Advanced Fee via check from same city?

Im not sure if this belongs in employment or advanced fee but here goes:
I applied to a modeling gig on line and was booked for the job. Upon further conversations I was told the studio had to be paid for with a check sent to myself. I was to remove my partial advanced fee payment and send the rest to the studio owner via western union. I wondered why the person writing couldnt cash it himself but figured maybe hes not valid to work here?(USA) (happens quite a bit in the arts)
Anywho, the weird thing is that the person im to send the money to is literally 30 minutes from where i live. How could this be a scam if their address is so local to mine?
Further info-Once i book the studio the job will be confirmed in two days. The check will be arriving today via courier-I have not received it yet. What should I do when it does?

Thanks!

It's a scam. the person nearby is a mule. he/she may be an accomplice but is likely another victim who thinks he is working for an overseas company. this does happen from time to time. I one had a credit card scammer who tried to use a phished credit card belonging to my best friend's neighbor!

do not cash the check--destroy it or write fake in large permanent marker or give it to the authorities.