Want to Be a Star? Hire Paparazzi!

Want to be star -- or just make everyone think you are? One company's rent-a-paparazzi program helps to make you look like an A-lister in a town chock full of celebrities.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

Seriously?

Topics

Seriously?

People

Adam Swart

Places

United States of America, Los Angeles

Companies

Crowds on Demand

Transcript

SCRIPT: Ever dreamed of being a star? Well, you don't need an Oscar to feel like one. Just hire your very own entourage -- from fake paparazzi to adoring fans. SOUNDBITE 1 Adam Swart (man), Founder and CEO, Crowds on Demand (English, 9 sec): "All of our packages are tailored towards people who aren't currently A listers. We provide security, paparazzi, an entourage and, of course, crowds of cheering fans." Adam Swart is the founder of Crowds on Demand, an LA-based company that provides customers the ultimate celebrity experience. He says his business attracts people from all walks of life. SOUNDBITE 2 Adam Swart (man), Founder and CEO, Crowds on Demand (English, 13 sec): "We really have a very diverse range of clients -- anything from high-end tourists // to people who aren't A-listers for sure, but who want to be better known and want to get a little hype for their brand." The company can hire up to 100 actors to play the fans and professional photographers -- with real cameras -- pose as paparazzi. But fame comes at a price: from $3,000 for your own group of fans to more than 10,000 for an elaborate A-list experience. It's the business of make believe -- in a city that thrives on it. --------------- SHOTLIST: LOS ANGELES, FEBRUARY 6, 2013, SOURCE: AFP - Two actors portraying clients "Jack" and "Julie," a couple, walk down a street in Beverly Hills followed by actors supplied by Crowds On Demand playing the roles of photographers, fans and curious passersby. - actors stop and kiss in front of a Beverly Hills store as "entourage" and "fans" watch and take their photo and talk to them LOS ANGELES, FEBRUARY 18, 2013, SOURCE: AFP - SOUNDBITE 1 Adam Swart - VAR of Adam Swart using his computer poolise - SOUNDBITE 2 Adam Swart LOS ANGELES, FEBRUARY 6, 2013, SOURCE: AFP - VAR of the two actors signing autographs, talking to "fans" - real passersby taking photos with and of the actors - VAR of onlookers as actors pass by