**New resources added**
Here is a list of resources for the photographer, model or actor working in Ontario, Canada primarily in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Please note that this list of resources is not exhaustive. I am not a lawyer and any information given is not to be taken as legal advice. Caveat lector.

In Ontario the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 (online at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statut … 2c30_e.htm) governs some of the services which may be offered by, or in connection with, a model/talent agency or a photographer. These services are defined by the Act as:

"personal development services" means,
(a) services provided for,
(ii) modelling and talent, including photo shoots relating to modelling and talent, or matters of a similar nature.

Here is the law governing contracts for personal development services (defined above) in Ontario http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/e … e.htm#BK44; note what must be included in any contract which is offered to you. If you have any problems or concerns contact the Ontario Ministry of Government Services at http://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/pages/default.aspx, Consumer Protection. Retain all contracts, documents, receipts and invoices so that you can forward copies to the investigators. Search the  Consumer Beware database at http://www.consumerbeware.mgs.gov.on.ca/catsct/start.do for the names of companies or individuals charged by the Ministry. Legal advice for actors and other artists in Ontario is available from ALAS (Artists' Legal Advice Services) Ontario http://alasontario.com/

IF AN AGENCY REPRESENTS OR MANAGES TALENT in addition to models, then check ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) Toronto's website at http://www.actratoronto.com/ for agencies that ACTRA will not send cheques to (see Agent & Industry No Cheque Policy at http://www.actratoronto.com/perform/NOchequelist.html ). If ACTRA will not send performers' cheques through the agency you should ask why. Does the agency advertise for talent in help wanted newspapers or other media? With a few minor exceptions, it is against Canadian talent agent ethics to run help wanted ads looking for talent. See the Code of Ethical Conduct for agents at http://www.actratoronto.com/downloads/E … ethics.pdf (note that this is a voluntary code). If someone has told you that you can make money by  performing in commercials read AMIS "Commercials" at http://www.amisontario.com/comm.php

If you're an actor, pick up a copy of The Agent's Book published by A.M.I.S. and Theatre Ontario (see http://www.amisontario.com/book.php). You can get this from Theatre Books http://www.theatrebooks.com/ in Toronto (short walk from the Bay subway station).

If you're a photographer doing TFP or TFCD with a model, be aware that you might be granting that model copyright ownership in the images that you've taken unless you have an agreement stating otherwise. In the case of Paul Couvrette Photographs v. The Ottawa Citizen et al. the photographer approached a modeling agency with an offer to photograph models for his portfolio in exchange for prints. He took photos of one of their models and sued when a newspaper used one of the images without his permission. The court found:

In the absence of agreement to the contrary, the whole bundle of rights (to use the expression of counsel for the defendant), classed as "copyright rights" are reserved to the person who ordered and paid valuable consideration for the original. The consideration was in the form of waiver of the model's normal fee of $60 to $70 per hour. (this case is not available online, see Paul Couvrette Photographs v. The Ottawa Citizen et al.(1985), 7 C.P.R. (3d) 552 (Ont. Prov. Ct.). The relevant paragraph in Canadian copyright legislation is Ownership of Copyright: Engraving, photograph or portrait)

You can bring a copyright or moral rights case to Small Claims Court in Canada; see Don Hammond Photography Ltd. v. The Consignment Studio Inc., 2008 at http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abpc/doc/20 … abpc9.html

Photographers in Canada retain moral rights in the images. Be aware that moral rights are not absolute but are subjective and depend upon the artist's reputation, style and trade practices. See Ritchie v. Sawmill Creek Golf & Country Club Ltd., 2003 http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/20 … 24511.html

Both models and photographers should have a basic understanding of model releases and licenses (usage agreements).

For photographers see the ASMP tutorial on property and model releases (this is a U.S. perspective on releases; Canada is similar). Here is a Canadian model agreement (notice the inclusion of the copyright paragraph [3], most likely as a result of the  Paul Couvrette Photographs v. The Ottawa Citizen et al.(1985) case). Here is a tutorial on licensing rights in the image (again, this is from a U.S. perspective). Here is a Canadian digital photographic production and license agreement. For licensing terms see Picture Licensing Universal System (PLUS) endorsed by many leading photographer's organizations including some Canadian. Here is the Canadian Intellectual Property Office - Copyrights

For models read model's releases and usage licenses. While both of these articles explain the situation very well, be aware that both are written from a U.S. perspective and things may be slightly different in Canada. If you're a model and you're paying for the photo shoot or it is TF (Time For Prints/CD) you should get a usage license with your images. Many photo labs are concerned about copyright and may refuse to print images unless they're assured that the model has permission from the copyright holder.

