John Robert Powers School

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John Robert Powers School - Scam or Opportunity

Acting and Modeling school John Robert Powers School, is it a scam or an opportunity? Trying to find the right opportunities in the modeling / acting industry can be hard and filled with scam after scam. Since I am in the process of doing just that, finding a talent agent for my 8 year old, I thought I'd share what I find on my favorite site, SQUIDOO!! Hopefully I can help you with what I have learned.



The photos are of my son when I was trying to get a good photo to send to a talent agency.

Chris Brochu on John Robert Powers
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John Robert Powers School Radio Ads

I heard about the John Robert Powers (JRP) School by listening to a Christian Radio Station. That goes to prove you can't always trust outright what's on a Christian Radio station.

The ad starts out asking if you would like to see your kid on High School Musical. Gives the name of a famous casting director, a limit of 200 kids and calls it an audition.

When you call and sign up for the audition, the girl speaks so fast you can't really understand her. When you ask her to slow down she sounds more annoyed then anything else. As I asked questions to clarify it became very clear that this was not what it was advertised to be.

What Others are Saying about John Robert Powers

BBB Cautions Locals On Talent Agencies
When she heard an advertisement on the radio for the John Robert Powers School System, she said she begged...
Lights, Camera, Action! Thibodaux takes center stage
Actors ranged from 6-25. ?I'm in the school's movie club and our teacher asked us if we wanted...
Supermodel contest kicks off
The judges include model Thanh Hang, designer Cong Tri, film director Le Hoang, Viet Nam's dance...

What was the Advertisement for the Audition about?

As I asked questions and clarified the information this young girl was spouting off it became clear that it wasn't what was being advertised on the radio.

First the casting director will not be in attendence, there is no show just a pre screen to find new talent. It is an audition for the school NOT the casting director. IF you are accepted to apply to the school then you may get an audition with a casting director.

I did register my son for the audition in 3 days and was told I needed two pictures they could keep AND it was something casual dress. She still wouldn't clearly say the words so all I know is 'no jeans'

Then I went and did my homework....

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So what did I learn on the Internet about John Robert Powers acting school?

Started with the official company website.

The official John Robert Powers acting / modeling school

They have an interesting list of successful graduates with the Disney Channel:

Chris Brochu with Hannah Montana
Brenda Song from The Suite Life of Zach and Cody

Other pictures show the franchise owners and VPs with various celebrities and others who attended a John Robert Powers event, not graduates or directly attached to John Robert Powers school. If you didn't read the captions or "the small print" you may think big starts like Sandra Bullock, Robin Williams and Laurence Fishburne were also graduates.

It is a school for those who want to learn about acting or modeling. Since they have been around for a long time they have certain connections and friendships that may benefit their students.

Hear from the Anti John Robert Power school camp

Vancouver Actors Guild Forum
Discussion board answering a question about the school, what it is and if it is legit. Two definite sides with feedback from a teacher of JRP.
BBB News & Archives Details
BBB information on the company.
John Robert Powers Scam
Find out more about the John Robert Powers Scam
Ripoff Report Search Results:
Want justice! The Rip Off Report allows you a central place to enter complaints about companies and individuals who are ripping people off. Our reports cover every category imaginable! Submit your story on our Web site for free, for millions to see. Report everything from Auto Dealers, Retail Stores
Easy Background Check
Information on news and legal proceedings involving JRP.

Who was John Robert Powers

The official website says that he was an aspiring actor who apon arriving in New York discovered a need for an acting / modeling school. He wrote 3 books on modeling and personal development. (to be added to)

According to the website: "It was during the 1920's that Mr. Powers came to New York City with the hopes of becoming an actor. His business and entrepreneurial skills led him elsewhere. He overheard an associate say he wanted a group of attractive people to pose for magazine advertisements. Powers rounded up acting friends and trained them for these advertisements. The modern modeling industry was born. He founded the first modeling agency in 1923. Around the world the JOHN ROBERT POWERS SCHOOL SYSTEM celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2003."

They list the following famous people who attended John Robert Powers schools:

First Lady Jackie Kennedy
Racquel Welch
Diana Ross

They list the following as Powers Models:
Princess Grace of Monaco
Jennifer Jones
Ava Gardner
Barbara Stanwyck
Lucille Ball
Lee Remick
Ann Margaret
Henry Fonda
Tyrone Power

Impressive List of names.
John Robert Powers NYC
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28 ratings | 7,872 views
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John Robert Powers School's advertising, What does the Majority Say

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John Robert Powers Life Course

The life course is a 10 week course open to anyone who wants to register. This course teaches children:

Social Graces
Goal Setting
Table Etiquette
Speeches and Presentation
Confidence Building
Over Coming Shyness
Personal Care
Walking with Grace
Voice and Diction
First Impressions
Interviewing skills

All very valuable skills for kids to learn in todays society. Any and all kids can benefit from these types of courses.

