Modelling and Acting

People wishing to pursue careers in modelling or acting have to be very careful about who they do business with. There are usually no registration requirements so anybody can set up a modelling agency or market themselves as an actor’s agent.

Modelling and acting have a very glamorous image. Sometimes the experience does not live up to its image. Unfortunately there are many operators who will rip you off and several things can go wrong before you start work.

People seeking modelling or acting work have contacted JobWatch with a range of complaints including:

• demands that models or actors pay for expensive and unnecessary portfolios of photographs before work is provided;
• sexual harassment or assault;
• demands that models or actors pay high registration fees;
• photographs being featured on the internet without their consent or payment;
• agents falsely claiming to have modelling or acting work on their books (it is very easy to get conned by false promises); or
• being pressured into enrolling in a modelling or acting course with high course fees. In some circumstances you might be able to get fees refunded.

Things you should do

(more detail in the attached fact sheet)

1. Be realistic
2. Use a reputable agency or agent
3. Be careful on social media
4. Beware of the claims made by agents
5. Signing a contract
6. Check how much you will be paid for the work you do
7. Check carefully if the agency charges any periodic fees
8. Get a business address, telephone number and the full name of the person you are dealing with
9. Keep copies of all written information
10. Consider joining the relevant union

Things you shouldn’t do

(more detail in the attached fact sheet)

1. Don’t be fooled by flattery
2. Don’t consume alcohol, other drinks or drugs offered to you at an interview
3. Don’t pay an excessive joining fee
4. Don’t give personal details
5. Don’t go to a first interview alone
6. Beware of travelling to out of the way locations
7. Don’t enrol in expensive and unnecessary training courses

For further support

More detail can be found in the fact sheet which you should download.

Call our Telephone Information Service on Melbourne Metro (03) 9662 1933 or Regional Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania on 1800 331 617.