Screenwriting : Spam emails/profiles? by Mike Randazzese

Hi, Mike Randazzese. One way to spot a fake 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, 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 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. 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.

You can also use these things to spot a scam account sometimes.

Fake big celebrity accounts pop up from time to time.

If anyone sees a fake profile, scam profile, or suspicious profile 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.

Thanks! Yeah it's a tough one because someone friend requested me the other day, and then sent me an email. His credits are pretty impressive. It's also a new profile, but there is a photo. The ones who ended up getting suspended also had photos, though. It's strange.

I appreciate the response! Thanks

You're welcome, Mike Randazzese. It can be tough telling the fakes from the real. When in doubt, set up a Zoom meeting (or a different video conference service).

Due to the many fake accounts here, please mail me a photo of your passport.

Haha good one.

Mike, you’re exhibiting classic signs of paranoia. And this is a good thing, it may indicate that you are in touch with the unconscious or you’re just basically paranoid, two indicators that your chosen profession (writer) and genre (horror) will serve you well when you get the tips to navigate this place. I look forward at peeking at your posted stuff.

LOL I mean you're not wrong. I just never really interact with anybody on here. this back and forth is pretty much the first time. So I don't really know what people experience on here as far as networking goes. What to watch out for, etc...

What's weird is that I thought what I'm talking about is common, but it seems like it isn't lol. Or maybe I have been contacted by legitimate people who just do the typical Hollywood "ghosting" thing after talking you for a bit.

Mike, as a fellow-paranoid writer I'm fascinated with your post and the comments and concerns people share.

For context purposes, this is one of the guys who messaged me in the past. Seemed legit. Went back and forth on messages here, but once I started emailing him, I didn't hear back and his account is deleted, others would show that it's suspended. There have been two other people like that since, and then another person messaged me a few days ago.

One, glad you're stepping out, Mike Randazzese. You'll probably get a hell of a lot more traction by being active and shooting out network requests. Two, we have over 1.3 million people here. There are bound to be some fake accounts. As always, if you see anything shady, never hesitate to send it to the Support Team at support@stage32.com

Mike Randazzese I also got duped once here by someone who looked legit. I even was wary and researched them, found their IMDB page, etc. Seemed straight up. So I sent them my screenplay and then they asked for several thousand dollars to produced it for me. I reported them and they were removed from Stage 32. It happens. I'm more cautious now. But I don't have an answer as to how to spot the fakes and grifters. Be cautious. Copyright your work. Work on building relationships on Stage 32 you trust. And if it's too good to be true, it is. But, I don't think this is a Stage 32 problem, it's really a more broad industry problem that's been around since the beginning of the movies. Mostly folks are good and trustworthy but there's always going to be scammers and the unscrupulous wherever you go. And when you do spot someone truly suspicious here, report them. Stage 32 will investigate.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Tucker Teague. As I mentioned, there are 1.3 million profiles and we have a team of 20+. We try to catch it all, but we count on this remarkable community to help us police the platform and they have for 14 years. For that, I couldn't be more grateful. Again, if you see something, say something by emailing the Support Team at support@stage32.com

And believe me Stage32 gets rid off the fake accounts! I was in the same position. I emailed Stage32 and two accounts was banned.

I really appreciate the responses! Thanks, everyone. It's tough because on other platforms, I feel like it's easier to spot. On here, it's a little more difficult. Like I mentioned, one of them was actually legit and I actually did a couple of screenplays for them. Even that somewhat looked like spam at first. So that's where I'm hesitating LOL.

I don't want to report someone's profile if they are indeed legit, and maybe just have a copy and paste message they sent to everybody for the purpose of networking? You know? I'm also an actor, and have been on many film sets so I also know the industry is pretty cut, dry, straight and to the point about pretty much everything. Almost robotic in some cases.

But yeah, I'm definitely getting out there more to network. I really want to get at least one of my screenplays made one day. I do have a lot, but pretty Durr when it comes to networking lol. As a 26 year musician, that type of networking is easy for me. This? Absolutely not for some reason LOL.

Stage 32 has blogs on networking that could help you out, Mike Randazzese. www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

Thanks for sharing, Alicia Vaughan!

Good luck! Mike Randazzese I'm open to networking. I'm newer myself and working on my first screenplay, currently doing the rewrite. It's a psychological based thriller.

I notice in the screenshot that Michael R posted, the person in question did not say anything specific about Michael’s work. It’s vague enough that he could post it to dozens of people at once if he was fishing for responses. So in that case, ask a follow-up question like “which of my loglines do you find interesting and what do you like about it?” A real person should have a good answer.

That's a good point, Mike!

I figured I'd take this opportunity to share a link to one of my loglines/screenplays. It's the pilot episode to a horror series called RAINDROP'S EYE. Episode 2 is on my page, as well. Thanks again, everyone!

https://www.stage32.com/loglines/58492