Complaint Review: John Robert Powers - Bloomington Minnesota

The fact that JRP is a school is not the problem. Everything these people above are saying has nothing to do with the real issue here. The point is that people are being LIED to when they are cold called at their homes. The person on the phone says the audition is a for a COMMERCIAL not a SCHOOL. You don't find out it's a school until later on. That's the part that makes JRP untrustworthy. It may have began as an honest place to train back in the 1920s, but since all these franchisees have popped up, so have a lot of crooks. It's true that this line of work takes effort and it doesn't come easy. It's true that the road to stardom is often long and frustrating, but the things that make this road even longer and more frustrating are the people who try to take advantage of you and your dreams along the way. If the people at John Robert Powers were honest and true, they wouldn't need to call you and make you believe they wanted you to audition for a commercial. They would tell you right away that you were auditioning for admittance into their school. Instead they make you feel like you NEED them instead of them needing you. If you ever decide not to attend, they boast about how great their company is and try to make you feel as though you're passing up a great opportunity when really their goal is to separate you from your money as quick as possible. If they were honest, they wouldn't lie about the famous actors and actresses that received training from them. Do a little research yourself and see if these actors really trained at JRP. You'll find that a good number of them did not, if any at all. It's the fact that JRP lies to you and misleads you right from the beginning that makes it unfair. They prey on the people who want it the most, the people who are willing to pay them, and for that they should be ashamed of themselves.

The fact that JRP is a school is not the problem. Everything these people above are saying has nothing to do with the real issue here. The point is that people are being LIED to when they are cold called at their homes. The person on the phone says the audition is a for a COMMERCIAL not a SCHOOL. You don't find out it's a school until later on. That's the part that makes JRP untrustworthy. It may have began as an honest place to train back in the 1920s, but since all these franchisees have popped up, so have a lot of crooks. It's true that this line of work takes effort and it doesn't come easy. It's true that the road to stardom is often long and frustrating, but the things that make this road even longer and more frustrating are the people who try to take advantage of you and your dreams along the way. If the people at John Robert Powers were honest and true, they wouldn't need to call you and make you believe they wanted you to audition for a commercial. They would tell you right away that you were auditioning for admittance into their school. Instead they make you feel like you NEED them instead of them needing you. If you ever decide not to attend, they boast about how great their company is and try to make you feel as though you're passing up a great opportunity when really their goal is to separate you from your money as quick as possible. If they were honest, they wouldn't lie about the famous actors and actresses that received training from them. Do a little research yourself and see if these actors really trained at JRP. You'll find that a good number of them did not, if any at all. It's the fact that JRP lies to you and misleads you right from the beginning that makes it unfair. They prey on the people who want it the most, the people who are willing to pay them, and for that they should be ashamed of themselves.

The fact that JRP is a school is not the problem. Everything these people above are saying has nothing to do with the real issue here. The point is that people are being LIED to when they are cold called at their homes. The person on the phone says the audition is a for a COMMERCIAL not a SCHOOL. You don't find out it's a school until later on. That's the part that makes JRP untrustworthy. It may have began as an honest place to train back in the 1920s, but since all these franchisees have popped up, so have a lot of crooks. It's true that this line of work takes effort and it doesn't come easy. It's true that the road to stardom is often long and frustrating, but the things that make this road even longer and more frustrating are the people who try to take advantage of you and your dreams along the way. If the people at John Robert Powers were honest and true, they wouldn't need to call you and make you believe they wanted you to audition for a commercial. They would tell you right away that you were auditioning for admittance into their school. Instead they make you feel like you NEED them instead of them needing you. If you ever decide not to attend, they boast about how great their company is and try to make you feel as though you're passing up a great opportunity when really their goal is to separate you from your money as quick as possible. If they were honest, they wouldn't lie about the famous actors and actresses that received training from them. Do a little research yourself and see if these actors really trained at JRP. You'll find that a good number of them did not, if any at all. It's the fact that JRP lies to you and misleads you right from the beginning that makes it unfair. They prey on the people who want it the most, the people who are willing to pay them, and for that they should be ashamed of themselves.

I am now 33 and have been modeling for about 10 yrs now...I attended JRP when I was 13 yrs old. I received a letter in the mail announcing a casting call in our area. So my mother and I went to to the casting and it was hosted by JRP...I couldnt tell you how many people were in the room...I just know that about a quarter of us were picked however. We went through another screening with an agent, whom yes, told us it was going to cost X amount of dollars...I believe it was 1100.00 back then and it would consist of I believe 12 or 13 saturday classes lasting 4 hrs, or you had other options on days, however being in school I was not able to attend these days.... My mother was weary of it as you are, however, my grandfather seeing that it would make me happy to attend this MODELING SCHOOL, please not the capitalized letter, paid for me to go.... And let me tell you....it was the most HELPFUL and INFORMATIVE information as far as my modeling career goes that I have ever attended...If you want something you have to GO AND GET IT! Modeling schools are here to teach us...teach us how to walk, how to talk, how to interview, how to pose for pics, how to dress for certain situations, teaches us the different techniques of different types of modeling...Do YOU THINK MODELS JUST KNOW THIS? Rarely! I get really sick of people bad mouthing these companies,(not saying you are since yours was just a question about concern) because they are not the next super model or famous actress...IT TAKES WORK! You have to want and do it, and then go out there and do it...These schools and agencies are just here to get us started and send us on the right path! I am living proof that they are not a scamm! But they are not miracle workers either..they are here to inform, teach, and direct...not to give hand-me-outs...

