Previously
we began talking about what you need to know to book a job with a new
designer. For expert advice, we interviewed Ivory Narvell, founder of
the Miss Spokesmodel International modeling
competition and designer of ReignSuit, a new line of swimwear launching
this year. Ivory Narvell has worked with lots of models, including Dani
Evans from America’s Next Top Model and was more than happy to give our members and us the scoop on how they can grab the attention of new designers.

When
we interviewed Ivory Narvell, she gave us so much great advice that we
decided to create a list of the top tips Ivory shared with us during
her interview. Check out these tips below. We’re sure they’ll be
extremely helpful in your quest to land jobs modeling with new designers.

Top Tips from Ivory Narvell, fashion designer and runway coach:

• Always be on time – if not early. Time is money and no one likes to wait on a model.

• Know what you really want to do in this industry and where you fit in.  

• Learn as many skills as you can. Even if you are considered too short for most agencies to hire you for a fashion show, perfect your runway walk anyway. You never know what opportunities may arise.

• Don’t get discouraged if you’re experiencing lots of rejection. Different designers want different things from models. You’ll get your shot.

• Know
  the ins and outs of the industry so that when a designer or agency
  approaches you about a job, you can discuss the opportunity
  intelligently. There are a lot of girls who have a great look but don’t
  get booked because they don’t appear to take the industry seriously.  

• Even if you do not have a professional portfolio,
  make sure you have snap shots of yourself, preferably with no make up.
  Also have full body shots because designers will need to see your body
  type.  

• When you’re taking your photos, always make sure there is proper lighting and never over-exaggerate when posing.

Special thanks to Ivory Narvell for sharing her expert advice with us. Ready to put Ivory’s advice to the test? Visit http://StarSearchCasting.com for casting calls from designers and agencies, plus a whole lot more!

If you’re a fan of reality television, then you’ve probably noticed that quite a few actors, singers, dancers and models are jumping on the bandwagon and taking jobs as on-air personalities and television show hosts. These jobs offer great opportunities for visibility and exposure, and can help make actors household names.

To
land a job as a television host or on-air personality, you have to be
charismatic, engaging and be able to get people excited about the
information you’re presenting or the show you’re hosting. If you
consider yourself to be well spoken, articulate and confident then you
would probably make a great host or on-air personality. Some well-known
on-air personalities and television hosts include Ryan Seacrest (American Idol) and Sugar Ray lead singer, Mark McGrath (Extra). Another great example is Kelly Ripa. She started in the business as a soap opera actress, and now she’s the host of one of the most successful television morning shows, Live with Regis and Kelly.

Carmen Cecilia Limardo, known more fondly as “CC” is a Star Search Casting
member and an experienced television host. She’s worked in the industry
since 1993 and has been an on-air correspondent on shows appearing on
Univision and Telemundo as well as the host of the sports, music and
comedy show, Thunderbox.
CC has a dynamic voice, and this attribute has largely contributed to
her success. In addition to helping her land great jobs as a television
host, she’s also done voiceovers for commercials for Marshall’s, Burger
King, US Airways, Disney, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s and tons of other
popular U.S. brands.

We’ve had lots of casting calls on our websites for on-air personalities and hosts. When casting directors post these auditions,
they often use words like charming, dashing and confident to describe
the type of talent they are looking for. Does that sound like you? If
so, you could be well on your way to launching a career as a successful
television host!

So what are you waiting for? Visit www.StarSearchCasting.com today to search for casting calls
for television hosts and on-air personalities. And in the meantime, if
you want to get experience as a television host, public access channels
are a great way to get your feet wet. Contact your local cable company
to learn more about hosting opportunities on existing shows or starting
your own show. Good luck!

As the number of entertainment scams
targeting aspiring actors, singers, dancers and models escalate, and
scammers become more sophisticated in their methods, it can be tricky
to identify the difference between a scam and a legitimate opportunity.
In response to the growing number of modeling scam victims, Elite Casting Network ( www.EliteCastingNetwork.com
), in addition to becoming the number one casting website, has also
become the leading provider of up-to-date information on the latest entertainment industry scams.
Elite Casting Network educates users on how to spot a scam; actively
monitors all site activity to prevent members from becoming the victim
of popular internet scams; and encourages members to report suspicious
activities and warn others if they’ve uncovered a scam.

