Personals Personal

Good morning. Happy fall. It's October 22, 2026 and it's raining in the Southland.

I have a cautionary tale today, one from which I hope you can learn even if you're not in entertainment.

A couple weeks ago I received a message through the platform ACX. ACX is an audiobook and voice over clearinghouse where I have found work before. A trusted site, you could say. The message asked if I was interested in recording a commercial spot for overcoming anxiety. Naturally I said yes.

The producers sent me instructions and a script. They also said they'd pay me handsomely for such a short piece. Hmmm. That's unusual. But, it paid handsomely so I plowed forward just in case.

The offer sheet was quirky too. It said the project, the role I was playing, the usage information but declined any production information. Another flag. Still, I plowed ahead.

As an important ingredient to this whole saga, I spent a long time longing to join SAG (the actor's union - now SAGAFTRA). When I finally had the goods to I bought whole heartedly into the first rule: Do no non-union work. So, I asked if it was union. My contacts said, "Yes."

As I mentioned, this came through ACX which has an agreement with SAGAFTRA, so I convinced myself it was probably legit. But, my contacts, markscott4292@gmail.com and anthonybrayden49@gmail.com asked for some strangely unnecessary and personal information. That flag I couldn't ignore. But, like I said, it paid handsomely.

So, I reached out to my union to see if this deal was square. Unfortunately, my due date was quick and the union was slow. So, I leaned into "ACX has a deal with the union. I worked through them before. It's probably okay" and recorded the spot.

When I submitted the material markscott said it was great. No need to fix anything. Yet another flag. They had two retakes in the contract and didn't use either. I'd like to believe I'm that good, but am I?

Here's where it got kooky. They asked for age, location and some other stuff I didn't feel comfortable sending electronically. So, I referred them to my manager. She was great. Stepped right in. markscott and anthonybrayden refused to work with her, complaining they didn't know her, they knew me. All I had to do was give them the info and they'd pay me.

I think you see where this is going. My manager did everything she could to get them to cooperate, but she hit a brick wall.

Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place - reached out to ACX. After another day of back and forth with markscott, ACX got back to me and said they had no record of mark or anthony or their project.

With that information in hand I knew I'd been duped. Naturally, I changed all my financial passwords and protected against stupid AI impersonations and the issue died. After that, I got word from the union they had no record of mark or anthony or their project either. (Hey, what can you expect? They're all volunteers over there).

All this to say, watch out. If you're in the entertanment industry, specifically voice over, and you see something from markscott4292@gmail.com or anthonybrayden49@gmail.com, run! Straight to the police, or your union or ACX or someone. But DO NOT give them the information they want.

Hopefully you all have great representation like me who will stand shoulder to shoulder with you, but even if you don't, don't be fooled. Keep your personals personal.

I think I'll call this entry good. Next time I'll talk about movement in the career, if any. At the least I can feel good about doing. It's always good to feel creative and that reward doesn't depend on anyone else.

Be blessed. Resist when you must (fiftyfifty.one) and have fun.