John Casablancas Modeling School
To Whom It May Concern:
I just joined John Casablancas a couple of weeks ago
and I am just starting to notice what they are doing.
I don't know if I should keep taking the classes. They
are not giving me the classes I'm supposed to receive,
and when they do teach, they don't teach me enough for
what I'm paying per class. They don't even teach me what
I need to learn. They just sit there.
Can you please tell me what to do or give me some advice,
because I'm paying a lot for nothing. I know I have the
talent; I just don't know where to go to perfect it and
not be scammed.
Thank you,
L.S.
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently enrolled in the John Casablancas school in
Illinois.
When I called there, I asked them if they worked with
models who did not attend their school, because I felt
that I did not need a school to be successful.
A man there told me that they did, but he needed to
meet me to determine whether or not I needed the classes.
He told me that he wanted me to come there for two days
just to do a class on posing and runway, and on the second
day we would do my photo shoot and get my comp cards
done. The total cost would be about $900.
I told him I thought that was kind of expensive for
classes I didn't need, and he said the reason I was paying
so much was for the pictures, not the classes. He also
told me that he would be using me at least twice a month
for modeling jobs, because he was hiring 14 new girls
who would be very busy.
When I called him to ask if they were doing my hair
and makeup for the pictures, he said no; the point of
the class was to teach me to do it myself. I would think
for that much money they would at least do my makeup.
Well, I later found out that all of the money I would
be paying was just for the classes. They offer a free
photo shoot when you pay in full. I also found out that
they are not an agency, and they cannot get me jobs.
They can only offer placement assistance and possibly
get me signed with their affiliate agency (MTM).
Everything he told me was a lie! I would also have to
pay extra to get my slides, negatives, prints, and comp
cards, which would cost another couple hundred dollars.
Luckily they only got my $100 deposit, which I will
not be able to get back.
I wonder how many girls fall for this. The only way
to be a successful model is to go directly to a real
AGENCY with photos to see if they will accept you. MODELING
SCHOOLS ARE A BIG WASTE OF MONEY. DON'T TRUST THE PEOPLE
WHO WORK AT MODELING SCHOOLS.
A.F.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a 13-year-old aspiring actress/model. I have been
interested in acting since kindergarten when I did my
first play. Around two years ago I became interested
in modeling.
Last weekend I was with my cousin at the mall, Wolfchase
Galleria, in Memphis, TN. I was approached
by a scout who looked to be in her early twenties.
She asked my cousin and I if we were interested in modeling
and acting. She told me a little about the company she
was working for, John Casablancas.
I decided to fill out the card just for the fun of it.
I put my name, age, and phone number on the card.
Two days later, I was called in for an "audition." I
went there and found out I was auditioning along with
about 20 other hopefuls, ranging in age from nine to
late thirties.
We all had to walk the runway and tell a little about
ourselves and smile so they could see our pearly whites.
After we had all done this, the director (who shall
remain nameless) told us a little about the company.
She explained how 95% of all of her models moved on to
bigger and better things, and only 5% "fell through
the cracks."
She said she guaranteed all of her models jobs. She
said she would get 15% from the models' salaries. She
told us she would call back five from the group. If we
didn't get a call back in 48 hours, we weren't chosen.
The next day when I was doing homework my mom received
a phone call. She kept smiling at me, but she wouldn't
tell me who it was.
After she had hung up, she explained how I had gotten
a call back and I would need to be at John Casablancas
by 5:30 pm. It was an hour from where I lived. So I would
have to leave by 4:30, but I was also staying after school
for an academic program, which I'd have to cut short,
to make my call back.
When we arrived, I passed by another young lady whom
I remembered from the audition as she came from the office.
I wasn't surprised because she was very pretty and had
previous modeling experience.
I had gotten there about 15 minutes early, but they
agreed to see me. I had to bring a snapshot with me.
After waiting for about 25 minutes, the director, who
I'll refer to as R., called me into her office.
She began to ask me questions, some of which I thought
were a little... odd.
"If you get rejected from an audition, would you
be willing to go to another?"
"Yes," I answered reluctantly.
"And what about a third audition, if you were rejected
from the second?"
Again I answered, "Um, sure."
