John Robert Powers Modeling
School
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently took my daughter to a casting call for John
Robert Powers.
The place that has the world-renowned "Kerri." Who
is Kerri?
Being a rookie, I had no idea what to expect.
We met with a lady for 10 minutes, then my daughter
went in front of "Kerri" and several others,
in front of a camera for about 45 seconds, and then we
were let go.
This was on a Sunday and I was scheduled to call back
on Wednesday, but I did not call back, because the classes
she would need to attend were $1,275.
That is just too much for my single-parent pocket book.
Well, to my surprise, they called me on Thursday, and
told me wonderful things.
My daughter is beautiful, articulate, well spoken, and
just right for seven-year-olds, and is extremely marketable,
and also one of their top three picks out of thousands
of children that were seen over that weekend.
Of course she is —you must know my daughter to
appreciate that. I have all the confidence in the world
that she has what it takes to do it, and she does, too.
My daughter must take these classes, she proceeds to
tell me, because the clients don't want to find someone
and then shape them. They want them already molded.
So she cut me a deal on the classes, and I would put
$500 down, and then make three month's worth of payments
to pay the remainder off. I would have to work 60 hours
a week to do this, but it's my daughter.
John Robert Powers also told me my
daughter would go on interviews immediately. Perhaps
even do some back-to-school fall fashion ramp shows,
and that she could be picked up by Disney, Nickelodeon,
or even McDonalds.
I am extremely torn, and don't have much time to decide
with the appointment to sign her up scheduled for tomorrow.
I could use some information regarding this company,
and any other information you think would help me in
deciding mine and my daughter's fate.
I was also told by this lady (Jeanetta) that they have
to keep several "looks" in stock, so to speak,
for clients to view. They must have a selection.
My daughter is blonde with brown eyes (big), and seven,
and they need that in stock.
What is the John Robert Powers success
rate, and what should I look out for?
Thank you,
C.M.
C.,
Sorry if this response is later than expected. I've
only just read this message and it's now 7/31. Your subject
line said your appointment was set for 7/30.
In any case, there should be at least three days to
reconsider contracts, etc., time for a refund. In some
states there is a three-day cooling-off period; in others
like California there is a ten-day cooling-off period.
The site recently received a letter from another single
mother whom a modeling firm wanted to sign up for classes.
She also had limited finances. They tried to convince
her to pay, but she decided not to sign up her children
for modeling classes.
You asked the right question. What is the answer to
your final question? What is the success rate? Did they
not tell you? You should have been told.
You could ask them if they forgot to tell you. Do you
think if it was high, the success rate would be the first
thing they would tell you? And they would not somehow
forget to tell you?
Regarding your daughter you said they told you: "She
must take these classes... because the clients don't
want to find someone and then shape them."
This is not what I read about teen models. In fact,
it is just the opposite. Modeling agencies, it has been
said, pass on aspiring models who were trained at schools,
because the agencies will have to, but don't want to,
retrain them.
The curriculum at John Robert Powers is not a standard
curriculum. Is it? There is no industry standard curriculum
approved by a central education organization in the modeling
industry.
That means they can make up any curriculum and they
are not held accountable, either for who teaches or what
they teach. And, more importantly, they can and apparently
do teach what modeling agencies don't want them to be
taught!
I have never heard of a seven-year-old child being asked
to attend modeling classes. Students at modeling classes
are usually about twice her age.
It could be different for seven-year-old children. But
why not call the big names they "paraded in front
of you," as it were, and ask if they want pre-molded
children. Make no reference to John Robert Powers in
your conversation.
Let me ask you this. Is there a quote they gave you
or several from clients who said they want pre-shaped
children? Or did they just make it up to convince you
to pay them more than a thousand dollars?
Where are you located? Why not call modeling agencies
which focus on kids? Ask them what standards they have,
what needs to be taught, and if, like other agencies,
model training is free.
The president of a modeling and talent agency recently
wrote and said modeling schools are a complete scam.
He also said his agency provided model training free.
This is how it usually works. It is part of the assumed
responsibility of reputable modeling agencies to develop
their models.
You have to ask an agency where there is no clear conflict
of interest. There is a clear conflict of interest with
any company offering modeling classes.
One question begs to be asked of modeling agencies: "Do
you send your models to school after they are signed?
Do you send them to John Robert Powers?" (Is it
relevant?)
Here's another question that begs to be asked of modeling
agencies: "Will you refuse to sign a model who has
not been trained at John Robert Powers?" and "Do
you refuse to sign models who have not been trained,
period?"
The important thing at this point with regards to JRP
if they refuse to or cannot answer your question regarding
their success rate, with or without proof, or even if
they do, is to shop around.
Find modeling agencies in your area, and ask them what
they require, who they are looking for.
It is also important to discover how much work is available
for any model in your region, and especially for children.
Many of the scams out there would fail if there was
a requirement of full discloure about how much work was
available in the area.
I take it you are in Colorado. If so, here are some
modeling agencies to contact and ask questions. (None
of these have been checked and they are not being endorsed.)
http://www.donnabaldwin.com/ (Denver, CO)
JEANINE'S MODELING & TALENT (Denver, CO)
Kidskits Inc (Denver, CO)
Marbles Kids Management Inc.
http://www.maxtalent.com/
Thank you so much for your response. I inadvertently
put 7/30, and the appointment in fact is today 7/31.
Sorry.
I went to this "cattle call" just on a whim,
knowing NOTHING about the business. I have done some
research, and with your help I know some questions to
ask, and things to investigate.
To tell you the truth, I have read and heard nothing
positive.
They did not state their sucess rate. I never asked,
caught up in the Glam that MY daughter was going to be
a star, and the sad thing is I like to consider myself
a smart woman. They just named some people they have
represented who have made it in the "Big Time."
I did not know the curriculum at John Robert Powers
is not a standard curriculum, etc.
You have enlightened me on the Modeling World, and have
given me some ammo. Like I said, I am making wine and
don't know what grapes are, in a manner of speaking.
I want to be an informed consumer, and mother, and able
to make financially wise and productive decisions.
Your message reached me in time, and I cannot say enough
how much your input is appreciated.
Keep up the good work. We need folks like you to protect
the ignorant like us.
Thank you,
C.M.
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