By Kelli Turner, Co-Founder — Turner Talent
The talent industry in the United States is so massive that it attracts aspiring actors and models from all over the world. However, working in the United States is not as simple as hopping on a plane with nothing but a suitcase to knock on Hollywood’s door. Finding jobs from abroad is challenging, particularly because you must be cautious to avoid scams and other illegitimate opportunities.
Keep safety in mind
Safety is the first thing that you must consider when taking jobs in other countries. There are lots of dangers to taking acting or modeling work in other countries, from falling victim to scams that could leave you without money in a strange place to more severe threats like kidnapping and human trafficking. Although there are plenty of legitimate jobs in the talent industry, you must be wary to ensure you do not fall victim to one of the illegitimate ones.
One important factor that can distinguish a legitimate job from a scam is having an actual, reputable person to work with. Although there is still a chance that you could be scammed, fraudsters are less likely to show their face — either virtually or in person.
If you only communicate with someone via text message, email, or phone call, there is reason to be suspicious. Strong recommendations and referrals can also help ensure that you do not fall victim to a scam.
Actors and models should also watch out for hype and charged advertising. There are plenty of people and programs that will attempt to make getting famous sound easy and quick, but the old adage still rings true: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Falling for a “glam scam” is particularly dangerous if coming from another country, as unexpected costs could leave you without the money you need to survive in a foreign country or even return home.
Be prepared to handle the expenses of working abroad
Indeed, when taking any job in another country or pursuing an opportunity abroad, it is important to know and understand the costs involved. Always bring more money than you need so you have a safety net to fall back on if things do not go according to plan.
In addition, understand that people will try to take advantage of you because you are new and don’t understand how the industry works in this country. Remember: agents should not charge you for anything or press you to use an in-house photographer — legitimate agents work off of a percentage of jobs booked.
Furthermore, actors and models must take care when it comes to their travel arrangements. At an early level, most jobs will not fly talent to the location of the shoot, so it is your responsibility to ensure that you can show up on time. Also, be prepared for any travel delays. Don’t get a flight that lands just an hour or two before call time, because if unexpected circumstances arise, you could end up being late or missing the job altogether.
Finally, it can be useful to form connections within the industry before ever leaving your home country. Using a liaison such as someone like us at Turner Talent with an established network can help you find reliable, trustworthy jobs as well as the guidance you need to succeed in a talent industry landscape that is likely very different from the one you are used to. A liaison can also serve as a great point of contact for any questions you may have that shouldn’t be asked of other people, like agents. Leaving your home country to pursue job opportunities in the United States can be an exciting leap for your career as an actor or model. However, you must be prepared for the challenges you will face, and be wary of any scams that hope to take advantage of your idealism. Although there are plenty of legitimate international jobs to be found, it is important to do your due diligence and ensure that the job you are taking is safe and trustworthy.
