John Robert Powers industry: is it for real?

[Pretty Little Me!]

Has has anyone heard of this company called John Powers? I recieved a phone call out of the blue last week from them. They said someone had told them that a person at this number was interested in acting, and that they wanted me to come down for an audition. So I did. There were a couple hundred people there, mostly little kids but some older. Apparently it's a place where they help people get into acting or modeling for all kinds of different things. At the beginning they gave this big spiel about how the company has put through people like Danny DeVito and Lucille Ball. Then they had everyone meet individually with a representative. I told the guy I was interested in voice-acting and he sad that was great, that in a couple of weeks the casting director for "Ice Age II" would be coming down and auditioning people, which I thought was pretty neat, But then he sad that if I get called back tomorrow, the next step would be acting classes, which are pretty expensive.
Now everyone I've ever talked to in my theatre classes has always said that if any agency ever asks you for money for acting classes or other fees before you get a job, it's a bad thing. But they made it quite clear that this isn't an agency. So does this sound like something that's on the up-and-up, or just a scam to get people's money by dazzling people with big names and famous stars? I'd like it to be the former, but I'm just not sure.

[Merr]

I found this (http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/johnrobertpowers.html) on google

Looks like it's pretty much a scam

EDIT: Also, I'm pretty sure Ice Age II would've finished recording a while ago, so they're probably just trying to rope you in

[ClymAngus]

OK firstly, Ice age 2. The first thing they lay down is the voice track (cos ya need that to animate too). For that kind of gig, the unions would be all over it. Looking at the stuff Merr picked up (excellent job Merr by the way) These guys see a lot of business, but it's pulling money off actors not productions.

Sorry to say this, but if it sounds too good to be true. It probably is. At least around this community you've got a good chance of getting together a demo reel, for free, no strings. :)

[Maverick]

They called me too. And believe me, they're mostly interested in themselves. While they will in fact train you, it will be for obscenely large amounts of money, at inconvenient times.

It's really all about enlightened self-interest, and the directors and casting calls they have are few and far between. They're in it to make money;as we all are. Nothing more.

[topleka]

Urk. I have a friend who auditioned for them once. They told her she could be in a JC Penny ad, but they wanted her to take some classes first. The classes didn't fit her schedule at all, so she refused, but yeah. O_o

I'm curious though, how are they getting these numbers? I'd be really creeped out if they called me. ^_^;;

[Pretty Little Me!]

I'm curious though, how are they getting these numbers? I'd be really creeped out if they called me. ^_^;;

At the end of the application fill out when you get there, it says: "Name two people you know who would be interested in this company" and it also asks for their phone numbers. So I imagine that someone else who auditions and knows your number puts your name down, thinking, "This is something so-and-so might like to do, too." I personally left that part blank.

Thanks for the info, everyone. I'm debating whether or not to go down there for my callback tonight, just to see what goes down. But if they ask for a bunch of money up front, I'm outta there.

[Little_Phoenix]

Okay- that is making me suspicious.
First off, i didn't think JRP was in the habit of calling people out of the blue, and i didn't think they had massive open calls. They have showcases, but not open calls, that i know of.
JRP used to be a major name in modeling training and finishing schools back in the 1920's, and a lot of big names got their training there. But these days there's a LOT of branches out there, and not all of them are up to the same standards.
There are hundreds of branches all over the country, and a few internationally. So basically, it depends which branch you're in contact with. You can't really even say what size markets they're better or worse in. Big cities are easier to hide in, but little markets are so off the radar, they can get away with murder.
I actually took a class there- well, it was more of a summer workshop: 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 weeks- at the Philadelphia branch. I originally went there because they do a good job (i wouldn't say representing, so...) promoting petite models. All the other modeling agencies in Philly demand you be over 5'7", so i went there. They gave me a brochure for their classes, but after my audition they said i could be on file with them without actually taking any classes. I decided to take a class anyway because i'm very camera shy. I really didn't like having my picture taken, and if i'm to be in the entertainment industry, that's something i may want to get over!! (I'm fine with moving cameras, just not still-frame photos, in case you were wondering why i chose a career in film)
They were all very nice and supportive. I really liked it there, and i learned a lot about the business, runway modeling, hair and skin care, make-up, etc. Basically, i got a lot of information i would have had to pay an image consultant thousands to find out. And, at the end of the class, we had a photoshoot where i got headshots. They weren't the best in the world, but they were enough to get me started.
BUT (big but) JRP is not really a talent agency. They ocasionally receive breakdowns, and if you are constantly in touch with them and on their minds, you may get work. The work is mostly geared towards modeling, very little acting, and they never said ANYTHING to me about voice acting. JRP is, first and foremost, a modeling & finishing school.
So, i'd be leery of these folks who contacted you. Either they're a renegade branch not answering to the standards of the main corporation or they're people using the name of JRP to scam people. It's entirely possible.
Just remember the general rules:
#1. Never pay to work. If they say you need to hand over money (for fees, "processing", classes, whatever) in order for them to keep you on file, find you work, etc. it may not be a true scam, but it's certianly bull $#^%. I'd be really leery of someone who demanded you take classes before they allow you to go to an audition. That's not common practice anywhere, and i'd report those people to the main branch of JRP.
#2. No one can promise you work. They can promise you auditions up to whazoo, but no one can promise you will get work- that's up to you.
#3. If someone calls you and you did not give them your number, find out where they got it, and don't stop asking until you get a decent answer.
#4. Never give out your home number! You'd be amazed at how much i can find out about a person with just a phone number, just by using Google. Use a cell phone or get a toll-free number (you can sign up for a service that gives you an untracable 1-800 number that rings directly to your home)
#5. Never give out your home address. Get a PO Box or use your agent's address. (Course, i don't even give my home address to my agents bcs. they're slime, but that's my damage)
I know- i'm being totally preachy, but i've been out of school and in the biz for a little over a year and i've learned so much i'm considering writing a book.
All in all, i'd be leery of this particular group of people, but know that JRP isn't a scam everywhere. Hope you find this helpful!!

