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.
Contents at a Glance
- John Robert Powers School Radio Ads
- What Others are Saying about John Robert Powers
- What was the Advertisement for the Audition about?
John Robert Powers School Radio Ads
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
- John Robert Powers – The Right Acting Classes For Your Child by ...
- Almost every child dreams of becoming an actor when he grows up. And, as a parent, it is your respon...
- John Robert Powers Montreal: Roshni Patel
- If I hadn't been accepted into John Robert Powers acting school, I probably wouldn't be Miss Teen Qu...
- John Robert Powers Montreal: Sean David Mercado
- After starting at John Robert Powers in 2008, Sean David Mercado is breaking into the acting industr...
- American Idol 2008 – John Robert Powers Acting School Success ...
- John Robert Powers Acting School Success Story Ron Patterson, President of John Robert Powers, annou...
What was the Advertisement for the Audition about?
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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John Robert Powers on Wikipedia
John Robert Powers (April 16, 1892 - November 1977) was an American actor and founder of a prominent New York City modeling agency.
In 1923, John Robert Powers founded a modeling agency that became the most famous and powerful in the industry. The John Robert Powers Agency represented many models who went on to success in the Hollywood film industry, and even Betty Bloomer who became the First Lady of the United States. While Powers' clientele was overwhelmingly female, and to be a "Powers Girl" was a much sought-after position, the agency also represented several men who went on to fame in the movies such as Henry Fonda, Cary Grant, and Tyrone Power.
At its height, the agency was so significant within the industry that Hollywood made a 1943 musical comedy film titled The Powers Girl in which Alan Mowbray portrays John Robert Powers and features Anne Shirley and Carole Landis as aspiring models.
John Robert Powers married Alice Burton (1902-1972) and they are interred together in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
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So what did I learn on the Internet about John Robert Powers acting school?
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.
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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
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 School's advertising, What does the Majority Say
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?
"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.
The Irish peacock;: The confessions of a legendary talent agent
Amazon Price: (as of 11/13/2009)
2002 Guide to Talent & Modeling Agents (Guide to Talent and Modeling Agents)
Amazon Price: $17.93 (as of 11/13/2009)
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
Fetching blurbs now... please stand by
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Students still need an Agent
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.
Josh Duhamel JRP Acting School Graduate
Joshua David "Josh" Duhamel ( ; born November 14, 1972) is an American actor and former fashion model. He first achieved acting success in 1999 as Leo du Pres on ABC's All My Children and later as the chief of security, Danny McCoy, on NBC's Las Vegas. He is also well known for his role as one of the protagonists, Captain William Lennox, in the box office hit Transformers as well as its sequel, Category: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - and he is the official pace car driver for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 driving the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car.
Brenda Song JRP acting school Graduate
Brenda Song (born March 27, 1988) is an American actress, singer, and model. Song started in show business as a child fashion model. After many commercials and television roles in the late 1990s, Song won a Young Artist Award for her work in The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000). She went on to appear in feature films aimed at teenagers, including Like Mike (2002) and College Road Trip (2008).
Song's movies on the Disney Channel include Get a Clue (2002) and Stuck in the Suburbs (2004). In 2005, she was selected for a role in the Emmy Award-nominated Disney series, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, in which she played hotel heiress London Tipton. Song earned an Asian Excellence Award nomination for her part in the series. Song continues portraying the character in The Suite Life on Deck. The Suite Life series is one of Disney Channel's most successful and top rated series, and Song's character is the channel's longest continuous female character.Robert Siedman (May 11, 2009). Disney Channel orders more The Suite Life on Deck. TV by the Numbers. Accessed 2009-06-09. In 2006, Song was named the "Queen of Disney" by Cosmogirl Magazine due to her contributions on the channel.Lily Anne (July 30, 2009). "Brenda Song ready to shed good girl image in upcoming film". Examiner.com. Accessed 2009-08-22.
Her fame increased after she played the title role in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Category: Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior - .Stacy Jenel Smith (November 19, 2007). "[http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/celebrity/becksmith.jsp?p=bsf_song_rstar Rising Star: Brenda Song Shows Off Chops in 'Wendy Wu']". Netscape Celebrity. Accessed 2008-12-11.Izuan Shah (November 10, 2006). Happily on Song. star-ecentral.com. Accessed 2008-12-11. Song connected emotionally with the lead character struggling to keep her heritage. The film was one of the top rated Disney Channel Original Movies with over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere,R. Thomas Umstead (January 22, 2007). "Disney Movie Skips to Another Record". Multichannel News. Accessed 2008-12-11. and she will reprise her role as Wendy Wu in the film's sequel. TV Guide listed her in its 2008 "13 Hottest Young Stars to Watch". In December 2008, Song was cast as the female lead in the 2010 science fiction feature film, Boogie Town in which she portrays Natalie.M. Carly (June 18, 2009). Brenda Song: Life Sure Is Sweet!. Scholastic. Accessed 2009-06-25.