(find out cost)

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Did All the Celebrities that JRP Says attended there Really go There?

According to Wikipedia the LA BBB tried to find out:

"JRP websites include photos of famous personalities and name other celebrities as graduates. Pictures such as Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne hang in the lobby of franchises.[6] The Los Angeles Better Business Bureau attempted to contact many of these celebrities through their agents or close family members, and those who responded neither attended classes at JRP nor authorized use of their likeness. Those representatives or family members listed as responding to the BBB inquiry did so in regards to: Lucille Ball, Heather Locklear, Barbara Walters, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, John Wayne and Betty Ford.[1]"

The LA BBB article says:

Those who are disappointed in the quality of Powers' services may not be surprised to learn that Lucille Ball, for example, never attended classes at John Robert Powers, nor did she consent to the use of her name or likeness by them. Neither, for that matter, according to their agents or close family members, did Heather Lochlear, Barbara Walters, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, John Wayne, or Betty Ford. (Although we communicated with a number of other celebrities shown or listed on Powers' websites, they did not respond.

For the full Article.

So the question becomes, how trustworthy is a company that uses the likenesses of famous celebrities that never went to their school?

No matter how valuable the classes or how wonderful the instruction, if you start out with a lie.....

Modeling and Acting Courses from John Robert Powers Schools

These courses are available via invitation only through an audition, like the one they are advertising on the radio today. Each course is only 10 weeks long - I believe one day a week but I need to confirm.

The modeling course teaches:

Runway
Fashion and commercial print
Singing
Hip Hop Dance* (only in certain locations)
Karate* (only in certain locations)

Once again valuable skills for anyone, but especially children who are looking to become models.

Acting Programs are also 10 weeks long and there are more of them. A sample list:

Television Commercials
Soap and Sitcoms
Improvisation
Cold Reading
Monologues
Theatrical Workshops
Auditioning Techniques
Voice and Diction
Film

Any agent will tell you that if you have taken courses you will have a better chance at getting your first job because they know you can do the work. This never guarantees a job though.
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What now

I did call the school back and informed them we would not be coming because we didn't have money for tuition at the moment. The girl on the other line just took our name off the list and that was it. NO pushy sales tactics to get us in the door.

It was a lot of money but what made me decide it wasn't worth it was their sneaky advertising. Saying it was an audition for a casting director and then finding out that it was an audition for their school and then if you attended the school, you might get auditions with the casting director.

If you start out with a lie.........

More is John Power Roberts a Scam Links

NBC's Paul Moyer reveals John Robert Powers is a SCAM!!!!
The Showfax Actors Resource Discussion Board is an entertainment industry forum for professional and aspiring actors to discuss matters related to the craft, the business, auditioning and work.
WikiAnswers - Is the john robert powers school a fraud
Performing Arts question. Is JRP a Scam?
Metro
[ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]
Photograph by George SakkestadModel Citizen: Shelly Ashworth, a former client of the San Jose-based modeling agency John Robert Powers, fought in court to get a refund of her money and won.Powers That BeAngry former employees and clients say the local Jo
My3cents.com - John Robert Powers of Southfield Michigan Complaint - JRP scam, deceptive school., Lousy class instuction, terrible classes
John Robert Powers of Southfield Michigan Consumer Review - JRP scam, deceptive school. - Lousy class instuction, terrible classes

Your Say regarding JRP School of Acting and Modeling

What is Your Opinion of JRP School of Acting and Modeling

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Great Opportunity - Worth the Tuition

amiiexxxx says:

i would like to act

It's a Scam

 

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Students still need an Agent

I was talking with an agent and their agency is the agent for students at the John Roberts School. John Roberts is an expensive school, not agents.

There are other schools that will give you the same training and courses for a lot less money. If you want to act or model you will need to take courses and learn about audition procedures and how to behave.

Acting and modeling isn't all fun, it is work, it is memorization, it is a lot of waiting around. You have to be able to take direction and although it's ok to have fun it's still a job and you are expected to behave appropriately.

Some Graduates of JRP

Just some of the more recent graduates from
JRP school of acting and modeling.

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Faith Ford

Faith Ford and me by Alan Light
Faith Ford by Alan Light
Faith Ford by Alan Light
Clark and Faith Ford by Alan Light
Ken with Faith Ford by Alan Light
Candice Bergen, Faith Ford, Joe Regalbuto by Alan Light
Faith Ford by Alan Light
Faith Ford & Joe Regalbuto by Alan Light
Faith Ford & Joe Regalbuto by Alan Light
automatically generated by Flickr

What is Your Experience with the JRP School?