The original JRP was more of a "finishing school" which started back in the 1920's. It had a very good reputation and several "stars" and celebrities did attend. However, that was long ago. Someone purchased the rights to the name and they changed the whole concept from the original intent of the school. It is now "a cash cow" to RP, PP-B, and others who receive royalties from every JRP in the world. A percentage of every penny that people pay to JRP goes to the Corporate snakes, crooked owners, and others. They capitalize on the reputation of JRP. The man who started it all - John Robert Powers - must be rolling in his grave to see what they have done to his business and his name.

Take into consideration the credibility of JRP when you consider starting. If your dreams are big and you believe in them, search your heart and make a decision based on you not on us. You have to believe in yourself not in the company. The hype of entertainment is as though we can promise you something greater than what you can promise yourself...people stop doing that! There are soooooo many avenues to getting what you want out of entertainment, it's ridiculous! Any avenue you take to being a professional entertainer is an investment in your hopes and dreams and no one can ruin that outcome but your lack of belief in yourself. You'll learn from every choice you make if you don't blame others and stay focused on you becoming better. All we are here to do is assist in uncovering some things you may not see that can help you grow and point you to our resources. JRP is ONLY there to assist you in better developing your dreams, not create them. Your dreams don't belong to us they belong to you. You are embarking on making yourself a brand. No matter what educational path you choose, making yourself a brand is making yourself a product...you are the business...you are the "talent." Your goal ought to be to make your business the best business out there and in order to do that COULD mean getting the best education possible with JRP, only you know that. I don't know about you but I went to a private 4 year university and i'm still paying on that education 9 years later!!!! With a BFA from that school the paparazzi is not chasin' me...YET(that's belief in me talkin' :0)... I can't put that on my Alma Mater! EVERY business purchases, or in some way, generates "leads" in order to gain customers (sounds like that's how JRP found you). JRP is no different. The entertainment business is not exempt from professional business practices. We are in business to do business. JRP has a largely respected reputation in the industry that is unshakable by comments from clients who have not taken the time to believe in themselves or do their homework...off line...and hit the pavement to research unbiased industry information to uncover the credibility of this 80 year old icon called John Robert Powers...school system. If you want access to what we can offer, you can't get to agents affiliated with JRP without you as the talent being affiliated with us. People like me, with my education, get offered positions with JRP and JUMP at the chance to work with them because we know JRP's concrete, historical reputation is a solid step in the right direction. May the best parts of your dream be made real!

Your Comment : "The (so called)agents introduced themselves they made it look so really. And the speaker (as WE were told) use to be a plus-size model." My Rebuttal: If you attended the audition on 3-8-08 you meet with Kari Larson and Steve from Agency Models and Talent. They are one of the top agents here in the Twin Cities. John Robert Powers is not an agency nor do they claim to be one. The speaker, Connie, was a plus size model; up until about 5 years ago, she has been in the Fashion Commercial Print Industry since she was 14 years old. She was with Elite Chicago for many years as a working model Connie has several tears available for anyone to look at. She purchased this John Robert Powers Franchise in July 2007. All of this was told to you when you auditioned Your Comment: "But they had still told my dad (even after they said 'If you call late you will be cut and we will move on to the next person')" My Rebuttal: Depending on your cast type (which was explained to you in the audition) there may not have been a second choice. Your Comment: "My family has low-income so we dont want to go through with this but they know that this is what I really want to do in life. We havent given them the money yet because we think that $500 down payment, the $1950, AND the $100 per class is just too much. We dont have that kind of money." My Rebuttal: There are over 80 JRPS, We are 1 of very few that accept payments. Connie choose to do payments so that good talent could afford to be trained and to take advantage of the marketing and development that we offer here. Your Comment: "On the information sheet they had given to me, said that if they really liked the auditioner than they will pay for everything, but i think it is kind of unfair. Why would they pay for someone, unless that someone is going to be their success." My Rebuttal: What are you trying to say? There is no information sheet that indicates that JRP would pay for a talent to attend their academy. I am confused? Your Comment: "Also, cant i just take regular classes, like at school or at a cheaper place that would, technically, teach me the same things that the coachs(they want me to pay for) would teach me? My Rebuttal Yes you can take classes elsewhere. That is your choice. We do have fantastic coaches here. We offer development and MARKETING. This was also explained to you in the audition. When you take these other classes can you audition for National and Local Commercials? Can you audition for Feature Films? Can you audition for TV Shows? When you take these other classes can you AUDITION for LA Agents Monthly, can you AUDITION for Local Agents Monthly? PROBABLY NOT. This is what John Robert Powers Offers to their Talent Your Comment: "I want to know of this is FAKE, and if imp going to do business with them would it waste the money that we currently dont even have." My Rebuttal: No this is not FAKE. Did you research the agent list that was in your information that you received to see what agents have been to JRP in the last 6 months? If you did attend the audition on 3-08-08 there was a Local Agent there? Research them they are REAL. Also if you dont have the money dont bad mouth JRP. We did not pressure you we gave you options.

They got your number by buying "leads" from companies that collect information and sell it. They are trolling for customers. You can get the same, and better, classes through other avenues that are not as expensive. They may offer you a "scholarship." Which means you pay less money, but you have to pay something. They can make up the difference by making you pay for photos. Paying your money to them, in any amount, just serves to feed the monster that is JRP. Their goal is to transfer as much money as they can from your pocket to theirs in the shortest amount of time possible. If you have already paid them, cancel through registered mail within 72 hours of signing your contract. If they don't refund your money, file an action in your "Small Claims Court." Do not wait to do this. They will not refund your money until they absolutely have to. I know the owner of the Newhall, CA, school wanted to take someone's rent money rather than refund it to them. They are heartless. They don't care about you, no matter how charming they appear. It's all an act.