I don't get what's the deal with John Robert Powers?

Question

People are saying it's a scam. Why? And can someone tell me the REAL prices for classes there. I don't get why people are saying it's bad because a few people actually landed roles on shows & movies. Like Brenda Song. Someone please help me out here?? Thanks :)

Answer 1

lol thats one person out of how many thousand...

why should anyone have to go to acting school? if your an actor your an actor... people practice for years and years learning to act without going to agencies... in california you see thes people in malls hopping all over you saing "how would you like to be on tv?" then asking you to sign a contract then come to their school...its kind of like you have it or you dont... i guess it can be a way to get your foot in the door if you dont know how to audition.. but often times people end up pouring thousands of dollars in and going nowhere...

Answer 2

I might not go so far as to use the word scam, but agencies, agents, private schools for the craft, are in business for the sole purpose of profit.

  I'll never stopped being amazed by the number of questions that relate to agencies, agents, scouts, being the best way to go.

Answer 3

JRP wants money up front in order to represent you. That is NOT how reputable agents work. Also - reputable agents may suggest that you do a class here or there - but they don't tell you that you HAVE to take THEIR classes if you want to be any good and then overcharge you for them. The classes at JRP are usually not taught by anyone with many credentials.

If you are going to sign with them - I suggest you ask a LOT of questions - and get things in writing. Ask about the credentials of their teachers. Do they have MFAs in acting? Highly unlikely. Also - ask them why you need to pay them anything upfront in order to be signed with them. It only makes sense that if they get you work - that they'll get a percentage of your pay - and if they don't get you work - they should not get anything. So why in the world would you have to pay them anything upfront? Ask them also - specifically - how many teachers and agents at THIS particular school had anything to do with anyone who is now famous. If they claim they have - ask for it in writing. Tell them you want to trust them - but you've heard so many negative things that you have to make sure they are on the up and up. If they are NOT scam artists - they'll be happy to answer your questions and give you their claims in writing. However - usually when you ask questions and ask for things in writing - scammers will get very defensive. That's pretty much proof of the scam.

You're much better off to go and take an acting class at a Jr. College in your area. The professors are required to have credentials - you'll learn more - and depending on what state you are in - it probably won't cost nearly as much.

Answer 4

A friends daughter went to JRP and took some classes.  The mom sent her daughters picture to a local talent agent, got an interview and they signed her daughter.  Yipee!  Right?  Well the first thing the agent said to the mom was "Remove any reference to JRP from  your daughters resume.  JRP is considered a huge joke in this industry and nobody will take her seriously if they see that on her resume."

One other thing.  JRP is a school.  They are not an agency as in they don't activly seek jobs for you.  They'll let you and everybody else know of any auditions in the area but they don't set up appt. for you.  They also have agents fly in from L.A and stuff and you can go and audition for them but I've NEVER heard of anyone getting discovered that way.  These agents are paid to come.  To my knowledge they've never told a kid they didn't have what it takes.  They always give positive feedback.  Why?  So you'll keep paying your money and keep that branch of JRP in business.  Many many years ago JRP was a respected name in the industry but today it's known for bleeding parents dry.

I could go on and on but I think you get the message.  If you have the money to spare you'd be better off giving it to a local charity than lining the pockets of flim flam artists.

Answer 5

Persanolly i think John Robert Powers is great.. i auditioned to get into it and did.. the prices are a little expensive, but it's worth it 20weeks for about $2000 and then it goes up depending on how long you want to take classes for, they help you with your resume, get head shots and give you great acting tips.. after they help you look for auditions.. i've been to a few.. and i thought that it was great experience.

Answer 6

I'm a filmmaker, and it IS a scam.

It's legal, but it's a scam because they are making you think they are something they are not. They are pretending to be agents, who are going to get you work in the industry, and what they REALLY ARE, is a class/photog mill, where they charge over-priced charges to give you classes and take photos of you.

This is how the REAL business works:

1. An agent DOES NOT charge you any money to represent you. This is BY LAW. They get paid with a percentage of what you earn on the jobs they get you.

2. An agent NEVER gives classes, has photographers, etc.

I'll give you my personal story on JRP:

I'm a filmmaker.

I called them because I was casting a feature film. I said "Hi, I'm making a film, and I need actors. Can I audition some of your actors?"

The girl said "uhhh, I'm not sure I follow you"

I repeated: "I NEED actors, you HAVE actors, can I set up an audition?"

She said "I'm not sure we do that, I'll have to get back to you..."

And they never did.

Now, you are signing up, taking all these classes and photos, going to contests, and they're taking giant gobs of money from you, because you're hoping to get into the business.

And if someone DOES call them to cast, they just blow those people off, because they are getting their money from YOU.

That, to me, is a scam.