Claiming to be Experts

In a competitive business such as acting, self-proclaimed acting gurus are everywhere. With actors constantly worrying about getting better agents and audition opportunities, acting gurus seem to pop from every corner. They promise actors to show them the path to success. Also, they charge a lot of money for their advice. They claim to know the business inside and out from experience. But should they all be trusted equally?

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How They Attract Actors

The scenario is familiar. You feel like your acting career needs a little push. But you don’t know quite what to do. You have taken classes and started an agent search, but so far, no luck with auditions. So, you open your laptop and start typing. A simple web search for acting career tips can land you in guru land. The next thing you know, your search results are overflown with ex-managers, ex-agents, and retired casting directors inviting you to watch them talk about the industry.

At first, it seems harmless. The acting gurus offer plenty of “free advice” as content on Social Media platforms. But then, the invitations to pay up (or “upgrade” your connection with them) start coming. That is when the lines start blurring. There is nothing illegal about charging for your time and alleged expertise. But, how ethical is it? How much is fair to pay? And, most importantly, how do you decide whether or not your acting master is just a glorified scammer?

Unfortunately, too many unethical acting coaches take advantage of desperately vulnerable actors. By charging hundreds to thousands of dollars for group classes, private consultations, and subscriptions to their content, they are enriching themselves by exploring an industry most of them have retired from a long time ago. In this article, we explore how to spot the warning signs of unethical acting gurus, and what steps you can take to protect yourself.

[Read also: 6 Reasons to Never Pay to Be in a Talent Showcase]

From Inspiration To Exploitation

Their free content on YouTube or TikTok typically looks legitimate. You have been following them, and so far, everything you hear makes sense. They talk about headshots, self-tapes, and representation. They are as inspiring as the most expensive motivational speakers – and sometimes almost equally cheesy. And if you were having a dull week or two, they give you just the inspiration to shake it up. You take a second look at your Actors Access page, and maybe follow up with a couple of representation emails.

You get yourself on a roll again, with a to-do list that gets you going. A few videos later, they casually mention their “private coaching group, ” or their “career consultations.” The lines blur a little more. Without much thought, some actors will sign up for more “free ” content. Commonly through a webinar or a private online group, the masterminds will offer some more “wisdom” and collect information from actors so they can keep pushing their paid services later.

Prices for career consultation services are not regulated by law. In a free market, anyone can charge as much as they consider fair for their time. So, how should an actor decide how much money to give an expert to learn about the business of acting?
First, understand that many self-proclaimed experts will try to get as much “repeat business” from actors as possible. They may have low-price entry-level tiers for group classes. Commonly, they will offer “upgrades” to different tiers. It is not hard to end up spending thousands of dollars to get coached by one person in a relatively short time.

Deciding how much money to spend is up to you. It is essential, though, for the actor to investigate the actual level of expertise of a coach. That’s how you make an informed decision.

{Read also: 5 Lessons From Casting Directors Workshops]

Who Is Legitimate?

When you decide to give an acting business coach a try, there are a few things you need to do before swiping your credit card. First, look them up. If all of someone’s online presence was created by themselves and not validated by any reliable third party, you should not be too quick to trust them. Creating a successful media presence involves a marketing strategy that does not require legitimacy.

That means anyone who managed to grow a Social Media following can claim to be an expert. But, are they? What are their verified credentials? If someone claims to have industry experience, can you find their credits on IMDb? Are those credits as impressive as the words they say? How long have they been retired? In an industry that changes and grows, much old-school knowledge is outdated. You don’t want to waste money with information that no longer applies to the business.

It is important to differentiate self-proclaimed experts who have not worked in the industry for years from the industry insider who coaches actors and still works in the business. A Casting Director who currently casts projects, even if they are in a brief hiatus between projects, has first-hand knowledge of the constant changes in recent years affecting our industry. On the other hand, someone who has not cast a project in the last three years has certainly not experienced the dramatic changes in the casting process that are affecting actors and productions across the board.

[Read also: 5 Awesome Acting Training Tips]

Red Flags: Over-Pricing And Over-Promising

Be careful with the over-promising coach. They often under-deliver what they promise. And they blame it on the actor they are coaching – from their headshots to their mindset. There is always a motivational quote they refer to or an inspiring tale of a struggling actor whose hard work finally paid off. You don’t need to pay to hear those stories. An unethical acting coach will go as low as making you feel guilty for not choosing them as their coach.

They will over-price their time when, oftentimes, what they offer is participation in group sessions. In those groups, there is much talk and not always much useful information. Answers to questions are vague and one-size-fits-all. More personalized advice is likely very costly and probably better when done by a manager working on commission.

Unless your coach is going to spend time with you going over your career goals and helping you strategize like a manager would, anything they have to share is probably already on their YouTube channel. And you can access that typically for free, or at a very low cost.

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Conclusion: Protecting Yourself

In addition to personally verifying an acting business coach’s credentials (one tool is IMDBpro), examine the reviews that others have posted about the acting business coach. Look for comments that are specific and mention the pros and cons they experienced while working with the coach. This can provide an unbiased opinion and insight into the true nature of their work. They may also mention the coach’s success rate, which is an important factor to consider when making such a big decision.

You should also ensure that the coach has an up-to-date and professional website that clearly outlines their services and what their clients can expect. A website that is no longer maintained or is lacking in detail does not convey professionalism.

Finally, look for resources within the acting community, through your connections. A more experienced actor may give you valuable advice on whom to trust when it comes to coaching. And, while the acting world is full of challenges and uncertainties, you have the power to protect yourself from unethical acting masterminds. By understanding the warning signs, staying informed, and building a community of supportive resources, you can pursue your dreams with confidence and integrity. Remember, you deserve to be respected, valued, and empowered as an actor, and there are ethical coaches and resources out there who can help you achieve your goals.

[Read also: 6 Reasons To Never Pay To Be In A Talent Showcase]

• • Note: The word “guru” has been culturally appropriated by Western culture to refer to someone who is an alleged expert in their field. We do not mean to disrespect cultures where the word “guru” has its original meaning.

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At Teacup of Wisdom, we share knowledge and insights about the entertainment industry from the actor’s point of view to inspire and empower your acting journey.