How do UK guys make it in LA?

[Peter]

Please remember that the US don't have an "everyone welcome, here's a free house and some scrounger money" policy like the UK, they actually care about who enters and for what reason.

Therefore, if you try to enter the country to work without the proper visa (I believe an "O" visa is required for models) or try to sneak through on the tourist waiver programme, you could find yourself refused entry and barred from re-entering for 5 years, or even forever.

there are several models who have tried the "who's going to find out?" route and got caught, so beware.

[Bicycle Bum]

Here's a link to that O-1 Visa on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-1_visa

It says:

The O-1 classification is a type of employment visa under United States immigration law that applies to aliens who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and who are coming temporarily to the U.S. to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability.

You need to provide evidence of your ability to get an O-1.

Clearly HC performers don't come under this, especially since no authority would welcome an alien who's into HC performance.

I'm thinking most must come to LA on a 3 month tourist visa, and get paid cash in hand. Then leave the country for a while then come back again as a tourist.

I could be wrong about this, but no authority would grant an employment visa if it was going to be used to do porn.

[Dave Wells]

Correct !

[one eyed jack]

Prepare to tread the murky waters of porn. LOL

If you want to make an omelette you wil have to crack a few eggs. And Peters right, The US doesnt welcome just anyone. If you are crap on yiour first job you might as well get out quick because your name is already mud

No one likes to lose money on a shoot.

[Peter]

Bicycle Bum wrote:


>
> I could be wrong about this, but no authority would grant an
> employment visa if it was going to be used to do porn.

The basics of it would involve you and your sponsor (employer) having to prove that you weren't taking work away from a US citizen, that there wasn't an American capable of performing the work you were intending to do. Clearly, that would be virtually impossible.

The latest series of US Border Patrol on Nat Geo channel (I think) shows several porn stars, strippers and a belly dancer being refused entry as the contents of their bags didn't match their supposed tourist intentions.

[Holly D]

Not true. Most of the companies, that I have spoken to atleast, have said its common practice over there to get paid by cheque (or check as they yanks would spell it) and not cash in hand. So a proper work visa is needed. Also, once in the states, you need to get a US ID processed which I have been told it is best to go somewhere like Hawaii to do this. Derek from LA Direct has told me that on you could be in LA for 2 weeks sorting your paper work and unable to work, all at your own expense ofcourse.

[Peter]

Holly D wrote:

> Not true. Most of the companies, that I have spoken to atleast,
> have said its common practice over there to get paid by cheque
> (or check as they yanks would spell it) and not cash in hand.


And many have a cheque cashing service for when you want cash (for a suitable, loan shark sized percentage, of course!)

[Marino]

When I first worked in the U.S I was treated fairly poorly until I proved myself. I remember my first scene was crawling on my knees like a dog with a lump of raw steak in my mouth whilst all the established U.S studs watched on hoping to put me off. I did my job and went from strength to strength.
Even spent three weeks living in a converted shed in REB's the old agent long before established agents were on the scene. It was like something out of Boogie nights back then. And had a cute black chick to fuck every night.
And a long time before viagra.

[paul jones]

Holly D is right - although details keep changing as to what I am told the paperwork situation is - you do need to be able to support yourself for at least two weeks to get it together.

You CAN work during that time but you will not get paid until go back to them with all the paperwork.

Also, being businesses, many will pay on cycles - maybe only once a month, so make sure you know when you can expect any money to be paid across.

Also, they are very anally and extreme oriented. LA isn't a place for models with limits.