware that many people on Craigslist pose as artists in hopes of getting lots of actors and models to email them nude pictures. These “picture collectors” are a scourge of Craigslist and are best avoided by only submitting clothed to Craigslist postings unless you are comfortable doing otherwise and the ad has already linked to samples of the artist’s work.
There are many acting and modeling opportunities on Craigslist that don’t involve pay. These acting and modeling jobs aren’t necessarily scams, but you should use discretion when choosing t participate. If you are building your acting resume or modeling portfolio, these can be great opportunities for you, just make sure that the quality of the work you will be involved with is such that you will want other people to see it — otherwise the time you’ll invest acting or modeling in the project isn’t worth it.
Finally, be aware that escort services, houses of domination and other sexual services of dubious legality often attempt to find employees in the sections of Craigslist that should be reserved for those seeking acting and modeling work. Beware of ads that promise you you can make lots of money but don’t say how. Flag these ads when you run across them in the modeling and acting sections. Regardless of what you think of sex work, these ads make it harder to find the legitimate work you and other actors and models are looking for, and the misleading ads don’t serve anyone’s interests. Craigslist has an excellent system that allows its users to police the contens of its boards and you should not hesitate to use it.
Good Luck!