Have you or someone you know had experience with John Robert Powers school of acting and modeling? Let us know about your experiences and thoughts.

  • Concerned Parent. Nov 30, 2010 @ 12:14 pm | delete
    Well, the John Robert Powers School in Calgary certainly uses predatory/misleading tactics to get contact information. They surreptitiously hosted an autograph session at a local shopping mall on November 28. They had Kimberly J. Brown from Disney's Halloweentown High out to sign autographs and meet folks. The event appeared to be promoting the Halloweentown show and Family Channel, with no indications anywhere of John Robert Powers' involvement anywhere.
    We were required to provide a name and phone number for our children in order to get an autograph for 'security reasons'. We went ahead and provided the information, which in retrospect was really dumb to do. At no time were we told anything about JRP's having anything to do with the event. The person who took the info even said we wouldn't be contacted about anything.
    The next day we got the call from John Robert Powers 'on behalf' of our children. Well I certainly didn't authorize them to act on behalf of my child. They tried to wrangle us in to the meeting/audition/acting lesson machine that they are. When I pointed out that they had obtained our information under false pretenses, they said they were upfront and it was me that was mistaken.
    I don't have a problem with them trotting out a client who's doing well in order to promote their school or services, but to hide their involvement until they have your number and contact information doesn't inspire confidence in their integrity.
    I won't have anything to do with this organization. If you're considering them, check out the franchise carefully, and don't sign anything you're not sure about.
  • Monsire Sep 20, 2010 @ 9:13 pm | delete
    Also, did you know that the California is the most liberal government in North America? Do you know what that means? The government of California wants us all to be the same, that create policies that try to level the playing field. For example, one person who dreams of starting a business, provide jobs for others, work hard and smart is equal to the guy who gets up and smokes weed, goes to work at the Department of Transportation and then goes home and drinks booze all night. A liberal is anti-descriminatory, they to not distinguish between those two types of people. Where am I going with this? Do you know that in California a person can not legally have a modeling school and a modeling agency in the same office. It is becoming harder and harder to run a small business in California, so why don't you think of the person who is trying to run a JRP in California, the taxes, payroll, insurances required, bonds, leases, expenses. It's so unreal when you read these nasty, childish comments on here. Yes, there are some JRPs that are run by people who don't have your best interests in mind. There are others like the San Diego franchise who are run by well-educated, classy people who take the profit and put it back into the business and make wise decisions to help the people that are involved with the company. You could say these immature things about any company and especially the government and LA Times.
  • Monsire Sep 20, 2010 @ 8:52 pm | delete
    The above article on the validity of the JRP school system sites an LA times article about the talent that have attended JRP. The link to this extremely social liberal paper goes nowhere. The JRP business model is the most comprehensive model that an aspiring model, actor, singer, could be involved in. The San Diego franchise is run by a highly regarded Christian women that loves and inspires her clients. She has direct relationships with all the top LA agencies, casting directors and photographers. There are no smoke and mirrors. Just like anything in life you have to try your hardest, be ambitious, stay focused on your dream and not listen to all the doubters out there who think things will just somehow fall in your lap. Life is a growing process and the lessons that you learn at JRP will serve you for a lifetime. The LA times wants you to work at a factory, punch a clock and make you into a robot like a scared human being would live their life. At JRP you are pushed to dream big, look your best, focus on your life. LA Times is a scam!
  • FutureJRPGraduate Sep 5, 2010 @ 1:22 am | delete
    I have audition and currently attending classes with JRP Calgary, I love the school I have learned a lot. I now have an agent I have done many performances and am looking forward to more. JRP is about your commitment, to learning, accepting the cost, and having a good time.
  • Reg Jan 9, 2010 @ 12:45 am | delete
    I worked for JRP for many years. It really depends on the owners. I know that our school placed many children, teens and adults in commercials, movies and print work. There were many opportunites at our school for aspiring talent. Every single month we brought in Agents from either LA or San Francisco to audition our talent; such as Stars, Ford, Elite and more. Most of the time these agents found new talent upon these visits, but sometimes they didn't. We also had a job board with local auditions. Our placement director was in weekly contact with local casting directors as well. It was really important to me personally to educate those who came through our doors that we were a school with amazing teachers whom were successful actors and models themselves and that we had connections that could lead to success in the industry. My thoughts were that we would only be successful if our students were successful. So, If you have good representation and training you could make it! The myth is that if you have an agent you'll get work and become famous. The fact is that it takes a lot of hard work and does require a lot of time and money along the way. Every successful Actor/Actress has taken classes and continues too. Every successful model needs fantastic photos to represent themselves which costs money. Rarely will an agency fork out money for headshots. In other words its not just about how talented or pretty you are.
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