"MC"

While this isn't necessarily the typical scam, it does bring up something to be on the look out for, which would be out of pocket expenses. If you don't know the people you're working with and they want you to make out of pocket expenses, I'd be a little wary, particularly if you apply for something that's a specialty (makeup artist), and they want you to do something that has nothing to do with it. If anything, this story should show you certain warning signs to look at. If anyone has had dealings with "MC" and knows who this guy is, I'd be glad to hear from you.

Unfortunately I do not have much information on the person. But I do know the name he goes by and what he looks like. He's a producer. He isn't difficult to recognize. His name is MC and he is a black male. He has a very heavy accent. Here is my story. I am a makup artist and was applying on craigslist for makeup jobs. I found this one makeup job,it was a low budget movie and it was a three day shoot. Location was in the Hollywood area. I decided to reply to the makeup job.
About a week went by,and I got no response. Another week went by and I recieved a phone call. MC said that he needed a makeup artist asap.He also roughly explained the movie. He said the director was a English lady and is coming from England for three days. He asked me if I can come to the production meeting the next day. I said sure...(but at the same time,at the back of my head I was wonderiing why he took so long to respond )I had my suspicions.
I went the next day,I spent the last three dollars I had on the bus(I was real broke that week) and I went in the building. When I went in I noticed there weren't alot of people in the place. Just maybe about 4 people. Anyway I went in the room,I introduced myself well and everything was ok. MC and the English director started talking about what kind of movie it is etc. Then they started talking about what they needed from me. They started naming costumes they needed and props etc. They wanted me (a makeup artist) to go out that same day and buy the items out of my own pocket! I then said I don't have money on me at this time. Then they said I can just go and find the props and costumes for them and give him a call. Then they will pay out of there own credit card for the custumes etc. I then noticed how they didn't bring up the topic about the makeup. So I of course brought it up. When I brought the makeup topic up,MC automatically said...oh we will talk about that another time.....He also said that he had a makeup artist. I am thinking that they needed two makeup artists and some extra help. I decided to be nice so I agreed to help.
After the meeting was over..I thought about everything and I then realized that they didn't want me there as a makeup artist. They wanted me there as a wardobe/prop master. If they had wanted me there to be a makeup artist. They would have talked about the makeup they are in need of at the meeting. That's what those meetings are for. They are for the crew to show up and talk about what they are going to do. It was one of the most offensive experiences I have encountered. They obviously couldn't get a wardobe person and wanted someone random to do it. I am a makeup artist...not a wardobe person! So..I left and never contacted them again.