08/07/2026
"In the United States, there is no single federal statute regulating casting director workshops, but states—most notably California via the Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act (AB 1319)—enforce strict "pay-to-play" rules. These laws make it illegal to charge actors for auditions or job interviews, restricting paid sessions strictly to bona fide education."
I'm posting this because I am seeing more and more blatant advertising from both casting directors and agents who are selling workshops and classes with complete disregard for the appropriate measures they should be taking to insure they are doing so with integrity and proper protocols.
Unfortunately, we do not have comprehensive legislation anywhere except in California to regulate behavior, which basically means zoom is a free for all because if your casting office or agency that is hosting and teaching is located anywhere other than California, you can attract "customers" from all over and avoid the required bond and required disclaimers.
The legislation California does have still leaves A LOT of room for CD's and Agents to offer these classes and workshops and lead actors to believe whatever they want about what it means.
So it's up to actors to ask themselves WHY are you registering? If you are looking for insight only someone in that profession can offer you, I get that. That makes sense. So... find them on a FREE panel, many of them do that. Read their social media pages and the advice they give. Most of them do that. Find an organization like SAG/AFTRA, WOMEN IN FILM, ACTORS EQUITY, and dozens of other legitimate organizations that serve actors who bring them in to speak on panels or assist in workshops. But be clear... when the CD or AGENT themselves are hosting... and they're charging you top dollar, no matter what disclaimer they attach, it's a pay-to-play. They know it and so do you.
The second photo is a contact form on a CASTING DIRECTORS WEBSITE! It is literally on the CONTACT page of their website. Of these classes, only the bottom two are not taught by either a CD or Agent. And the CD's are members are CSA!
