Hi all, just wondering if any of you had any advice regarding Star Now!
I've just a text from someone who has said he found me through Star Now and said he's interested in me playing a role in a film currently in pre-production. Has anyone else received a similar sort of text out of the blue before?
I find it a bit odd that he did not say his full name, and am not entirely sure how he got my mobile number as it's not public on my profile - I presume that it can be seen by employers privately through Star Now or something?
I'm very dubious about getting this text suddenly for a 'lead role'. Do you think I should reply asking for more details, or just reply saying could he please go through my agent? Are most agents used to being contacted by people out of the blue through the internet / Star Now?
Definitely ask him to go to your agent - or, better yet, ignore it. I'm afraid this unlikely to be genuine. If you are worried about missing an opportunity just point him at your agent. Agents are happy to field any enquiries about their clients' availability - they do it all the time.
Also, report it to Starnow. Do you have his mobile number or is it number unknown? This sounds very dubious. If your mobile number is not on your profile on Starnow then this is not OK. He should be contacting you via Starnow, not via a text. In short, no, this is not normal.
We've used StarNow quite a bit. We only get messages through the site and are sent a link. I think PGs advice is good- I'd also check on your profile whether you have inadvertently allowed yourself to be contacted in this manner.
I agree it sounds very strange! Yes I do have his number - should I report it to Star Now immediately or let my agent check it out first?
I agree it doesnt sound genuine! I've doubled checked on my account and I have put my mobile number with my account information but it is not displayed when I view my profile - but maybe it is visible to people listing a job? I'm not sure!
I have just emailed star now expressingmy concerns so hopefully they will reply soon!
I replied to the text giving my agent's email, and he replied back asking for their number and a time which he could call them.
Do you think I should reply again and give their number? I'm reluctant to bother as I'm so supsicious! Surely he could just email my agent?
Wev'e had quite a few messages requesting ds for roles which we haven't applied for. However they always come through starnow as no one can see your email or mobile details, so that is odd that they have your mobile number. You have given them your agents name so it would be easy enough for them to find the phone number to contact them if they are genuine. Hope you get a response from starnow about it.
We have had a few people message us directly through the Starnow site message system, without there being a job advertised, and they turned out to be really good jobs. Would be dubious about a direct text though.
You get a feel for the iffy ones by making enquiries......the one I was always a little hmmm about was one called the "little goose girl" who was contacting people direct and now seems to have died a death. There was a terrific smell of something a bull did about it.
I agree that direct contacts when you have not applied for a job are common and not necessarily a cause for concern (though still need checking out). These contacts should be via the site though - unless you have somehow given permission for your number to be given out to anyone enquiring (bit risky I think, considering how little checking out of "employers" Starnow do).
If this person is genuine and knowledgeable and in a position to contact someone about a role in a film then he is certainly able to contact your agent without you giving him the phone number. He presumably knows how to use the internet. He doesn't need you to tell him when to contact them either - agents are available during office hours (and quite often outwith office hours if required). I cannot imagine anyone with any professional casting experience asking for "a time when he could call" an agent. Agents field casting calls and enquries all the time. Actors don't know precisely when their agent is going to be available to take a phone call! Neither do agents, come to that... Is your agent's name on your Starnow profile? Did you give your agent's company name to him as well as the email address?
If I were contacting someone who didn't know me I would definitely introduce myself properly first - he should surely realise this is necessary!
If you have given him an email, then you have done what you need to do. It would be interesting to know what Starnow say about this. You could do with knowing under what circumstances (and to whom) they give out your contact details (and what checks they make). If your agent's details are known to Starnow then those are the details they should be giving out. Perhaps you could ask Starnow to change your contact details to those of your agent?
Spotlight, for example, acts as a go-between for unrepresented adult actors (if actors have agents, then only those details are given out). For "care of Spotlight" actors they will field a call from someone and find out who they are. They will only give an actor's contact details to trusted CDs and if in any doubt, they ask the actor's permission before passing on contact details.
