John Casablancas MTM Modeling Agency John Casablancas is a SCHOOL, not an agency. What they want is your $$$, not your talent. Scottsdale, Arizona
My two teenagers decided to try modeling. They did some research and decided to go to a "casting call" at John Casablancas in Scottsdale. They were both scheduled for the same time on a Saturday.
They went to the call and had a lot of fun. There were about 15 other kids there. They read for a commercial, walked a runway and then had two pictures taken, one head shot and one body shot with a small digital camera.
They were told to call back the following Monday to get their "score". They score you in three categories, A meaning you don't need any help, you are on your way and they want you, B meaning you have potential but need help and C meaning they don't want you. Of course, my kids were in the B group.
They were then scheduled for a follow up "interview", which required both my husband and I to attend. We met with a guy named Jim who told my kids they had potential and drilled them about their commitment.
As others have said on this website, he told us that the kids had lots of potential, and didn't need the first ten classes. He was putting them right into the advanced classes. We didn't really get that, since they have had absolutely NO experience whatsoever in modeling or acting, so how they were getting to "skip" the first ten classes, I don't know.
He then started talking about cost. That's when it got fun! He handed us a sheet showing the different ways to pay the $2,000 it would cost for their "advanced classes". You can read more about the "advanced classes" on this website from people who actually paid for them.
My husband and I had kept quiet up until this time. My first question to him was to ask about all the advice given to us over time that you shouldn't have to pay anything if they want you. He looked absoloutely incredulous and said "I have never heard that". I laughed and asked him if had "googled" modeling lately.
He got pretty riled up, asking me if I believed everything I read or everything people tell me. He also asked me if you could become a dentist or doctor without training. He actually got pretty PO'd and rude. My kids were having a hard time controlling their laughter at how mad he got. I finally had to quiet him down by telling him I wasn't an idiot, that I didn't believe everything people told me, including him and yes, I knew doctors and dentists had to be trained.
We told him we had to think about it. He wanted to know "who makes the decisions in your family". We told him we all did, because if the kids want to do this, they have to contribute. He said that he needed to know today, because the "spots" were filling up and he didn't know if they would be there later. He got up and said he would go check to see how many spots were left.
When he left, my kids burst out in laughter and said "let's get out of here" and a few other choice remarks about his rude behavior. When he came back, he asked what we had decided and my 17 year old son told him "no thanks".
All in all, it was a good learning experience for us and our kids. My recommendation is to stay away. After reading everything all over the internet about this company, I think we'll try something else!