Expert: Charles Taylor - 10/21/2006

Question
North Bay Talents. The fellow, Nick, claimed to have 26 current clients. They do not have a physical space they travel to locations, be they studios or apartments, around the bay area to do the auditions. as the fellow said, "they have dayjobs too." also, when i questioned working with the agency for strictly g/g, they said i could either bring another girl or just "talk about it".




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The text above is a follow-up to ...

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Hi Charles,
I have done a bit of adult & bondage photo/video work in the San Francisco area, but am always trying to find more opportunities without moving to LA.  I recently found an Adult Talent agency in the Bay Area, but I am not sure how to tell if they are legit. Basically, they wanted to film an interview/audition tape to shop to producers, which, if i am interested in b/g work, would involve performing with the casting director.  Is this a traditional audition/agency method? I am familiar with test shoots, but doing one with the casting director just...sounded off. Am I being thrown off by a normal practice or could I be looking at a scam? Also, i don't suppose you know of any legitimate agencies/producers in the SF Bay Area? Thank you so much.

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Sorry I forgot...what is the name of the agency?

Answer
Well this question is rather simple. If the casting director is also “regular” male talent then that would be one thing to do an audition with him. How to determine if he actually is male talent is to go to- http://www.iafd.com
if he’s not listed there he is probably trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Auditions are generally meant for amateur actresses who are themselves not listed on the Internet Adult Film Database. Therefore they are lacking credits and experience. It is naturally easy to fuck, but it’s a whole other thing to fuck in front of hot lights, camera, clothed audience and screw someone you just met 5 minutes ago.

However if an agent/manager, etc. is just that then absolutely no. NEVER!!! Since people who aren’t really in the biz themselves aren’t regularly tested for STD's/HIV. If you have any questions do a more through background on the company. If it’s a one man operation then there has to be many models that have gone through the gauntlet so ask him for several references. If atleast three models have gone thought the ordeal and have been successfully booked through their company then it would be up to you. But since you have taken some time to write me then you should actually meet the models face to face and then examine what has taken place for them to be where they are right now. Have the casting director show you previous examples of both raw and edited for distribution end product. If there have been over 100+ girls that previously done it who knows maybe it’s worth a shot? Usually word will get around of who not to deal and/or work with. It’s not that big of an industry. Hell if it’s just on a couch without anyone present (camera person) or at least shot with some high quality equipment (Digital 3CCD and/or HD Camera, Not one you can pick up at the local thrift shop) then it’s most likely a scam.

BTW,

Another fun way to find out as I was saying if he’s legit is through-

http://www.aim-med.org

Since 99.9% of the industry is tested by them if he doesn’t have a recent (30 days or less) test that should signal SCAM!!!!

Also don’t just rely on the copy that is given to you CALL AIM TO DO A VOICE CONFIRMATION!!!!