sundaymail
Don't knocker: Jade was Goody at cashing in REALITY TV shows turn contestants into stars - but how do you get to appear on them?
With people such as Jade Goody making millions after Big Brother, the clamour to get on board has never been louder.
Companies offering information about shows and auditions are tuning into the demand from young people desperate to make their first step in the fame game.
But some charge a fortune to give you no more than you could find on a channel website. JULIA HUNT examines four firms and sees whether they could help you become famous - or are just ripping you off
COMPANY: Stars 4 Reality TV. Latest auditions 0906 5079672, or
http://www.stars4realitytv.com Idea: The latest audition dates and contestant hotlines for reality TV programmes, Game shows and media jobs
COST: Premium-rate phone call at £1.50 a minute lasts eight minutes, therefore £12 to get address for their 'free' website
CLAIMS: Fancy being on stage with Jamie Cullum, taking part in open trials for Chelsea or going into the Big Brother house to meet all the contestants? The phone message promises details for BBC, ITV and Channel 4 shows plus miscellaneous items like a BBC TV presenter job. The website claims to have up to 400 reality TV shows 'looking for people like you
RESULT: Up to 20 shows like The Weakest Link and A Place In The Sun are mentioned.
Almost all details could have been found free by looking at the BBC, ITV or C4 websites.
Website
http://www.stars4realitytv.com lists 41 shows (hardly 400).
The site claims to be updated daily but some of the offers were more than a week out of date.
None of the listings is placed by the TV companies
VERDICT: The company claims it is not an agency, as it simply provides information in the public domain. That's true - but anyone would be a fool to pay anything like £12 to get it
COMPANY: Be on screen.
http://www.beonscreen.com Idea: The latest offers from TV researchers looking for people to take part in new reality shows and documentaries. Plus tickets for shows
COST: TV firms' ads can be viewed free. A £19.99 or £29.99 membership gives you extras such as being able to send a photo
CLAIMS: 'Be on screen - your ticket to appearing on television shows'. Search through TV show casting calls, find a job in TV and entertainment and receive email alerts of new shows
RESULT: New entries every day for shows across all networks. Lots of offers, some even specifying money - like, 'Get your kit off for £5 and earn £100.' You could apply for quiz shows, reality, documentaries, tickets for the National Lottery show and Jerry Springer or to be an extra. Items included a search for the next Jamie Oliver. Adverts placed on the site by major British TV companies are a good sign it is trustworthy
VERDICT: Be on Screen has lots of things you would never normally find out about. Plenty of new shows from independent companies mean you have more chance than with the average audition
COMPANY: Star Now.
http://www.starnow.co.uk Idea: Listings from TV shows, producers and researchers looking for contestants and subjects for reality TV, quiz shows and other TV or film projects
COST: Free to advertise, browse listings or register but you have to pay £9.99 a month to apply for roles. No commission on earnings
CLAIMS: 'We have ads from producers and agencies seeking talent from around the world. Sign up to apply for roles in TV, movies, modelling and more!'
Star Now send contact details and pictures of applicants to the TV companies who can then get in touch if you seem suitable
RESULT: Good selection of roles - reality shows, modelling jobs and extras.
Interesting items included calls for spendaholics for a new BBC show, a new series of ITV's Poor Little Rich Girls, an ad for actors for a profit-share production of The Tempest, Elvis lookalikes for a fashion shoot and unpaid extras for a film scene on a bus.
Most of the projects won't pay but look like a fun experience
VERDICT: Many listings give enough information so, if you were prepared to make a few calls, you could contact the TV firm directly rather than spending nearly £10 a month for someone else to do it
COMPANY: Enveniowww.envenio.com 020 7534 5757. Idea: This is a searchable database for anyone in film, advertising, TV or music looking for locations, props, models and extras
COST: Clients (TV companies) search the site free. Contributors, (the people who want to take part in projects) pay £35-£75
CLAIMS: Envenio are used by more than 4000 clients in TV production, advertising, photographic production, publishing, music and film. It brings the whole industry together in one huge, quick, searchable database. Acknowledged by the UK Government and used by the biggest clients in the business
RESULT: A sophisticated site where you can advertise yourself in the most appropriate way, with sections for TV or film extras, models, actors, voiceovers plus street casting.
The New Faces section is the most appropriate for wannabes. You get your own page on the website for £75 and, if you go into their London office, they will even take the photographs for you. You can display a film clip for an extra £50 - which they will film, too
VERDICT: A professional agency with big clients. They state work is not guaranteed as it depends what companies are looking for. But website testimonies, with pictures of real people, sound positive
