Expert: Peter Messaline - 8/20/2007

Question
my son is beautiful, many people tell me this always. i would like to know how you get 30 weeks for 1950 when they are offerinf 20 weeks now for that price on the introductory course.she explains no guarantees, and that they prepare your child for auditions,this and that.how do i know that i am getting a reputable schooling from them. how could i possibly know if they r as good as they make u feel they r./on there website , they explain that they dont take just anyone. there must be something for them to except you. they were very courteous, but 20 weeks for 1950 and no guarantee, now what. can you call me 212 4399566. im really lost. i want this for my son, but i want to make sure i am getting what i really am paying for, and can i get the same thing cheaper, but the same good quality that is being promissed by them. you seem 2 know whats going on and id really appreciate a call. i need so many answers yet i cant ask on int. because. i really need your output, b4 spending 1950. please help. im really lost. i want my son to have the best, but if i can have the same teaching and intros to auditions cheaper and 4 sure, i would really like 2 know. its a tough buss. but hes a great looking kid, and i was told he should take the introductory for 20 weeks and after 5 weeks he will be auditioning.its not about the money they tell you but, what isnt about, money. ok god. but i dont know what to do. give me a call any1. thank you

Answer
You are obviously upset, but thank goodness you have contacted Ask An Expert!
This is a scam.
No legitimate school or agent would be saying the sort of things this one is. They are after your money, and when it blows up in your face, your boy will blame himself for not being good enough.
I pray you haven't already paid this guy very much --
Do Not Pay Her $1950!!
Here is a letter from the California State Attorney to SAG members about scams:
http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/Content/Public/rockydelgadillo.htm
Here is the NYC number he suggests:
Department of Consumer Affairs,
Complaint Division, at (212) 487-4491
And here's the SAG Agency Department:
(212) 827-1438
Your son will not be helped by classes if he's young. Kids young enough to be called 'beautiful' aren't hired for their skills but for their looks and character.
I hope the SAG office will help you -- I expect they will tell you to send a snapshot of your boy to childrens agencies and see if they are taking people on. Legitimate agencies don't train actors and don't make predictions about auditions. Legitimate schools don't work as agents.
Having a child work as an actor is very expensive in the time you'll have to spend going with him to auditions as well as to work if he's really lucky. There will be many, many, many auditions that don't end up in work, so even if he is hired, the cost to you will be dozens of days of going to unfamiliar parts of the city before the one day of work.
If I were you, I'd let the boy grow up without the tension of our business. If you decide to go ahead, go to an agent listed on the SAG list.
Which is here:
http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/application?pageid=AgentInformation