Modeling/acting

Updated on April 18, 2012
L.B. asks from San Jose, CA
13 answers

Do any of you have experience with John Robert Powers agency? My daughter is really interested in acting so I took her for an audition/interview there. She got a callback, they said they really liked her, said she was in the top 20. Do they say that to everyone? I think she's great and has a lot of potential but of course I am her mom. Just want to hear your stories please. Thanks!!!

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So What Happened?

Okay, so all of your answers tell me my gut instinct was right. We went this weekend and walked away from it since we are not going to give a company a huge chunk of our money without thoroughly checking it out. I definitely like Mamazita's suggestion of local theater since we have already discussed that with our daughter and it seems like a reasonable place to start. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!

Featured Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Yes they say that to everyone. They have been around since I was a kid and pretty much have had the same reputation. Makes me wonder how they stay in business.

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Whatever you do do NOT give them any money.
A reputable agency will represent your daughter if they like her and think they can book her. A reputable agency will NOT try to sell you classes or send you to a photographer for professional photos/portfolio.
If your daughter enjoys acting enroll her in some local children's theater groups, that's a great place to learn and get some experience :)

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

If you research them, you will find that they get you in the door, flatter you then have you take classes which cost a lot of money.
They don't seem real honest.
I had one of them stop my daughter in a mall. Said she would be SO great and has a perfect look blah, blah, blah.

Anyway, do your research.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

They have been around forever but do not have the best reputation.

I have a friend who is a booking agent for musicians. He gets emails from Ford Models all the time. They are constantly looking for child models.

I just saw something on TV abut the etrade commercials, the ones with the babies in high chairs. They actually do auditions every 6 months, babies grow.

Anyway go to fordmodels.com and upload pictures and see what kind of response you get. It costs you nothing.

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J.S.

answers from Columbia on

I do.

Skip it.

They do not callback everyone, but those they do required to get (and pay for) their own head shots and photos. I believe they also wanted a fee. They then put the pic into a mugshot book and simply offer the entire book to clients.

Zero personal service. Zero assistance. If ya got a grand or two just laying around...I'm sure they'll be happy to relieve you of it.

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K.G.

answers from San Diego on

Sorry to tell you that YES they say that to everyone. They will try and get you to pay for lots of classes. If a company truly wants to make your child a model or actress, it will cost you NOTHING. Please do not fall for JRP as you'll be spending lots of money only to have you and your daughter disapointed.

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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

I've been stopped in the mall by this agency asking if I'd like my daughters (they're identical twins) to be models. We had time, so I listened to the pitch. And holy cow - you have to shell out a lot of money if you're "approved".

Your daughter probably IS awesome and full of potential, but look for a modeling agency that's just that, not a place that also offers classes and wants money for headshots.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

OMG DO NOT sign anything with them. They are a huge rip off. ANYONE asking for so much as a penny from you or for you to sign up for classes..... RUN don't walk away. I've not even read the other answers yet.

Modeling is hard work and you must have a thick skin and be able to take a lot of rejection because it gets brutal. There is a lot of wasted time at casting calls, downright mean moms. Think about Toddlers and Tiaras x 3.

I've modeled most of my life and my 17 yr old models occasionally. If you send snapshots (no big deal portfolio is needed) to a reputable agency and if they like you, they will call you.

As for the acting, get into Children's theatre in your community. They get good exposure. Also, let her be in the school play, etc

Good luck

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R.P.

answers from Sacramento on

Just FYI - they get their money from the portfolio they will want to have made of her with head shots and other types of photo/stills which can be really expensive. This is what I have heard, but maybe I'm wrong.

If she is serious then it might be worth pursuing since they have to start somewhere and John Robert Powers has the reputation.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Write me privately. I used to work in casting for network TV shows. I can tell you what to do if SHE is really interested.

BTW - It never, ever, ever cost money to have a legitimate agent. Never.

1 mom found this helpful

R.H.

answers from Austin on

Put her in a local dance school and she wil get on the stage through them...

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L.D.

answers from Modesto on

JRP is a rip off. YEars ago when I was 25 I thought I would try modeling since I moved to a big city. They told me to take their classes and make a portfolio and I would be great. Did it. Ha, ha on me. Lost $700. In the back of my mind I knew I was only 5' 4", I knew 25 was too old to start modeling. But the desire outweighed my instinct. Luckily when they tried to get me to take a trip to New York (and pay a LOT of money to do it) my senses kicked in and I declined. I dropped them and trying to model entirely. Same goes for their "acting".Everyone that walks in their doors " will be great" and they "really like". I reality, do you ever hear of JRP models or any professional actor crediting JRP? No. Legitimate modeling agencies are Ford, Elite, Wilhelmina agencies and a few others. For talent they are WMA/Endeavor, Creative Artists Agency, International Creative Management, and United Talent Agency. THose are the legitimate, top line agencies. It should never cost you to sign with an agency. You will have to make a portfolio but you certainly don't have to do it through any particular agency. You can really only reach these agencies through mail or actually going to big city where they have offices. Involve your daughter in local dance, theater, choirs etc. to see what she thinks. If she likes it perhaps find her a legitimate acting coach. Acting is a tough business and only like .5% make it big and only about 5% ever make a living at it. Local productions/volunteering in theatre however can be a life long hobby that brings great pleasure. Good luck to your daughter.

1 mom found this helpful
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