I'm trying to cross reference as many of the SCAM threads as possible, hoping to help stop newbies from spending unnecessray amounts of $$.

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/932105/m/12110087/p/1

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9611031/m/598106421

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9611031/m/7...=548106621#548106621

Here's another one. Very interesting how so many 1 or 2 time posters pop up selling the idea that spending outrageous amounts of $$ is a good thing.

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8111031/m/74210075/p/1

THANK YOU !! there is such a WEALTH of information on this message board ! I just wish I had found it ( or looked for it ) back in March before I got scammed by JRP for $2000.00 for my 4 yeard old, I know Im crazy. Although my daughter has been offered representation by coast to coast and cesd, but I can't move to LA for a 4 year old who may change her mind next week. We go each Saturday and last week, my daughter played " actor, actor" which was DUCK DUCK GOOSE!! Gtreat learning for big bucks...LOL
Anyway this IPOP thing is about to audition in August for the LA one in January, can't wait to hear the sales pitch BUT thanks to you guys. I AIN'T FALLING again !! I listen to so many people each week and wonder if they really hear themselves when they sing the praises of this thing. One lady spent almost $8,000.00 plus the tuition for JRP ( which my 2000.00 was the bottom price) and her kid got one call back, same place my daughter got one for at an audition in the office there. AND it's another scam I think. With Wilhelmina Dan in Nashville, I have to pay $495.00 for a " booking fee" that includes being added to thier website and 100 comp cards... This lady is so excited, but for the $6,000.00 she pady JRP, the $8,000.00 for IPOP and the $500 for Wilhelmina... I wish I could have shown her this website first. I feel like I got off cheap because I stopped at $2,000.00 THANK YOU THANK YOU THAAAAANK YOU !!

eeewww, sorry about all the typos.. I promise I can spell, just can't type !!

I met a mom the other day at a shoot who was singing the praises of her DD's recent experience at IMTA, all the traning she received, agency "callbacks," etc. I didn't have the heart to tell her she'd been had. I did, however, refer her and the other moms on site to bizparents. (For some reason, I'm a magnet for questions, maybe because I just act informed, I don't know.)

More JRP experiences.
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9611031/m/686101431

*Bump*

If it was never said on here (messageboard) mom let me be the first to say it. I appreciate people like you mom. Because truthfully you don't have to post all these informative info for the vets and newbies to read. But the fact that you do -do that I say thank you. It's very helpful and again informative to read.

I am a former John Robert Powers insider. I can help. Visit my website at thetruthaboutjrp.com

Looks like we need to add Barbizon to the list, according to the Dateline story last Sunday. Profiles Barbizon and IMTA (they labeled their story "modeling scam"):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30156875/

Backstage thread here:
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f.../9611031/m/152107202

ANY modeling school is a scam.

Avoid any agency that demands a fee up front, and you'll be ahead of the game.

Same with outfits that offer acting classes as a part of representation-- these are all money pits, ripoffs.

Steer clear.

I actually went to JRP when I was twelve. I'm fifteen now.

First of all, they require that all kids take a modeling class before anything else. Why? I'm not sure why twelve year olds should be taught to walk in heels on a "runway" or how to pose, ect. I'm not even interested in modeling, so why would I be required to take that class? So that was a pointless waste of about 6 months.

The following six months were spent in a TV acting class. We spent half of the time doing commercials even though it was a television acting class. There were 12 kids in our one hour class - we each got a commercial to do and practiced the same one for five weeks. We weren't even asked to memorize it.

Then we were given scenes to do, partners were chosen for us, and then we did a one minute scene for the rest of the time. The final two weeks involved getting in front of a camera, and yeah, they taught us how to slate. We were actually told to say "Hi, my name is ______, I'm ____years old and I'm with JRP". That's not entirely correct.

Then we filmed our scenes, the teacher gave some critique and we did it over. Then it ended. There was no technique taught - just go in, and read. Who is the character? What are they feeling? Why? Nobody told us to ask those sort of questions. We just read.

