Work as a Film Extra? SCAM!!!

Hippocampus

This will be a wee bit long as I'm attaching an email... so I apologise in advance.

There is a scam doing the rounds, advertised on Gumtree amonst others, asking for film extras, and work is suitable for students/folk on benefits etc. It's a scam. If you reply to the ad, you get an email with details of where to meet to be taken to the film set and that you'll be asked for a deposit to cover accidental damage. Their "coordinator" may phone the Monday before you travel, supposedly to confirm details, but in reality it's to rob you of at £50. Likewise, their asking for a deposit is an attempt to steal from you.

Here's a sample of the email. Locations etc have been known to vary. If you get one of these, forward it to the police, including the email header.

On no account give any details if they phone, and do NOT email any details to them. And for goodness sake, do NOT travel to the destination in the email. There will be nobody there to meet you. Except perhaps a few unhappy students who probably won't even have the rail fare home.

This is NOT RKO. Their domain was only set up in April this year, and you should be aware that the scam involves pretending to be different companies. The email below is identical in every case though, apart from small details such as names etc.

Dear Kxxxxx,

This is to confirm your reservation for the movie: Dead Live .

Meeting Location: Cardiff Central Railway Station, Central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1EP.

Clear signs will be displayed on the roadside (Wood St./Central Sq.) directing you to our base on the due date ( 29th May ).

Free transport will be provided from thereon.

We will be situated adjacent to the main entrance of the railway station outside Marks & Spencer (Simply Food) Central Square. We will have a clearly marked marquee and a sign to direct you. Jonathan Heston and Elizabeth Hawthorn will be there from 9am – 12pm to sign you in.

You must arrive no later than 11.30am, allowing 30 minutes for late arrivals, as after this time we will depart to our establishment location in Maerdy.

Once here you will get your room key card and 1hr to settle in. You will be required to fill in all relevant forms so we have all your important details (Inc: Medications/Next of kin/Food preferences/Allergies) you will also have your measurements taken for film clothing.

You will be briefed and given a tour. Test shoot will commence at 5 pm and finish for 10pm.

Your first day will now finish.

Next day rehearsals will begin at 7.30 am until 7pm. Breakfast/Lunch/dinner supplied. Your filming duration will commence on the 29th May and finish on the 1st of June at 4pm.


Film residence location:

Accommodation

Maerdy Farmhouse
Llanover,
Abergavenny
Wales
NP7 9DB.

In addition to the accommodation within the farmhouse we also have the benefit of A1 prestige mobile accommodation units constructed onsite. These units house two and come with shower/convenience facilities, Wi-Fi, Internet TV, Sky.

Filming Location:

Lluest-Wen Reservoir/Forest, Maerdy, Wales.

Periodic filming in and around Maerdy, proximity Central.

Filming Duration:

Your official employment time starts at the time you arrive at our meeting point, (11.30 – 12pm) 29 th May, however your earning rate starts from 4pm and you will finish on 1 st June at 4pm.

After completion, your journey by public transport will commence at 6pm, the time you should expect to make your way home via coach/rail. Those travelling by car can make their way home anytime after 4pm as they wish.


Your Specific Role: Background Casting (Extra)

(Brief Descript)

Your position as one of the background players will be one of the many ex-employees of the nuclear bunker that have been infected into strong, fast and deadly gruesome zombie demons, who have since been terrorising the inhabitants of the forest. No nude or sexual scenes apply. The projects casting department will coordinate with you to discuss the exact requirements.

Security Protocol

The filming industry has changed somewhat and for us to secure the safety of our leading actors we have to ensure that you meet our stringent protection guidelines as for now your status as a temp cast member is limited until we are content with our clearance protocol, which was deemed to be necessary due to past events and breach in security.

However, once you have completed your time with us and after an assessment we will upgrade your position to the D3 list which affords you the direct numbers and privilege of priority selection.

Travel:

Arriving by car:

(Signage on Wood St./Central Square).

Please follow the directions to Cardiff Central Railway Station car park and make your way to the meeting point.

All arriving by car will have to follow the minibus to our location where secure parking is available. Please retain your fuel receipts for refund, max £150. Fuel concessions will be permitted on return home after your filming duration.

By Coach:

Cardiff - National Express Coach Station.

Arrive at coach station – 5 min walk to Central Square railway station main entrance.

Coach tickets will be supplied via email (e-ticket with return) on the 28 th May before 5pm, after initial coordinator contact.

By Rail:

Cardiff Central Railway Station (Central Sq.)

Rail tickets will be supplied via email (e-ticket with return) on the 28 th May before 5pm, after initial coordinator contact.

On Monday 28 th May, Jonathan Heston (Coordinator) your group representative, will phone you to explain exactly what the procedures are for the day of filming, transport or anything you need clarifying. He will also give you his direct mobile phone number and also our film studios private direct number , keep these numbers saved in your mobile and only call if it’s important as we are a very busy dept.

Please be aware that albeit working in the media industry may be an exciting prospect it can be hard work at the best of times that has its rewards in more ways than one including many perks. In addition to that you will also have the opportunity to attend the various social events surrounding this particular production and mingle with film and television celebrities.

You must conduct yourself with professionalism, reliability and utmost integrity.

Any cast member breaking the rules will be dismissed immediately.