“Our
members use our site not only because they know they’ll get access to
valuable casting opportunities, but also because they know our website
is a safe environment that’s actively monitored to prevent scammers
from taking advantage of them,” says Jonathan Parker, CEO of Elite Casting Network, Inc. “In addition to making sure that the site is safe, we also try to educate our members on how to spot a scam.
Many Internet users think that if a site or service charges money that
it’s automatically a scam, but this is one of the most misleading
pieces of advice circulating the web. More accurately, if the site or
service asks for money but only accepts cash or money orders, that’s an
immediate red flag.”

The staff at Elite Casting Network is very knowledgeable of scamming trends
and it’s this knowledge that helps to keep the site and its members
safe. Elite Casting Network staff members regularly and routinely
updates its members on the latest industry scams. When members log in
to their website, the Entertainment Scam Alert
section provides instant updates on the most recent scammer activity
targeting aspiring actors, dancers, models and actors. Additionally
Elite Casting Network staff members post information about these scams
in the site’s forums to make sure members are informed and aware of
potential scams. Many of these posts occur within 24-48 hours of the
scam’s first appearance on the internet.

In
response to escalating Internet scams, the staff at Elite Casting
Network monitors all of the messages on the site regularly to ensure
the safety of its members. Additionally when members access their
messages, Elite Casting Network provides their members with an option
at the top of each message to flag the message if they encounter spam
or abuse.

Elite
Casting Network members also work to keep the site safe, and to keep
fellow members from falling victim to Internet scams. Elite Casting
Network members are encouraged to post information about acting scams
in the site’s forums if they encounter a scam or have become the victim
of a scam. The forums are also a great way for members to learn more
information about how to spot and avoid popular scams & frauds.

All
of these measures combined help to combat over 90% of scam attempts on
the Elite Casting Network website. For more information on the latest
entertainment industry related scams, log on to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com visit the online community for up-to-date, comprehensive information, tools and tips on how to avoid and spot modeling scams today.

I didn’t write this but I found it so I thought people would be interested:

I contacted http://www.fabulousflashcast.com
after I saw their casting call posted on another site. Then I started
doing some digging and found a lot of bad information about them. They
used to have a website called http://www.flashcastkids.com but scammed a lot of people so they changed their site to http://www.fabulousflashcast.com.
Flashcast still post fake Auditions all over the web on places like
craigslist. The Better Business Bureau gives them an ‘F’ rating which
is the lowest possible score. This is what the BBB said about Flashcast:

“On
December 18, 2001, we were advised by the company that they would no
longer respond to the complaints presented by the Bureau.

On
July 24, 2001, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a 14 count
misdemeanor action against the company and its principal, Carl
Carranza. The complaint alleged in part, that the defendants made
misleading statements in print ads, verbally, and on their website.

On
May 17, 2002, Flashcast, and its principal, Carl Carranza, were
convicted of 10 counts of using false and misleading advertising in
violation of the California Business & Professions code. The
company and Mr. Carranza were placed on probation for 36 months and
ordered to pay a fine of $4,050.00. They were also ordered to include a
statement listing any fees charged, including monthly fees, in all of
their advertisements. Anyone seeing an ad that does not contain the fee
information is asked to contact Mark Lambert, Deputy Los Angeles City
Attorney at (213) 978-8070.”

This is their address:

Fabulous Flashcast

3575 Cahuenga Blvd West, Suite 120
Universal City, CA 90068

(323) 969-9006

Has anyone else dealt with this company?

Here are some things I found in google:

1.
Business Owner Carl Ken Carranza and his Universal City-based company
Flashcast were convicted last week on 10 counts of false advertising
and could face a total of $60,000 in fees and up to five years of jail
time. Sentencing will take place on June 19. To read more go here: http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4380114-1.html

2.
I worked for Flashcast almost ten years ago and I’m shocked by the fact
that they are still in business. We were told to lie to potential
clients and when they were called back because their child was ‘cute’
(ALL WERE CALLED BACK!), the head ‘Casting Director’ would tell the
parents that they were auditioning for Huggies, Pampers, and other
well-known companies even though they were not. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm#126469

3.
Carl Carranza, Flashcast Kids and Flashcast Companies, Inc. has stooped
to fraud and deception again. One would have thought Carranza learned
his lesson after being convicted on May 17, 2002 of 10 counts of fraud
and false and misleading advertising, and was forced to pay thousands
in fines (he was also sentenced to three years probation). to read more
go to: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/105/RipOff0105343.htm

