I am writing this post to warn all my fellow t shirt designers about a scam that's going around. I recently received an email through my website http://www.ichabods.com from some guy in Minneapolis, MN who started telling me how great my t shirts are and that he wants to use them in his next film. Now, this is of course a great weakness for any designer as we all know. To be contacted out of the blue by the wardrobe dept of a blockbuster film is like winning the lottery to most independent designers, and sadly, the odds of this happening are about as great. Now, you may get a couple of emails (a day) from Nigerian nationals trying to trade money orders with you, or use a stolen credit card to purchase over $10,000 worth of merch, but rarely does Hollywood come calling unless you pay for it, know someone, or have REALLY REALLY good karma :)

I did not fall for this scam, but if I would have the address the guy gave me to send the t shirts to is:
Bill Farley (aka Will Skrivseth)
630 4th Ave. SE
Suite #9
Minneapolis, MN 55414

This guy is a total idiot! I am including copies of 2 emails that he sent me trying to convince me to send him free merch which I could use as a tax write off. Isn't that mail or tax fraud! If there is anyone in Minneapolis who can find this guy and send me a picture of him that would be great. I'd love to see what a real loser looks like. Unlike this guy, (who by his wish list must wear a size small) I am 6 ft 7 and got my nickname Ichabod for a reason. "Hey Bill, how'd you like to meet up sometime?"

I don't know how many other people have fallen for this scam, but the only other report I found about him was here http://http://plopculture.blogspot.com/2007/05/worlds-stupidest-con-man.html

It's from 2007 and he was trying to con one of Hollywood's well known PR guys who runs Plopculture. When I did a google search for Justin Chatwin and a movie called Dead End Streets I found that old story and realized this is total BS!

A lot of you might be at Magic this week so don't get caught off guard and think this is one more great lead for you, IT'S A SCAM!

The following are our email exchanges in order.

FEB 8 2008 5:36 pm
from the email address rapix.marketing@yahoo.com

Hello, my name is Bill Farley and I am writing in
regards to a product placement inquiry for Ichabods.
I am a wardrobe rep. for a film called Dead
End Streets. I am outfitting wardrobe for the film,
and wanted to see if Ichabods would be
interested in potential involvement. We can offer
compensation in several different forms of
promotion,besides available tax write offs. We offer
professional quality stills provided in a press kit.
You would be looking at all
merch on loan. We are looking at outfitting actor
Justin Chatwin (War Of the Worlds, The Invisible,
Weeds). You
would be looking at around 6-8 pieces. We are
attempting to find several creative outlets for
wardrobe and were hoping you would possibly be
interested. I can get a treatment/synopsis your
direction right away. If you could drop me a line that
would be great. -thanks

Bill Farley
Lionsgate/Rapix Marketing

MY RESPONSE to him

Hi Bill,

We'd be interested in working with you. Please tell me more about shooting
schedule, etc. and a bit about the character you are looking to outfit. We
can either do custom pieces to fit the feel of certain scenes or you can
make a list of what you need from our current stock on the website
Ichabods.com

I did a Google search for Rapix Marketing and did not find anything. Do
you have a myspace or website with info? Thanks

Chris

HIS RESPONSE:

Hello, Thanks for getting back to me. Here is a brief
treatment of the film. Dead End Streets is a dark and
gritty film, taking place in the upper midwest.
The Premise of the film is about a young adult who
ventures into the world of the drug underground. After
an accident, (actor Justin Chatwin) seeks closure in
the unresolved death of his Father. What he finds
leeds him into a crime drama like no other. A power
struggle of how to deal with a newly discovered
secret, and right and wrong. This gentlemen finds
himself head over heels in a world of crime,
gambling,with nowhere to turn. As for where in the
film Ichabods would be used, we where thinking in
around 17-19 scenes. The leading role (Justin Chatwin)
is a charismatic, cocky swagger.

Att: Bill Farley
630 4th Ave. SE
Suite #9
Minneapolis, MN 55414

I just wanted to give you guys a heads up. Seems there is a new con every week, but this actually affects our industry so spread the word. If there is no info on someone when you do a google search, then they aren't legit!