Is your production team keeping cast and crew safe?
Let’s talk about a different kind of safety today: protecting yourself from scams and awareness on set in our industry.
Recently, I got an “opportunity” that looked legitimate at first—until I noticed the company name was spelled two different ways between emails. That’s a pretty big red flag! Unfortunately, scams like this aren’t rare, and they prey on creatives who are eager for their next gig.
Here are some things I’ve learned about spotting scams before they waste your time, or worse, your money.
Red Flags to Watch For:
Grammatical errors or inconsistent company names between emails.
Vague locations like “Florida” instead of “Orlando” or “Miami.”
For voice actors: anything about “using a local recording studio” is 100% a scam.
Upfront payment requests for things you don’t normally pay for (so not editing, mastering, travel, lodging, etc.).
Do Your Due Diligence:
Ask for their first + last name, company name, and website.
Google the email/casting text, often scams are repeated word for word.
Lean on your community or agents. They’re there to help vet opportunities.
Bonus: ask how they found you. Even if they’re legit, this gives you insight into what parts of your online presence is working for your benefit.
From the Production Side:
Safety also means taking responsibility on set. We’ve all heard stories of real props being mishandled or “blanks” that ended up being real. Production teams: please double-check everything and keep both talent and crew in mind when planning locations, times, and equipment.
Tips for production safety measures
Make talent (who may be unfamiliar with the area) aware of things to look out for around set or parking area.
If you can, have someone to walk them to and from set.
Bonus: This can make talent more comfortable, and even excited to work with you again in the future.
This extra precaution cuts down time of people getting lost.
Make sure signs are available and visible for everyone on set.
At the end of the day, a little healthy skepticism can save you from a lot of grief. Don’t rush to say yes just because something looks exciting. Pause, verify, and protect yourself and others.
Have you seen a sketchy casting or email lately? Hit comment and share—I’d love to compile a “Scam Hall of Fame” so we can all learn from each other’s experiences.
Looking out for you,
Tabs
