CommentHundreds of parents were outraged on a recent Saturday, claiming a casting call in Phoenix, Arizona for young actors and models in the city was just a thinly veiled sales pitch for an expensive talent school.
The event was promoted via a series of radio ads that dropped the names of television shows such as Disney Channel's Hannah Montana and promised children the chance to audition in front of a prominent Hollywood casting agent.
While it delivered on that promise - Corbin Bronson, a casting associate whose credits include Monk and Battlestar Galactica, was on hand to screen test kids - the audition was organized by the John Robert Powers school, an international talent centre that used the event to promote its acting and modeling workshops.
Barbara Bowie, who regularly brings her two daughters to professional auditions, says the radio ads were misleading.
"This is entirely about getting us to spend money on the workshops," she said. "I'm very upset."
According to promotional materials for the school obtained by The StarPhoenix, the price tag for classes ranges from $1,950 to $5,900.
"So you have to pay for your child to be talented?" said Karen Ehr, standing in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn where the auditions took place. Ehr, who felt "hosed" by the school, says breaking the news to her 12-year-old daughter, Kelsey Warden, was terrible. "I feel sick," Ehr said after telling Kelsey that she wouldn't be attending the school.
Tas Steiner, a Los Angeles-based spokesperson for John Robert Powers was unavailable for comment Saturday.
 Comments (3) |  |
| 1. Written by Lindsey, on 13-10-2009 21:32 I work at JRP Scottsdale. We have NEVER been to the Hilton Gardens hotel. We were recently at the DoubleTree Paradise Valley resort. Whoever posted the above complaint is confused with another company and NOT JRP. Please get your info right and revise your post! |
| 2. Written by Heres their sorry excuses, on 06-06-2009 12:00 I just want to say again I am sorry. I understand you are doing what you feel is necessary. Please know I have been trying to get these photos out for a long time. When I first started I was under the impression they were done. As you know that was not the case, and we had to start from scratch around January. It has come to my attention part of the problem was also because the printer we use was in the process of moving. I don't know what the delay is now. I talked to Diana briefly before she called your cell phone and she was talking about going to someone else. I personally understand your frustration, whatever you decide I will try to help. I just feel bad because I feel like I haven't really been able to help much with this situation. Let me know if I should be expecting a cancellation letter to the office. Just send it to my attention so I can begin processing. LINDSAY F Thanks! JRP Scottsdale 9059 E. Bahia Dr. #100 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480.424.7197 480.947.5046 fax www.jrpsouthwest.com |
| 3. Written by melissa k, on 06-06-2009 11:23 John Robert Powers Scottsdale,Az is a SCAM they scammed us out of 2000 dollars! They never gave us the 550 dollar photos we purchased and then they gave our bank a fake receipt claiming we picked them up. They emailed us and came up with every excuse why they didnt have our photos, The printer was broke, its being moved etc. Instructors left my daughter standing their she called me crying because her teachers didnt show for work. |
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