Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/IPAC event in LA July 8 -12th 2008

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Expert: - 4/4/2008


Question
Hi, My son is 19. He signed up for Talent Rock event and they sent letter cancelling and referring him to IPAC stating that IPAC was now honoring monies paid ($3500). We live in NJ and now are asked to go from Orlando to LA, have to change paid for flts etc. IS THIS IPAC a scam? I would love to get $ back from Talent Rock but they are not answering phones etc. I don't want to put more money out for attorney. Are you familiar with IPAC for acting and is it true that they do have scouts et there. What would you do?  He has not had classes but been told he has talent (like so many others I'm sure). I want to be supportive but unsure of my rights with Talent Rock and chance for money. I have to call IPAC by May 15th to confirm. They are not answering phone and have not responded to my e-mail sent a week ago.  Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

Answer
Hi Linda,

It doesn't sound good. I would IMMEDIATELY start contacting the attorney general's office for Florida and California as well as the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and any other consumer protection agencies to find out what you can and/or file complaints. I have never heard of these people, but I don't think it's reasonable to change coasts for a deal when it was set for a specific place. They should have made arrangements to fulfill the contracted event in the area. I guess you don't have to worry about people showing up if you do that.
I wouldn't have given anybody that kind of money to start, because that isn't how any established stars or models to my knowledge, have started. If just modeling, I would have spent that money on comp cards and a portfolio and then submitted them to the various known modeling agents. For acting, simple headshots (serious and commercial) and some classes would get you on the way to being ready to submit to an agency or a few.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/170/RipOff0170779.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/144/RipOff0144874.htm

http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Pearlman

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=7172&page=

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-pearlman2407mar24,0,1638411.story?co...

This was a five minute search on google. Helps to check ahead sometimes, before you open your wallet!
Instead of wild dreams of overnight stardom, I wish people would realize anything good doesn't come easily, and you have to work toward it.

I keep saying here, "Take the classes, get an agent, get to work."
I meant legitimate classes, and real agents. The ones in the yellow pages who are still there 5 years later.

I hope this helps!

Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Taylor Sheppard

Expertise

I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.

Experience

I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.

Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).

Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.

Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).

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