We require a small deposit for your accommodation held against any damage caused to your room during the duration of your stay.

The deposit is refunded when you have finished your required part, on top of your payment for services rendered, one week in arrears, payment day: Friday. Alternatively deposits can be refunded on the day you vacate your room providing your unit is in satisfactory order.

If any damage caused exceeds the deposit amount then deductions will be subtracted from your earnings to date if applicable.

We only ask for a deposit for the following reason.

To cover costs during your stay if you damage your room. We supply all our staff with a resident communal bar and are aware of the night parties many cast members have, which occasionally leads to damage to your allocated units. We have catered for this by way of a communal chill out zone to combat the problem but some temp cast members do not take heed. If damage exceeds the deposit then deductions will be made from your earnings.

We currently have various ongoing projects/filming that require us to accommodate many of our current casting members and subsequently need to keep the rota system operational, as deadlines have to be met. Therefore, the deposit has to be made by Friday 25th May as we have to reserve your room. If payment has not been received by this date then unfortunately your place will be reallocated.

Please email Clarissa Davenport: [EMAIL="Accounts@RKOPicturesllc.com"]Accounts@RKOPicturesllc.com[/EMAIL] for method of Payment. Room deposit £50.

Once she has received and confirmed your refundable deposit she will issue you with your unique pass code and also your room number.

We treat all our casting members as guests, with respect, courtesy and in return we expect the same. We believe in a working ethos, that’s friendly, relaxed and family orientated as we have experienced a positive, productive working environment as a result.

Most importantly we will allocate priority casting for cast members that are outgoing, hardworking, initiative and easy to work with for future productions.

If you've done extra work before then you know what to expect, however if this is all new to you then you are in for a compelling experience of your life. Please don’t be nervous as our dedicated team member of your group will take care of all your needs and will look after you from start to finish.

Re-cap: You have to arrive at Cardiff Central Railway Station by no later than 11.30 am on Tuesday 29th May , 2012.

Please keep note of the details that Elizabeth Hawthorn from castings has emailed to you and also bring whatever you have been asked of.

We look forward to working with you and welcome.

Kindest Regards,

Penelope Wetherby PA
D3 Allocations

Azari

The fact that there is no mention of 'Dead Live' in pre-production on IMDB should have been a bit of a give away.

It's really sad that anyone can fall for something like this. The object of working is that you get paid. No outfit that isn't a scam will ask you to send them money in order that you can work.

When film companies want extras they just find them locally.

NBLondon

The deposit is apparently to cover accidental damage to the accommodation provided. They're going to provide accommodation with cast parties and pay your travel costs to Wales on top of the actual fee? The phrase "too good to be true" springs to mind

The one time I was an extra - I wore my own clothes, made my own way to the location and got paid £10 and a lunch.

maninthestreet

Presumably if you turn up at the pick-up point on the specified date/time, there will be no one there to meet you? Except, perhaps, other poor souls who have paid their 'deposit' like you?
Are you sure this isn't a staged scam by the BBC 'Real Hustle' team?

Hippocampus

The only mention I could find was in a Google cached Gumtree forum page. From last year, where the email was all but identical apart from names and location.

I've passed all details on to the police. I just hope the scammer was stupid enough to use his own card to register the domain.

shaun_from_Africa

Your position as one of the background players will be one of the many ex-employees of the nuclear bunker that have been infected into strong, fast and deadly gruesome zombie demons, who have since been terrorising the inhabitants of the forest. No nude or sexual scenes apply. The projects casting department will coordinate with you to discuss the exact requirements.

A zombie horror movie with no nude or sexual scenes. That alone points to it being a scam.

paddyrg

Castingcollective are a real extras agency - you pay no upfront fee, although there is an annual charge of £75 to stay on roster (taken from your fees). No extras get shown round locations or accommodated as a rule - but you can often camp nearby. Pay is about £90-ish a day before tax etc and the days are long and brutal. And there is still a lot of competition to work! Contact them if you want real extras work, they hold semiregular open castings if they can't staff entirely from roster.

Mk14:37

A 'job offer' on Gumtree that requires an upfront payment is a scam... shock, who'd have thought it?!

sonicsphere

I've looked at doing this, waited for a call today to provide my rail tickets and no call. Instead they've cancelled filming and re-allocated another date????

esrl

Yes ive just been conned, film extras had this company advertising extra job on their web site. not to sure if film extras web site is ok. they said job three days in wales pay £50 UPFRONT DUE TO RECENT DAMAGES TO ROOMS, THEIR EMAILS TO ME WERE GOOD AND LOOKED THE REAL THING, THEY CALLED THEMSELVES RKO PICTURESLLC. IN CHELSEA. PLEASE DONT PAY ANY COMPANY UPFRONT ITS A SCAM. HAVE REPORTED TO POLICE AND FILM EXTRA WEBSITE. not that they have responded to me!!!!!NOTICED THere IS ANOTHER JOB REGARDING ZOMBIE EXTRAS WANTED IN NUCLEAR BUNK. BE AWARE THIS COULD BE THE SAME COMPANY. YOU DONT EARN A FORTUNE AS AN EXTRA. Im fed up that Ive lost £50

supermax5

Oh I am such a fool! got done by this too

They asked for a 360money e-voucher code for the £50 deposit is there no way I can stop this going through or find out who took it?