Paranoia is Rampant in This Business for a Reason

I can't believe I saw this ad on Craig's List (NYC Talent Gigs, to be precise). You have to see it to believe it:

"Movie industry and music industry contact list
Date: 2010-01-29, 8:12PM EST
Reply to: gigs-rb3p5-1577190154@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I have a industry direct contact list for movie directors,agents,managers,music executives, entertainment lawyers, radio stations,producers,program directors, and much more. These are persons direct numbers, addresse, and emails. I have hundreds of contacts! for more info! contact 9173061644. The list price ranges from 50-250$, depending on what information is wanted.

* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
* Compensation: no pay

PostingID: 1577190154"

Okay, ground rules in this industry are the same as they are in real life: you don't go around giving out people's phone numbers, personal e-mail, etc. Confidentiality is KING!

There's a reason executives, program directors, agents & various big shots don't want you having their personal lines; they get harassed ALL the DAMN time!!!!!! I'm very aware of the possibility of it happening to me in the future since people I've worked w/have had this happen. Maybe not on the scale of mega stars & execs but they definitely have stories to tell. Since I know I'm going to have to deal w/this sooner or later, I'm far more respectful of people's time & not pestering them in this way. You ONLY talk to people that know reliable contacts of yours; you DO NOT try to do an end road by buying names from some scumbag.

If someone gives YOU their info, it means that they trust you enough to have it. Meaning you aren't going to go off & sell it to random strangers. We call people like this "scum", traitors, assholes, etc.

You'd have to do something truly awful to me before I'd do that to you. Otherwise, you'll be prying my list from my cold, dead fingers or stealing it in some way. That's violating a sacred trust. Profiting off it is the worst betrayal of that trust.

If someone did it to me, I'd either kill them physically, mentally or spiritually by making damn sure they paid dearly for it in reputation. People like this deserve harm to come upon them & in all honesty, I would volunteer to help in the lynching campaign.