[michelleann]

I auditioned for them back in HS. They're pretty much a scam. Like it was said above, will train for lots and lots of money.

I recommend avoiding any such schools/agencies.

[Pretty Little Me!]

Well, I went down there, and it was bogus. My Dad came with me (basically to ask the questions I wasn't sure how to ask myself and to help me say no), and the first thing the representative we met with did was to sit down and start talking about signing up for these classes. I'd been told I was going to get to sing for the guy and read some lines, but apparently that was only to come after I'd signed on and given him the money. He also became rather defensive when my Dad started asking about the credibility of the place and why he needed the money up front. He said several times that if we had doubts, "we really shouldn't be sitting here right now." At one point he even said that if we weren't interested, he had other work he could be getting done right now. That is not acceptable. If you want to gain clients, don't tell them they're wasting your time because they aren't jumping aboard at the snap of your fingers.
So thanks for putting me on my guard, everyone. I'm really glad I didn't go through with it. I can now use all that money towards my college tuition, where I can keep taking legit theatre courses. ^_~.

[Little_Phoenix]

I know i said it before, but now that you've been there and seen how they treated you, i'm totally serious, report them to the JRP hq! If you don't have the time to do it, send me all their info and i'll report them. I'm very surprised to hear of a JRP branch acting that way, and they're totally not playing by the rules. I'm shocked the guy treated you that way!! Where was this place located, anyway?? It really saddens me to see someone scamming and marring their name like that, esp. after i had such a good experience there.

[aLLoFtHEEaBOVE]

I see everybody posting fairly negative comments about JRP, and I have to say that I must disagree. The best things in life may be free, sure, but it takes money to make money and you have to remember that. In the entertainment industry, sure we get in for the love, but it's all about who you know--and most of the time you meet the right connections in this industry by spending money to place yourself in the right predicaments to start mingling with these people. People with money like to see you spend money. Think about it. Why do you go to college? 15% education (if you go for what your true calling is) and 85% networking. Or you can spend your life wondering around on a wing and a prayer. I sent my son to JRP and it's been a wonderful experience for both of us, but you have to be in it not only for the right reasons, but understanding the business. That's why so many talented people never make as far as they can, because they get so lost in the love that they don't respect the business. Philly's JRP has been rated a #1 modeling and finishing school/agency for at least seven years and has legitimately produced stars. This is a cut throat industry, and if ain't got it or ain't willing to put out to get, you may never have it. Besides, if you're a voice actor, then you shouldn't be pursuing a modeling and acting agency anyway. Try mikelemoncasting.com, they have a great voice over section of their agency--and maybe take a business course (preferably dealing with entertainment or entrepreneurship while you're at it)

[Sukisho]

Did you notice that this is from 2005?..it's so old. Necroposting is bad.

[Nikki Wright]

Well, Alloftheabove...

Aside the fact that it seems that you signed up, just to necropost about John Roberts Powers..

According to NBC.com (http://www.2nd-tier.com/showfax_bbs/index.cgi?noframes;read=4985), modellingscams.com [1 (http://www.modelingscams.com/letters/elle/letters.elle.001.html), 2 (http://www.modelingscams.com/letters/imta/letters.imta.05.html)], ripoffreport.com (http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/211/ripoff0211227.htm).. amongst others, John Robers Powers is, indeed, a scam.

I would like to remind everyone that if a company asks you for money up front, it is most definitely a scam. Don't go for it, as you will be taken.

[humphrey]

Hi my name is humphrey odunwo ans i will soon become a part of the john robert powers angency what i dont understand is that people are visiting varios different john robert powers in different cities but mabye its where they are based an d who is running it i will soon be part of the london based angecy and they took me on after my audition i dont belive it is a scam they said to me and my little sister that they will spnsor one and we will pay for one now isnt that to good to be true they will sponsor me finacially and everything but we pay for one i belive thats far getting auditions over a year period is good and finacially it helps mabye some people jsut cant afford it thats why they are saying its a scam

[Nikki Wright]

You should not have to pay an upfront fee to an agency - If the agency feels that you have the "look" or enough talent to earn them money, they will sign you without any such fees. If you have to pay, you are being taken for a ride.

I really doubt reputable news sources such as NBC.com are incapable of affording their immensely expensive fees, so I really don't see any validity to your poorly written argument.

Also, I'm closing this thread to prevent any more trolls from signing up. This is getting ridiculous.