After a few more minutes of questions like that, she
started to comment on me. She told me I had gorgeous
lips, I was so tiny, and I would make a perfect runway
model.
Then she asked me if I was more interested in acting
or modeling. I told her acting. She was a little disappointed,
and told me she'd put me in modeling anyway.
Next she began to describe the company. She told me, "Now,
you are a very pretty young lady, but I have to warn
you: Don't come here with stars in your eyes: I can't
guarantee you jobs."
Didn't she tell me the complete opposite a few days
earlier?!
"And trust me, you will need to be refined a little
before I can put you out. That's where the modeling classes
come in."
Oh, no. Immediately my mom asked, "Exactly how
much will they cost?" My mama always gets straight
to the point.
R. pulled out a few sheets of paper, and began to describe
the costs: "Well, if you pay in full, it'll only
cost approximately $1,700."
ONLY!
"But we do have payment plans. With the payment
plans, because of interest, it'll cost around $2,000."
My mom gave me that look I immediately understood. We
wouldn't be able to afford them. I knew it. But it didn't
really bother me. We had just moved here, and my dad
was the only one working. We weren't struggling, but
we just couldn't fit modeling classes into the plan.
R. kept pressuring us about the classes and payment
plans. My mother politely told her that she'd have to
think about it, and give her a call later. Which I knew
meant there would be no classes for me.
We said a brief farewell. On the way out, while returning
to our car, I passed three other hopefuls from the other
day, and another on her way in. Including me, that made
six from the other day, and who knows how many from earlier.
I guess John Casablancas wasn't as selective as previously
mentioned.
I was a little disappointed and hurt. My mom was mad.
She started fussing about how they could have mentioned
the classes at the audition, etc., etc.
Today is Friday; the classes start tomorrow; and I don't
think I'll be joining anytime soon.
While I was asleep today, my mom got a call from my
brother in Jacksonville, where a John Casablancas office
is located. He explained how his friend had gotten involved
in JC, but he had never gotten a job, and lost all his
money he had invested in the classes.
I figured it was just a rumour, but after helping my
mom type a resume, I decided to go online and do a little "research." I
typed in "John Casablancas modeling" in the
Google search engine.
It listed a few JC websites where you could learn about
modeling classes. I was about to exit, but decided to
scroll down a little more, and that's how I found this
website.
After reading the
letter by R.B., and seeing how much
it resembled my own experience, I read the letter
aloud to my mother and her friend.
My mom said she was going to call the BBB about JC.
I decided to write this message. I just wanted to tell
my story and let people know to be a little careful with
John Casablancas.
Hopefully, you will post this email from a 13-year-old
aspiring actress, who is disappointed after her encounter
with John Casablancas.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
K.O.
To Whom It May Concern:
I just wanted to give some advice regarding John
Casablanca Modeling and Career Centers based
on my own personal experience.
I took their Plus-Size TV / Print class in Brookfield,
WI. I met a lot of great people and had a lot of fun.
The result was a few modeling jobs, no promises, of
course. I was one of the tallest in the class, so I did
get a few more jobs than the other girls. However, I
just wasn't getting any big jobs.
Ironically, none of the students I spoke with seemed
to be getting any big jobs, either (regardless of their
size, race, age, etc...).
Around the same time, we all began to notice the director
of the school on in-store advertisements, billboards,
and in ads.
After asking one of our instructors, it turns out that
the director, regardless of her position, has first dibs
on any jobs that come in.
Our instructor said this is true for any of the agency
staff. They all see the jobs first. Our instructor said: "Don't
tell anyone, but we can eliminate any portfolios we feel
would be competition."
I wish I would have known this before I signed up. It's
good to ask if the staff (including the director) compete
with students for modeling jobs.
And, if they do compete for jobs, how is the portfolio
selection made for the customer? Is there a diverse range
of faces and experience in the pile, or is it a pile
of staff portfolios?
Although I would naturally think this is bad work ethic,
it obviously does happen (the proof stared at me from
an in-store wall ad at a department store as I shopped
for an outfit for my final pictures at John Casablanca!).
Just something to keep in mind when you hand over a
check for $1,500 with a promise that you or your child
has "what it takes." If you truly have "what
it takes" to be a great model, your picture may
not be in the pile of potentials.
E.Y.
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