4.
They advertise what looks like an audition in the industry and then
they sell what they call their ‘computerized casting service.’ So you
go there, you audition, they don’t tell you about a fee. Then if you’re
called back (everyone gets called back if Carl Carranza thinks he can
get money out of them), they tell you at that point that you have to
make your decision right then. There’s an initial fee of around $495,
and you’re obligated for the next two years to send them 20 photos,
plus a $50-a-month fee. That’s $1,200 over two years, plus the initial
$500 registration, plus the cost of 20 photos per month. to read more
go here: http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4380693-1.html

5.
The case against Flashcast Entertainment is based on a 14-count
complaint against owner Carl Ken Carranza and Deborah Elton Haugen
charging them of being an unlawful job-listing service as well as
falsely advertising in the LA Weekly and on the company’s own website, www.flashcastkids.com & www.FabulousFlashcast.com. To read more go here: http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/news/10.html

6.
I recently signed with Flashcast and parted with $1500 in order to do
so. These fraudsters need to be stopped! To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/232/RipOff0232900.htm

7.
They kept her mighty busy with more compliments and questions and fake
interest, to keep her from reading all of their safety net legal stuff
and small print. After signing away her life, she was asked for her
identification and credit card for "verification purposes". These
people will tell you anything to get your money. To read more go here: http://www.pissedconsumer.com/consumer-reviews/professional/flashcast-%11-carl-caranzaaddress%3a3575-cahuenga-blvd-(also%2c–review-%11-service%11professional-2007040897697.html

8.
On top of paying $1500 and still no modeling jobs not even one, my
daughter has worked with other companies and clothing lines where they
have never asked for a dime. Carl Carranza and Fabolous Flashcast are total scammers. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/260/RipOff0260231.htm

9.
Company works from a very official looking office in LA in not a bad
area and goes to every length to convince clients that everything is
legit. Suspicion is raised by the mountain of very similar looking
referral letters printed in the same font almost and the robotic but
convincing sales pitch of two employees. Carl Carranza posts fake success stories all over the web trying to build credibility for himself. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/032/RipOff0032559.htm

10. Hard to believe that Carl Carranza and Fabolous Flashcast / Flashcast Kids
are still in business, despite the numerous warnings on the Internet
and the convictions for FRAUD. Carl Carranza has mastered the art of
lying to your face to get your money. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/090/RipOff0090062.htm

11. When Brad was about 6 months old, we got suckered into a uniquely Los Angeles scam by ‘Fabolous Flashcast’, where we paid $500 for nothing. To read more go here: http://parentingfrontline.blogspot.com/2008/03/march-madness.html

12. We are recent victims of his fraudulent practice and are filing a case against him. Mr. Carranza’s scams include illegal advance fee requests,
pretense for being a legitimate practice, and use of hardball sales and
emotional tactics to acquire money from intelligent and innocent
parents. Carl Carranza and needs to be shut down for good. To read more
go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/132/RipOff0132815.htm

13.
Then, we were asked to meet with the CEO and he was very positive about
the kids. He then goes through what the company does and talks quickly
about a fee of $1500. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/132/RipOff0132815.htm#156769

14. Flashcast kids company is a total rip off…
they will fool you to pay money and then they never respond to you ever
again… it happened to me and my family. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093344.htm#58066

15.
Can you believe this company still going on and on? Ripping off parents
like us and using our child as a way of getting their money. Flashcast will steal your money and you get nothing for it. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093344.htm

16. Don’t pay Fabulous Flashcast – http://www.fabulousflashcast.com anything! They are a complete scam company who posts fake modeling jobs for kids
in order to get your money! Just do a check on craigs list and you will
find they post the same fake auditions over and over. The owner of
Flashcast is Carl Ken Carranza who is a convicted criminal. To read
more go here: http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/fabulous-flashcast-c76710.html

17. One look at their terrible website and you can tell they are a scam: http://www.fabulousflashcast.com/welcome.html

18. My complaint is against flashcast which is a fraud and scam,
this company when you first arrive have you sit in a playroom, where
there are pictures of kids that so called modeled for carl caranza. To
read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/260/RipOff0260231.htm

19.
Because of the nature of their business, they can say anything they
want, and blame their lack of performance and unfulfilled promises on
the industry, your child, etc., and hide behind their small print. To
read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/242/RipOff0242913.htm

20. The Fabulous Flashcast scam continues even after CEO Carl Carranza is convicted of fraud. To read more go here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137820

21. Flashcast cunningly fools eager parents
into believing that their kids might be future stars and commands a
large fee upfront. Company is allegedly trying to find modeling work
for clients babies and commands a large fee up front. To read more go
here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/032/RipOff0032559.htm

22.
I was also scammed. I paid $1500.00 almost a year ago and have only had
one casting call that wasn’t even for babies! To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/001/RipOff0001927.htm#208336

