…well, at least that is what someone under the nickname @im-real-true-tarantino (sort of) claimed. And yes - he asked for a "small fee."
(tired sigh)
That scam bait again.
How often do you run into this kind of thing?
How do you usually react - laugh it off, report it, or just ignore?
And most importantly - how do you NOT blow your chance if one day it actually IS a real producer reaching out with a project?
Curious to hear your stories.
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Hi, Alex Gutenberg. I report it, and sometimes I shake my head and laugh because they're pretending to be big-name pros in the industry.
Fake accounts and scam accounts pop up from time to time. Stage 32 is quick to remove the accounts.
One way to spot a fake account/scam account is if they don't have a profile picture, but that could just mean they haven't had the time to upload one yet.
Another way is to look at their profile bio. If they don't have a bio or their bio is full of typos and grammatical errors, they might be a fake account/scam account, but that's not always the case. Someone people just haven't filled out their bios yet, and English might not be their first language, so that could be why their bios are full of typos and grammatical errors.
Another way to spot a fake account/scam account is to check to see if they're active in the Lounges. If they aren't, it's a sign that they might be a fake account/scam account. That doesn't work all the time though. They might be a new member. Or they might just be busy, and they haven't made any Lounge posts yet.
Sometimes producers, directors, etc. have links to their websites, social media accounts, and IMDb page on their Stage 32 pages. That’s usually a sign that the Stage 32 account is legit, but sometimes a fake account posts the real person’s IMDb page on their Stage 32 page.
The best ways to tell if someone is fake are talking with them on their Lounge posts/through direct message (you should be able to pick up on things that'll show they're fake, like them not knowing certain things about projects they said they worked on) and having a Zoom meeting to see what they look like.
If you see a fake account, scam account, or suspicious account on Stage 32, email support@stage32.com with the person’s name and their Stage 32 profile link. And if someone sends you a scam message (like a producer asking for a producer's fee to make your script), send a screenshot of their message to Support with their name and profile link. Thanks.
is it real, we have fake people here?! aaaaa screaming, and director hih can we talk ~
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Maurice Vaughan Thank you for such a detailed letter, in general I understand and am just vigilant, but I would like to avoid a situation when a person contacts me with a real offer and I answer "go to hell, scammer!" Of course, I am being ironic, I almost never answer like that, rather I just decided to share my emotions here.
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i guess we just have to be nice overall hahaha, and healthy boundary settings. I'd usually just leave them be and not reply at all. But if i end realizing they're the real deal, i can just go back and say i missed their message
Alex Gutenberg you really said that
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You're welcome, Alex Gutenberg. I think the best thing to do is have a Zoom meeting. That way, you can see if it's the real person and you won't burn any bridges.
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I did once and it made me so mad! spent time and emotional roller coaster!
If it’s something that sounds too good to be true. I start googling and calling the production company or trying to call the office right away because I don’t wanna be hurt again. :-)
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Hi Alex,
Yes, this has happened to me as well. I think it’s best not to waste too much energy on these kinds of accounts—either report them or simply ignore them. What helps me is always checking profiles and their background before replying.
A real producer or industry professional will know how to introduce themselves properly, and they won’t be asking for money. So it’s about staying cautious, but also keeping ourselves open to genuine opportunities.
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Phoebe Anasco Most often I leave too, but sometimes I'm interested in what their scheme is, purely for the sake of script experience.
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Hi. I rarely receive such messages. And thanks to the sanctions on Russian banks, I can't fall for such deception because I can't transfer money abroad.
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Ela Ilham Von Schöning True, I think this is precisely the challenge for the agent. Do you feel suspicious if producers themself are looking for the script?
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Koby Nguyen the joke is that a real producer might not do this, because he acts from the position of a buyer, like dropping a post "looking for scripts" - and his entire inbox will already be filled with loglines.
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Alex Gutenberg I don't get suspicious, because I don't want a scam to turn me into a suspicious person :-) I just do my homework if something in the conversation fells off and move on!!!
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Alex Gutenberg The only thing wrong with this post is that is not a 'catfish'. Glad you didn't get 'hooked in'
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UGH. It happens TOO DAMN MUCH and I try not to fall for it, but my heart jumps at the beginning and then I fall HARD!
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Alex Gutenberg Alex, thanks so much, really. Your post reminded and good it feels me how important to share openly with you and my fellow Stage32 members. It means a lot today!
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Oh yes, I’ve run into those scams too — sometimes it feels like a rite of passage for creatives online. At first I was annoyed, then I learned to laugh it off. These days, I usually report and move on, because wasting energy on them just steals focus from the real work.
When it comes to actual producers or industry people reaching out, I think the key is to stay professional but cautious: check their credits, confirm their email/agency, and don’t be afraid to politely ask for more details about the project. The real ones will respect that.
It’s a tricky balance, but I’d rather take an extra step to verify than miss out on a genuine opportunity.
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Oh yes — I had the honor of being approached by "the greatest producer of all time" just recently.