Complaint Review: John Robert Powers - Raleigh North Carolina

I looked in the phone book and found JRP because I wanted to get into acting and model printwork. I was scheduled for an audition on that following Saturday. I came dressed professionally, full of enthusiasm and very excited. There were many children with their parents. I was one of the few adults who was there to audition. I was asked to sign in and write a 100 word paragraph on why JRP should work with me. They then started this presentation from (I think) the International Director of JRP (but as he talked, he mentioned he was from Carolina) but I overlooked that. (You did what any professional actor would do, so that's great! Im sure it was a little odd to be one of the only adults there, but you stayed with it, and that shows dedication and promise, kudo's to you!) What got me was that they stressed that you probably was not going to be called back because their clients' time were very limited and they only wanted the best (mostly because their reputation was on the line). Most of us would be rejected a lot and we were then told the story about how Danny Devito went on 101 auditions before he finally made it. We were told that not always the prettiest face made (i.e. Rosanne Barr) but the one who was most determined. Many were not of the runway requirements and they did not want children with a GPA under 3.0. We were also told that Jessica Miller and Brenda Song were graduates (I saw Laurence Fishburn on the national site and I'm shocked.). Mind you, I had shared my excitement with all my friends and family before this but I received an email from one of my sisters from church and she had already given me a 'heads up' on the process. I told her thanks but I didn't think that with my training and experience, I wouldn't be hit nearly her $6,000 she was asked for her son's training (by the way, she found out how they ranked via BBB, which she also sent to me). So after the 15-20 minute talk, I was interviewed privately. I told them I was a singer and that I just wanted to be successful at whatever I discovered my talent to be. I was then told that despite I had previous experience doing printwork, I still needed training. The original price quoted to me was $2900 for 30 weeks. I asked if I could make payment arrangements and I was told you had to pay by check or money order. I was told that I needed to take the acting classes. I was also told to come back the next day to audition for the vocal training. I then went on do my commercial read and was told to call the next day at 10a. The next morning, I called to find out that I made the callback list. The lady that I talked to told me how impressed they were with my dress and energy and enthusiasm. She then tells me she wants to schedule me for later that evening to get me registered and to go over things they were going to help with. But she needed to know whether I would be paying by check or credit card. I told her that I wasn't aware that I was suppose to pay this on my callback. (It was never mentioned in the salespitch nor the closed-door interview.) She then tells me, she knew she told me and that I just didn't hear her. So I apologized. I was then asked if I had discussed the book (mainly the money amount) with my husband. I told her that I didn't get a chance and she immediately told me that she could not go on any further with the scheduling until I had talked with him. So, she gave me a half hour time frame to call her back because she wanted me back in that evening. So, I called her back and I asked her first, What guarantee could they give me as far as jobs? I was told that like anyone who graduates from school, it's up to you how successful you are. You have to go out and get it.; second, I asked why are you required to pay upfront? Why couldn't we just come back for our second reading? I was told that because she was spending a half hour with me, they didn't have time to waste on people who didn't take this seriously. She sounded so sympathetic that I had raw talent and there was a market for me and it would be ashame for me to waste 8 mos. to a year waiting to audition again. (You did the right thing by asking questions. Most people gloss over details, and jump to conclusions.) I began to panic because I didn't want my opportunity to go to waste. So I promptly called my son hoping he would loan me the money. Of course being the city person he is, he told me I was being scammed. He said, if they want you they'll pay you. (This is untrue. JRP is a school, and they will not pay you for you to take classes.) You shouldn't have to pay for something that's not guaranteed!! (One major thing to understand, in this business, there are NO GUARANTEES!!! If anyone says they can guarantee you work, they are scamming you. JRP will tell you they can put you in front of agents, CD's and managers, but that doesn't guarantee you will get work.) After that phone call, my husband called back. I guess he didn't want to be so blunt like my son and told me go to the internet and see if there were any complaints. I found this website and I was so hurt and angry at what they've done to people like me who can't afford their fees, but believed this was a tool to help them fulfill their dream. (I don't want to sound rude at all, but if you cannot afford the tuition here, its just not the right thing for you to do. I know people who have maxed out credit cards here. I hate seeing that, but you have to be reasonable and smart. Some people think they can come here, take a few classes, and get noticed by an agent and get rich and famous. Not saying this can't happen, but I sure won't tell you it happens often. You have better chances at winning the lottery. JRP is a school that offers training in the field of entertainment. The teachers are well-qualified, and the administration does everything it can to help out its students) Not only did I research JRP but I looked up the other top agencies and found similar stories. This is absolutely criminal and upaulling!!! Please do your research before you invest. I'm embarassed and have a broken heart, but that will go away... but saving myself or someone thousands of their hard-earned dollars (priceless!!) (I don't know if you assumed JRP was an agency, but they are simply a school. When agents and CD's look for talent, they look at their resume, and if there's no training on it, they will NOT take you seriously. This business is extremely difficult to make a lot of money in. Most, and by most I mean over 85% of all actors make less than $15,000 a year. JRP did the right thing by telling you they cannot guarantee you work. And no one will pay for you. You've got to earn your dues...I know you know this. If you want this career bad enough, you do need training, regardless of where you decide to train. I wish you all the best with your journey!) Anonymous Garner, North Carolina U.S.A.