They never gave anyone advice anywhere near what is given on here. Oh, and look - the information on these boards is FREE.

Nobody informed us of sites like Actor's Access that could have been used to submit for student films instead of wasting time. They told us to just come to the auditions they hold at the school - which actually do include some pretty good people. They told you to either do a monologue that was given to you in class, or a short commercial.

You had to get head shots taken (by one of their photographers) first though. The pictures cost upwards of $600. I'm tall, so I was required to make a modeling portfolio. Again, not interested in modeling! Most of the two hour shoot was modeling (I was thirteen by then), and then a last-minute head shot session for about ten minutes. Also, I had on way too much make-up and they curled my hair. That might be fine, but I don't look like me. I look like I'm 22 in those photos. I only wear minimal make-up to auditions and I always have my hair straight.

So, you can audition there if you want. Of coarse, you have to be either a current or previous student at the school.

So I spent $2000 + $600 for bad head shots + $500 to print comp cards, a portfolio, and head shots. Why? For things I can't even use.

I should have just trusted myself when that weird man started going on and on about tomatoes. Yes, tomatoes. The owner came out for the "seminar" and started talking about how we were all green tomatoes who needed to be ripened. John Robert Powers was the perfect place to do that! Then he went on to talk about success stories and the top-notch and highly respected training given. He said that it was very selective, and only the best would be chosen (not true). He also said that parents who ended up being lucky enough to be accepted would be dream crushers if they didn't let their kids go. Then, a woman walked into the room. She presented herself to a room filled with kids under 14 as Vanessa Hudgens manager. It also happened to be the day of the Oscars, or rather the morning of. So she talked about how she was going to LA right after the "auditions" took place. She also mentioned one of her clients - Taylor Kitsch - and swore that he was the next Brad Pitt. She did not say anything about JRP, and no one said she was affiliated with them, but having her there "supervising" the "auditions" sort of sends the message that she works for them. She doesn't. Looking back, I don't see what an LA manager could do for New Yorkers.

After the long seminar, you go in and read a two-line commercial in a cramped room with 10 other kids in it. It's done on camera, and the owner and manager woman were in there too.

Then, we went into another area and waited for a representative. The rep asked about experience, why you like to act, and then talked about JRP opening doors. She mentioned that we shouldn't expect success overnight. She said that with proper training, it would come quickly. She said that if I were accepted, my parents should start preparing for the move to LA. She talked about agents coming in and taking kids - she made it sound like it was easy to get signed to top agents. She said that many of the agents were top LA agents who would want us to move there so that I could work in film, tv, ect. She talked about how this was an investment and those picked were special. She told us that this was a small investment compared to what I could be making within the next year. She also said that those without significant training and the will to act wouldn't make it. She said that the parents she meets want to help their kids, and that this was the first step.


So, that's the experience from a student's point of view.

You can decide whether it's a scam or not for yourself.

I recently found out that my mom went to JRP when she was a kid. Back then they were one of those ettiquette schools that you see in movies. ie. Walking and balancing a book on your head, proper table manners, etc.

She didn't become famous from it!

quote:

Originally posted by henryshowbiz:
Looks like we need to add Barbizon to the list, according to the Dateline story last Sunday. Profiles Barbizon and IMTA (they labeled their story "modeling scam"):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30156875/

Backstage thread here:
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f.../9611031/m/152107202

Yup! They're on the list created by ELDORADO! http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...32105/m/12110087/p/8

quote:

Originally posted by California P.:
If it was never said on here (messageboard) mom let me be the first to say it. I appreciate people like you mom. Because truthfully you don't have to post all these informative info for the vets and newbies to read. But the fact that you do -do that I say thank you. It's very helpful and again informative to read.

Gosh, I can't believe I hadn't thanked you for your kind words. They are much appreciated!

To be honest, though, it takes a village! I'm so grateful for all the teamwork on this board. There are sooooo many to thank for all the added information and experiences that are shared, which lead to even more resources. I applaud you all!