Anyone here work in tv production? Discovery channel reached out to me.

My first rule of being an adult.

Do not buy or sign any contract with anyone that calls me, sends me an email, sends me a letter or shows up at my door with any kind of pitch.

Local school fund raisers and Girl Scout cookies are my only exception.

If I want any kind of product or service, I will go looking for it myself.

As for this request from the Discovery Channel, I would pass immediately. If you feel it is worth the effort, make sure you are able to meet with personally and speak with the person in charge. Otherwise, nope!

 

I get why everyone here is suspicious. This is how we operate in the film industry. You get random sometimes unexpected calls for work. This is no different for a location rental. The request for a w9 is normal, they have to pay you out and it has to be done legally. No under the table payments, or then you’re talking shady. All the info you pointed out seems legit enough for me to take the work.

 

Have someone in the legal profession review all correspondence. Never trust Hollyweird.

 

Is this your house? lol.

 

The only thing I have to add is the "time sensitive" phrase is a red flag in my book. We recently have been undergoing a lot of those dumb work place training videos on phishing attempts. Thats a big one people use to get you to give up info you may not have normally.

Personally I would hard pass. But if this interests you at all, you could at least try pushing them out a few months. See what their response is.

 

Lol Amityville huh?..



But seriously no, I'm in socal.

 

Here's an update.

 

I like your thinking. These new yorkers are pushy man..

 

Good to know, thanks! Now their saying I don't need to put my social down on the W9.

 

Guys, why are you convincing him to pass on this deal? He said the funds will go toward truck mods. Tell me a new set of Fox 2.5 coilovers, Rigid Industries led lights, and a gasshole gas cap holder aren't worth the trouble?

 

All I can think of here is a Tv show called “the real hustle. “

Can’t find the episode on YouTube ATM.

Anyway: film crew knocks on door, asks to rent vehicle for film shoot drive by on camera, gives the page one of real rental agreement on clipboard. Gets guy to sign on Page two. Page two is bill of sale sign over of vehicle.
Lol

 

I have mesos gasshole already but new shiny icons and sliders would be nice

 

Does the business make any effort to meet the person and show credentials, and put a face with the offer?

If they really want to use the location, you would think that they would use better ways of communication to eliminate the sketchy vibe.

 

The only way to know for sure is call discovery channel corporate office yourself and ask if this person works for them. Otherwise, at least 50/50 it’s a scam. Maybe 70/30.

 

Let's put it this way, if you put your house's history on TV, there's a good chance it will end up on the net. Most likely in the form of a YouTube clip and where there are comments, there inevitably is going to be a person that says, "I know this house, it's on my street, etc." and you will be found. If you're concerned about privacy, this is counterproductive.

 

The original contact person should have given him a legit phone number to call to talk to somebody, and be able to set up a face to face meeting over coffee somewhere local to him.

 

Yep!

 

True but with all due respect I'm not trying to help people know where I live by listing the incident here on TW. If you really wanted to find it, you could. Honestly, it's beyond the point. I was just trying to seek advice in unfamiliar territory and make an educated decision. My apologies to those who can't see past that..

 

I've been watching this thread all day. I'm 50/50 with a yes or no. Lots of good points made. I couldn't live in a house knowing it had an unpleasant past or history. I say go with your gut decision. Mine's usually pretty accurate unless I'm hungry.