Scams, Stunts, and Black Independent Film

I remember my TV production instructor telling me to beware of the scammers you will meet in the film industry. He explained that one of the biggest scams was the guy who is always in preproduction for projects, however you can never catch the guy in principal photography or postproduction. This preproduction scam is designed to get money out of investors and sleep with women who think they will be cast in a role.

I have meet several scammers in my career as a black independent filmmaker.

One of the most memorable was a guy in Atl  who explained that he wanted to start a Hollywood style industry in Atlanta. The first clue was that he called me at 9:30 pm on a Sunday to pitch his business model and explain how he could distribute my documentary “The Bay”.

I recognized his scam as soon as he made an analogy to selling cocaine to describe why his business model for distribution would work. As I asked more questions, he went into how the Internet was controlled by Hollywood and I could not trust it. He also explained that his company asked for “partners” to pay a set fee into the production company and they would be guaranteed parts in upcoming movies. This practice was odd in my opinion. Why would you commit to an actor/actress just because they have paid you? What if they are not right for the role from the start?

I choose to pass on his distribution offer. I knew it was a scam five minutes into our conversation.

Another scammer is the guy who thinks he can find a producer on Craigslist. Hell you can barely find a legit production job on Craigslist. I have never contacted the person trying to find his Jerry Bruckheimer via Craigslist.  I think even the most naive person would understand that Craigslist is not the avenue to try to produce films.

In the film industry you have to really be on top of your game to discern the real form the fake. Many people are attracted to film for reasons other then telling stories and expressing themselves through the visual medium of film or digital video. Stay on point and watch who you are connected to.