AJ Trauth JRP acting school Graduate
Andrew James Trauth, commonly known as A. J. Trauth (born September 14, 1986 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American actor and musician. He is best known for playing the character of Alan "Twitty" on Even Stevens, and as the voice of Josh Mankey on Kim Possible, both programs aired on Disney Channel.
In 2006, he guest starred on the CBS drama Numb3rs.
He is the youngest of three brothers and currently resides in Odessa, Texas.
Taylor Dooley JRP acting school Graduate
Taylor Marie Dooley (born February 26, 1993) is an American teen actress. She is well-known for her starring role as Lavagirl in the Robert Rodriguez's film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D.
Stephen Bender JRP Graduate
Stephan Bender (born 2 June 1989) is an American actor who is currently best known for his portrayal of a young Clark Kent in Superman Returns. His most recent film is Dream Boy written and directed by James Bolton. It recently won the OUTFEST award for best screen writing and was adapted from the novel of the same name by Jim Grimsley. He plays Nathan a lonely boy who has moved to rural Louisiana, where he falls in love with a neighboring farm hand despite having been abused by his father.
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Faith Ford JRP School Graduate
Faith Ford (born September 14, 1964) is an American television and film actress, best known for her role as Corky Sherwood on Murphy Brown and her role as Hope Fairfield-Shanowski on Hope & Faith.
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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.
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Reply
- Sue, NC Sue, NC Jun 30, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
- I took my daughter to an audition call last night, and she received the call back today. However since our family does not have the money to sign her up we are not planning to take this any further.
I have to say the only 'scam' in my experience lasy night is that I was given to understand that it was an actual audition for a commercial. The kids did read for a commercial, but it was for the purposes of evaluation for JRP only.
The money to sign up was listed in the booklet handed to us but not mentioned at all verbally, and no 'pressure tactics' were laid upon us either last night or during the call back phone conversation today. They simply said that they would offer her another chance to audition next spring if she was interested and we could afford it at that point.
No promises of work were mentioned last night, & overall it was an interesting experience.
I would say though we won't be doing this, letting her join local theatre will be cheaper and more her thing.
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Reply
- surprised! surprised! Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:28 am
- I just went to an audition for this. They called my mom. I didn't know who they were or anything. If this is really a scam like people say...Im sueing for every penny!! My dad even told me it was a scam, and he know's nothing about the place. All he know's is they ask for money up front! If it is a scam I'm going public!
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Reply
- Louise Louise Apr 16, 2009 @ 12:30 am
- My daughter urged us to take her to the Vancouver auditions after hearing their radio ads. We decided to research first, and what we learned scared us. My brother-in-law works in the film business in LA and when we phoned him, he literally laughed in our face. He told us that, worldwide, movies and TV shows hire probably less than 20 unknown child and teen actors every year. When we asked him about these supposed LA agents who come to JRP to audition kids, he told us they are either fake agents, or they work for agencies but have no decision-making power. They go to JRP and iPop festivals to earn extra money on weekends. I was skeptical until he asked us WHY an LA agent would even want to come to Vancouver to audition a kid for two lines in a movie being shot in LA when there are 2 million actors already in LA.
Their high-pressure tactics and slimy morals turned off both me and my daughter and we left without auditioning, but not before they kept asking for our "family income." Scary.
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Reply
- GIgi GIgi Apr 13, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
- NEver go to jrp. NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!! ITs' a big mistake and they will only steal your money. Before going to ANY casting call with componies like that, look them up on google with the word " scam" after there name. Most will have many scam links. Never ever trust jrp.
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- Dan Anderson Dan Anderson Feb 16, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
- I believe That i have greater potential than JRP AND ACT.(another acting agency scam) They are filthy scum that dont deserve raw teen acting talent like me! They BOTH STOLE TWO!!!!Photos of me EACH!!! I am a 4'6" slender male teen, if any TALENT SCOUTS see this I believe that i could win over the crowds via tv studio, like fRed on ICARLY. Please contact...(440) 521-7615. Daniel Anderson,Age 13 P.S I also have ties with Vitalones Limo Service, (440) 947-1811
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