Beware of a man named John and Cinderella Modeling Agency in Manchester New Hampshire

I love getting emails like this. If you go see John at Cinderella Modeling Agency in Manchester New Hampshire hold on tight to your check book, you have exactly what he is looking for 795 dollars. He didn't even change his pitch! The owner is also fully aware of the scam everybody makes out except you!


Anonymous said...

THANK YOU for you blog. You just saved me an investment of 795 in comp cards, when I don't even have that money to spend.

Last week I drove all the way up to Manchester to Cinderella Agency to see John (he never gave his last name) with cell phone number starting with 978. I had answered a "CASTING" ad on craigslist...

The ad read:

"We are currently holding open casting calls for feature film to be filmed in the Boston area.

We have over 100 small supporting roles and bit parts and would like to cast
local actors and non-actors.

We are seeking people of all ages, ethnicities, genders.

No acting experience necessary!

Please include the following information:

Name:
Phone Number:
Location:
Age:
Picture if possible


Casting other films as well."

Well, the scam played out almost exactly as already documented. (I wish I had read this earlier or I'd have been spared the hour-plus road trip.) There were only 12 of us there or so, but he said we were lucky because there had just been 500 there the week before. I agree that he was quite charismatic. He talked about how he'd been out in L.A. for 20 years, but now was the place to be. Boston is, as he noted, "Hollywood East". He hates that cold weather here, but this is the place where all the money is. etc. Same spiel as already noted and then some. I won't go through it again. Ultimately, he tells us that he will let each one of us know within the week if he is interested in us. And then he says not to feel bad if we don't hear back at all, but that he only selects those who he knows will be able to work in the film industry. (Note: he never actually tells us which feature films he is casting for.)

Then of course, I heard back from him the right day. It turns out that I have what he's looking for but I must pay 795 to get comp cards... and website is indeed a myspace account for Studio 8. Sketchy. Oh, and he tells me that although Suzette of the Cinderella Agency wanted to charge me 1000 for the comp cards, he is going to offer me the low price of 795... and I need to let him know by that evening if I can pay...

Ah... I could have written more, but the whole things just kind of depresses and angers me. How can his guy be out there still? And what can be done to stop him? I wish I could get in touch with some of the other innocent folk that went to the session. I am worried that they may already be taking the plunge.
October 19, 2009 9:35 AM