Empire Talent & Modeling

BBB file opened: March 07, 2007 Business started: 02/01/2005 in AZ Business incorporated: 04/07/2006 in AZ

Licensing

This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

These agencies may include:

Arizona State Labor Department
800 W. Washington Street, Phoenix AZ 85007
http://www.ica.state.az.us
Phone Number: 602.542.4515

Type of Entity

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Business Management

Ms. Marisa Sclafani, Manager

Contact Information

Business Category

Modeling & Talent Agencies

Alternate Business Names

Empire Talent-Modeling Agency, LLC

Industry Tips

Talent Industry

 

For those interested in an entertainment career, the choice of talent agency is extremely important. Incompetent or fraudulent agencies or companies that give the impression they are an agency and are not, can cost you hundreds of dollars without any prospects of obtaining professional work. 

The BBB advises prospective clients to consider the following:

According to the Screen Actors Guild's website (www.sag.org): "Legitimate talent agencies do not charge a fee payable in advance for registering you, for resumes, for public relations services, for screen tests, for photographs, for acting lessons, or for many other services used to separate you from your money. If you are signed as a client by a legitimate talent agency, you will pay nothing until you work and then 10 percent of your earnings as a performer, but nothing in advance."
The Screen Actors Guild also states that: "Legitimate talent agencies normally do not advertise for clients in newspaper classified columns nor do they solicit by mail." The BBB further warns that you should be wary of meeting and making agreements with agencies in places such as hotels, resorts, apartments, or any other place other than a regular office. You can contact the Arizona Screen Actors Guild office at (480) 264-7696.
 
The US Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) advises that you should "steer clear of (modeling, talent agencies, talent referral companies) that require you to use a specific photographer." Remember to think critically and ignore flattery. The FTC further advises you to "ask yourself, 'why me?' Don't let your emotions -and the company's flattery- take control. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics. Never sign a document without reading and understanding it first.”  Avoid companies that charge upfront fees.  Be extremely wary of a company making promises or guarantees; the entertainment industry is too unpredictable for guarantees.

You should ask for references and confirmation for all the agency's claims from a trusted source, not just the company's website. Request addresses and phone numbers of current clients and contact them to see if the agency is providing adequate service. Also be sure to get all the agency's claims in writing.

Contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona at (602)542-4515 to see if a talent agency is licensed. Also check with the BBB to see if there is a Reliability Report for the company and remember that the number of complaints a company has should not affect your decision. Many consumers report to the Screen Actors Guild that they do not file a complaint because they think they were not good enough, or pretty enough, or right for the job, even after they have spent hundreds of dollars with a company and received no employment. 

Industry Tips

Modeling Talent Industry