You can check out Canadian businesses online at the Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org/canada/Find-Business-Reviews/. You should also Google the telephone number or address (and the name as well) of any agency you're interested in. Check out previous addresses and phone numbers as well. If you're asking a question concerning a particular agency, put the name and location of the agency into the title of your thread. Include in your post any information you already have such as the agency website, how they contacted you and what they said.

Don't blindly accept the word of talent or models who claim to have had dealings with an agency; verify the information where possible. Given that the great percentage of those going to open calls at large, well-known agencies are turned down, some may be bitter and vocal about the experience. At the same time, be cautious of those who paint a rosy picture of an agency. While what they say may be perfectly true, the post may have been written by a naif or, worse, a shill. In general, be cautious of those who have only one or two posts to their credit and write a fluff piece about an agency, and/or appear to have insider knowledge concerning a specific agency but portray themselves as an innocent. Learn how an agency actually works at http://www.newmodels.com and find out more about the Canadian market at http://www.modelresource.ca/Model101/model101.shtml. If you're from outside of Ontario or Canada, be aware that there are nearly six million people in the Greater Toronto Area; are you so special that a Toronto agency can't find someone like you nearby? Those coming to Canada to work must do so in accordance with Canadian law. Here is a summary for models and other performers from the Canadian government website.

Great information
Thank you

Thanks Barry  for this very useful info

Thanks so much!

Thanks for the support. Here is some additional information.

ACTORS: See Casting Workbook and AAction Casting for casting, auditions and open calls. If you're looking for an agent, download this List of EIC Agents from ACTRA Toronto. The agents on this list are members of the Entertainment Industry Coalition, a self-regulating group with a code of ethics for talent and modeling agencies. The list tells you what each of the agents specializes in and complete contact information. The list is in a printable PDF file. Could it be any easier to find a good agent? You should also pick up the Agents Book from Theatre Books in Toronto. This small bookstore specializes in books for actors and related professionals. If you are truly interested in a career in acting you must visit this bookstore.

MODELS: When doing a web search for information about a model agency use Google to search the:

• name of the agency. Try variations of the name (i.e. models, model management, models and talent)
• address (include street address, suite number and city), both current and previous
• telephone number (include area code), both current and previous
• fax number (include area code)
• name(s) of agents/agency owners

and use the Sendu Search to search Model Mayhem forums. Doing a simple search is fast and you may be surprised with what turns up.

IF YOU'RE MAKING A NEW THREAD ABOUT A MODEL AGENCY search model mayhem first to see if there are existing threads about that agency. If you need to make a new thread please put the name of the agency AND the location (city or town) in the thread title. In the actual post include a link to the agency's website if you have it. You'll get much more useful information concerning THAT agency. Threads with titles like "Is this a good agency" will only get you random, vague answers.

Actors: Below are listed, in no particular order, courses and other training available in the Toronto area. Part-time study, full-time study, diploma courses, undergraduate and graduate degrees, even individual classes as low as $5. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list.

Hart House Theatre at the University of Toronto Workshops and classes in theatre, film making and photography.

Faculty of Fine Arts, York University Theatre, dance, film, music. Undergraduate and graduate degrees offered. There may be some part-time/continuing education courses.

The Second City Toronto Training Center Training in improv and more for as low as $5 per class (August 2010 price, Drop In Improv class).

Ryerson University Theatre School Acting, dance and production. There are some courses offered on a part-time basis and there is the Act II Studio for actors over 50.

George Brown Theatre School offers a three-year diploma program. The school is located in the Distillery District of Toronto.

Toronto Association of Acting Studios (TAAS) An independent association of acting studios in the Toronto area.

Photographers, actors, artists: "Canada Arts Connect is where Canadian Artists, Writers, Musicians, Photographers, Actors, Dancers, Designers, (and all other arts professionals) connect with jobs, opportunities, resources, and each other." Here is an excellent article from this website What to AVOID and WATCH OUT For in Job Listings

Models: Canadian Actor Online - Models FAQ Answers to questions like "I want to model and act. Should I have two different agents?" and "I am a 5'5 petite girl. Do I have a realistic shot at modelling?" and more.

Very, very good.

But you know the old story of a horse and water.

However for anybody who wants to know and not just believe whatever pretty phrases they are told, this is excellent.

Copy right is another major issue and there are many threads on it, and Canadian Copyright law is in the process of being changed.

I'm a new photographer just begun and I offer copyright free TFCDas it  should be . If beleive if they are makeing money off your work to sell . thier products i think they can pay for your services  if its just a client wanting photos for personel use i dont think i copyright it . i'm new what do i know

Amazing Thanks so very much

Interesting....gonna re-read it in the first thing in the morning.

This is very helpful.