23. This company is a total rip-off.
Yes, something has to be done, to keep other parents from being
deceived. They pretend to be a legitimate company but they are far from
being a true casting company. 24. I too have been riped off. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm

25. I have been working for Carl Carranza for many years. It is very difficult when we were ordered to give the customer misleading information just to get them to sign the contract. Of course to keep our job we had to do what we had to do. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm#58065

26.
I hope you can contact me regarding the jerk Carl Carranza. I will be
taking him to small claims court and was wondering if you could be of
any assistance to me. Carl has ripped off one too many parents. To read
more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm#59860

27. Convicted criminal and CEO of Fabulous Flashcast ( http://www.FabulousFlashcast.com ) Carl Carranza is still scamming hopeful parents who want to get their kids into modeling. To read more go here: http://www.elitecastingnetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99805

28.
Carl Carranza and Debra were very nice in all of the pre-contract
meetings (even though Carl reminded me of a smarmy car salesman), but
once I signed the paper I was like the invisible woman and they would
never return my calls. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/105/RipOff0105343.htm#69300

29. Carl Carranza is a crook.
He’s been convicted of fraud and false advertising, he’s violated court
orders by weaseling around his responsibility to advertise his prices
by using third-party websites to sell his services. He’s lied as to how
long Flashcast has been in business. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/105/RipOff0105343.htm#69801

30. Flashcast kids company is a total rip off… they will fool you to pay money
and then they never respond to you ever again… it happened to me and
my family.. and many more parent that still keep going there… so
somebody please HELP ME!!! LET’S TAKE ACTION against this company to
prevent it from happening to many other parent. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093344.htm#58066

31. Late last month, he filed complaints
against two Los Angeles County companies, claiming they were illegally
doing business in the entertainment industry. One, Flashcast Companies
Inc. To read more go here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_33_23/ai_77757924

32. Be careful, they are a serious scam.
They have you pay, then stick your kid’s file in a drawer doing nothing
for the child until you complain. To read more go here: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Careers-Acting-Performing-1479/f_4696878.htm

33.
Half of their site is dedicated to telling you that everyone from the
Better Business Bureau to Rip-off Report is also a scam. Fabulous Flashcast attacks anyone who reveals their scam. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/346/RipOff0346190.htm

34. Beware of Mr. Carl Carranza’s child modeling scam.
We are recent victims of his fraudulent practice and are filing a case
against him. Mr. Carranza’s scams include illegal advance fee requests,
pretense for being a legitimate practice, and use of hardball sales and
emotional tactics to acquire money from intelligent and innocent
parents. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/132/RipOff0132815.htm

35. The specific things that they say they will do are1)
help you get an agent for your child (2) help you post your child on a
casting website and (3) ‘guide’ you as a newcomer to the world of
baby/kids modeling. My problem with Flashcast is that they barely do
those few things for you, if they do anything at all – and for $1500 I
expected a lot more. In fact there are many casting sites I can enroll
on myself, I can search for my own agent, and I can read the endless
information on the web about how to get into the entertainment business
all by myself and save $1500! To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/232/RipOff0232900.htm

This
is an example of the fake auditions they post all over the web. The
first thing that tips you off about this scam is when they say "Stable
Parents! Financial stability is a must!". Hmm sounds like they want
people who can pay them a lot of money!

Flashcast posts casting calls like this all over the web:

"All Ages, Sizes and Types! w/Fabulous Stable Parents! Financial stability is a must!

Modeling! TV Commercials! Films!

College Tuition!

Established Company, in biz OVER 20 YEARS in Los Angeles w/ impeccable references!

Pls email a regular snapshot ASAP to newfaces@fabulousflashcast.com 24 hours!

For more information on our one of a kind service, please go to www.fabulousflashcast.com

MEETING SELECTED NEW KIDS BY APPT. ONLY!

***FABULOUS FLASHCAST!***

(323) 969-9006…select option 1

Recent Projects the talent agents we work with have submitted on:

OLD NAVY, BABY GAP, OSH KOSH, BABYSTYLE, TARGET, DISNEY, ETC.

Location: Universal City Compensation: $582 (approx.) for SAG work,
$125.00 per hour (approx.) for Print Modeling Principals only.
Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster. Please, no phone
calls about this job! Please do not contact job poster about other
services, products or commercial interests."

If you have been scammed by Carl Carranza & Fabulous Flashcast
you should contact Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Mark Lambert at
(213) 978-8070. He is currently building another case against these
scam artists!