xposted....John Robert Powers?

[Zoemakes5]

Was wondering if anyone had personal experience with them. Have heard some amazingly good and some "scams". The scams that are being referred to seem to be more about what the "talent's" and their parent's expectations are, not so much the program itself. So, I was wondering if anyone had done it and what they thought.

Thanks!

 

[LSUmom4kids]

I brought my daughter to a "commercial" tryout. They were just looking at kids - I found out later. The parents were given a time to call the JRP person the next morning. I did and they "LOVED" my daughter and they saw a lot of potential in her. However, they wanted her to join their organization and take "some classes" with them. The cost: $3,000!!!!!!!!!

They would not guarantee any jobs or talent scouts, etc. The lady called me and my husband and had to know an answer RIGHT THEN AND THERE! My husband has a policy about people pressuring him: If you have to know the answer now, the answer is NO! He did not appreciate the pressure!!

The lady called me back several times. I told her we didn't have the money for that. After going back and forth, the best she could do with her manager was to pay the fee in 1/3rds, with everything paid in full by the 3rd month - then the classes could begin.

Still too much money! She called me once again to "offer my daughter a $1,000 scholarship from a little girl who was moving out of state and couldn't take the scholarship with her!" Sorry but $2,000 is still too much!!

My 8 yr. old daughter understood and agreed. We decided to sign up for drama classes in school and she will go to a Performing Arts camp in July to see if she really likes drama. While she would like to be like Hannah Montana tomorrow, she realizes she needs experience first.

FYI - my co-worker went to JRP with me and her 2 kids. She didn't call them back the next morning and JRP NEVER called her back about her kids. I guess the parents who called back MIGHT be able to be talked into signing up with them!

Just my 2 cents: $3,000 was NOT going to get my daughter famous, so thanks, but no thanks JRP!!!

 

[TheDizMom]

I had a similar experience with them. My DS audtioned and they loved him and his look and called him back for a second audition. We ended up passing because what they really wanted was for him to sign up for their very expensive classes which included having to audition for things ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND! Who has time for that? They make you think you are auditioning for a talent scout or a specific thing but you really aren't. They did not pressure me, but did call back to try to get him to audition again. We again passed. My son decided he's rather learn to act with local theater camps. He didn't want to give up that much of his free time to take classes and audition.

 

[disney_fan_fam]

I went to JRP. They do so many week courses and you have to pay a buttload of money. ( I had won a contest and went for free) I think they specialize in the classes rather than scouting and representing models/talent. IMO I'd rather use the $$$ to get good head shots from a good photographer and make composites & a portfolio. Perhaps you could get in contact with Macys* or other deparment stores in your area as some have open calls, I know they do in my area. or maybe even talk to agents in your area if you're serious.

How old is your child?? I went when I was 11 y/o but the class was full of high schoolers on up, I was the youngest. I remember it being fun but I got jobs on my own later, at open calls.


I know other so-called-agencies that hold these conferences where you have to pay thousands of dollars, promise you'll be seen by top agents from around the world and nothing comes of it for most, but there are a select few that will get picked. I don't know what the process is after that though. I'm guessing that you'll probably have to dish out even more money.....

Hope that made sense...

 

[Steph9072]

My friends daughter is a model use to do Chicago runways & on th Oprah show now is doing runway and magazines in NYC. She told me from her experience. With the exception of your pictures (portfolio) if an agent or whom every wants you to model they will pay you not the other way around.!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Same basic story here. Let me preface the story by saying that from the very beginning I told my daughter that I suspected it was a scam and to not be disappointed when I don't spend the $$$$$$$ to sign her up for anything.

My daughter heard a commercial on the radio saying some casting lady from Nick was going to be somewhere and she wanted to go. She called for an appointment (with me sitting right next to her at the time.) The woman we spoke to was very nice. we made an appointment for both my girls.

We showed up at the appointment to find the place completely overflowing with people. We sat in a large room with the group while this woman spoke to all of us about how wonderful the program there was. Kids were given a few lines to learn depending on their age. They showed us some clips of people who had succeeded from the John Robert Powers program. Then the lady from casting at Nick came out. She actually didn't work for Nick but from some agency that does work for nick. She spoke for a couple of minutes (again about how wonderful John Robert Powers was) and then she left.

Then we sat and sat. Finally they began calling people out of the room. We met with someone form JRP who told us abou the classes. She was pushing some program that was $9,000 per child!!!! She told me that the girls would meet the casting agent and be video taped saying their commercial. She told me that they don't take everyone and that chances were very good that they would not offer places to both my daughters.

When the girls met the lady from Nick I had to stay outside, but I could see though a big window. she spoke to each girl briefly and then they videod their commercials. The part with her took just a couple of minutes.

I was told to call the next day in the morning to see if they wanted my children for their program and that if they did I would have to come back the next day (prepare to spend the day.) and bring my checkbook/credit card to sign them up.

Already knowing what would happen I called the next day to find out what they thought of my children's audition. the woman I spoke to was "amazed" because the casting agent loved both my kids "Oh my, this never happens! They have so much potential! Give us money."
She wanted me to come in with both girls. I told her there was no way I could afford the program. She tried to offer me some other program, but she mentioned how it doesn't include everything, blah, blah, blah but I said no.
In the end it was exactly what I thought it would be.

 

[disney_fan_fam]

My friends daughter is a model use to do Chicago runways & on th Oprah show now is doing runway and magazines in NYC. She told me from her experience. With the exception of your pictures (portfolio) if an agent or whom every wants you to model they will pay you not the other way around.!

Yes!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I didn't get involved with this, but my best friend did when we were teenagers. Same experience as LSUmom had said. In the end, she did the classes $$$ and NOTHING came of it. Shocking, right? Total theives!

As OP said, if they are legit...they will pay you, you won't pay them. Only thing you should have to pay for is a portfolio and I would not recommend using them for that. A portfolio can be done with a photographer for much less than what they will charge you.

 

[mrsnj91]

I did JRP. It is a class more so than an agency. Those that take the classes get refered out for jobs if someone contacts them but they are not an actual modeling agency. It is a shame they are portraying themselves as such. It makes them look bad. The classes are fun and really helpful and I got several jobs from taking the classes and doing the shoots, etc. But don't expect them to launch your child into a career. You need an actual agency for that.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you go online to the big agencies (Ford, Wilhemina etc.) all you need to do is send in a snapshot of your child. You do not need fancy pictures. They will call you if they are interested. Most of these heavily advertised "casting calls" by agencies are a way for them to get you to buy classes from them. Anyone remember Barbizon? Biggest scam going. I had a friend who took classes from there and it was such a waste. Save your money and just send in a snapshot.