Is the John Robert Powers academy a scam?

Question

I got a call tonight saying they wanted me to try out for acting and someone recommended me for them. Is the J.R.P. academy a scam?

Answer 1

It is ABSOLUTELY a scam. They ask for money upfront. If you are going to be WORKING as a model or an actor - then why would they need money from you BEFORE they put you in a position to make money? Any talent agency of any kind that asks for money up front is a SCAM. If they think you are good enough to sign - they should sign you - and then they will get a percentage (10 - 20% usually) of whatever you make. That's how it works with reputable agencies. If John Robert Powers wants to work the deal any other way - they are scamming you. And if you meet with them - you should tell them exactly that! They also may try to get you to take their classes. Yet another way for them to get your money.

In some places John Robert Powers has become known as a huge scam and has started to call itself JRP. My advice is to stay away from them.

Answer 2

John Robert Powers Chicago

Answer 3

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RE:
Is the John Robert Powers academy a scam?
I got a call tonight saying they wanted me to try out for acting and someone recommended me for them. Is the J.R.P. academy a scam?

Answer 4

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They tell everyone that they were in the Top 10! I've gone to a few of the franchises and given REALLY BAD auditions just to see how selective they were. They obviously were NOT when they called me the next day saying that I got the highest ratings and gave me a chance to attend a few classes for free, RED FLAG! The classes that I went to were overcrowded filled with people who have no business to be actors. They were probably told by the JRP people that they also got the highest scores at the audition. The teachers were VERY unqualified. Most of the teachers from what I've gathered were struggling actors with very few credits teaching to pay their bills. John Robert Powers, Barbizon, and John Casablancas are all SCAMS! They are NOT agencies! They MISLEAD people into thinking that they are, but are NOT. LEGIT Agencies only make money when you do (10% for film/tv and commercials, 20% for commercial print). REAL AGENTS DON'T take $2000 upfront and DON'T make you take their subpar classes. YES! You'll be paying at least $2000 for crappy classes! A school for modeling is the biggest scam, period! When you get picked up by a LEGIT agency like Ford or Elite, they will teach you or hire coaches. They're not going to reject your resume because "oh, you don't have any modeling classes." If you don't think they're scams, then go waste thousands of dollars that could go towards good headshots and training from the BEST schools (JRP, JC, and Barb. are NOT the best!) Also, go to a major market like L.A. or N.Y. with those schools on your resume. You'll get LAUGHED out! Schools like Barbizon, JRP, and JC still exist because there are a lot of suckers trying to get into acting and for the money. They think that going to one school will be the answer and it's not. It's these schools that give them and feed off of those false promises. For every 100 people that go through these scammy schools and lose their money, there will always be that naturally talented kid that gets work and that these scammy schools take credit for. JRP-Banks on the name of a very famous and DEAD agent. They say that Lucille Ball, John Wayne, Barbara Walters, Heather Locklear, Peter Fonda, Jane Fonda, and many other famous actors went to the school, when NONE of them did! Some of those celebs even threatened legal action for using their names. So you see, they use bait and switch tactics. John Casablancas-The franchises have been known for unethical business practices and really have nothing to do with the founder's original intentions. Barbizon-It was legit back in the 70s and 80s. Now these franchises have been known for unethical business practices and false promises. These schools are OVERPRICED and DON'T provide the caliber training that more affordable and REPUTABLE schools like Howard Fine Studios, Ivanna Chubbuck, TVI Studios, Groundlings, Second City, Beverly Hills Playhouse, Stella Adler, William Esper Studios, Tom Todoroff, Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown, Margie Haber, etc. do. Go look those schools up! They are all respected by the industry and LEGIT!

Answer 5

I do not think they are a scam. They are very upfront about stating that they are not an agent. They are a school. They give you classes and advice on acting and modeling. They give you the opportunity to meet actual agents and producers in the industry and that's it. Any type of private school that you go to will cost money. If you dont feel you need any training and want to do all the work yourself to get interviews with agencies then I wouldn't suggest it for you. If you think you could benefit from classes to enhance your skills and want the ability to meet actual agents in the business without the extra legwork then it would work out for you and would not seem like a scam. I think its a scam to people who have the impression that they are actually getting an agent that is going to get them jobs and that's not the case. Ill give you another example...anyone who watches Real Housewives Atlanta...the business that cynthia opened is the same thing. Its a school. You go and audition for her and her staff to see if they feel you have possible potential and if they think you do then they offer you a chance to enroll in their classes. Certain people who take the classes she puts in front of major people in the industry and actual agents.

Answer 6

I agree with Lizzabizza. John Robert Powers is a "talent agency" the same way some employment agencies work.

They recruit for people to pay to be a part of them.

Stay away from John Robert Powers.

Have a nice day.

Answer 7

I'm 33 now, but when I was 16 years old I went here and they wanted money from us.

Answer 8

Yes, it's a well-known scam. This question has been asked and answered dozens of times in this forum; I recommend that you search the archives for previous responses.

Answer 9

no. its a school so no! :D people who say its a scam are idiots because its NOT an agency

Answer 10

Definitely. My friend has paid $8,000 for 5 years to be an actor/model.

Yeah. Right.