Expert: Rusty Meyers - 1/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: my son has been taking acting classes at jrp memphis for two years. He is in LA now for IPOP. It is a JRP competition with 1,200 kids to compete and audition for many agents such as abrams,buchwald,universal and wilhemnia of LA. My son is 14yrs old and has received 6 callbacks with the above agencies. I am wondering if after reading your previous answer about JRP if they all work with JRP only and do not help these kids. I have spent many many thousands of dollars .....I just wanted to give my son a opportunity for success in this industry.

ANSWER: You will get nothing out of JRP, but bills.
Contact a SAG Franchised agency in your area.

He should be in school studying and taking classes
from people that are actually in the business.

Look up ALL coaches and casting directors etc...
on imdb.com if they aren't there they aren't in the business.

They are preying on you and your son.

They pay these agents to come to these "competitions" and if they find one or two kids out of it,
yeah they might sign them, but you can contact these agents directly.

Do you plan on moving to LA or NY anytime soon?

Then get your son OUT OF JRP and into a workshop that is directed by an actor or director
that has worked in the business (hopefully still is)
that knows and/or has worked in LA and/or NY that can lead you, and your son in the right direction.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First, Thank you!My husband is taking our son out in May to LA again. Is Proscout kind of like JRP or are they on the outside of the business also?

ANSWER: Why is he taking him to LA?
Not for a JRP thing is it?
Do you REALLY think that LA needs more actors?
What has your son ever done?
Plays, movies, sing, dance what?????
If he is just a "model" then all he needs a pictures.
If you haven't googled this "proscout" company and have gone to websites and check out "ALL" of the people working there then you need to do that BEFORE you do ANYTHING else.
I can say that I'm GOD on my own website, does that make it true?
If your son hasn't booked anything locally (commercials, tv shows, indie films) there in Memphis then what makes you or your husband think that he can do it in LA or NY.
He's now going up against children that have parents or brothers & sisters that are in the business.
If you haven't any connections in LA or NY, then you are wasting your time and money.
Unless your son is REALLY something special, albeit a look or a talent and who wants to do this so bad he's driving you crazy then ok.
But if he's never done a play or sang in a chior or band or taken a tap or jazz class or been in a drama workshop, and has blown EVERYONE away (not just you) in them all.
Having teachers and audience members alike that are going out of there way to tell him (and you) how good he is.
Then it's YOU that wants him to do this, not your son and you should STOP pushing him, let him be a kid.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you and I appreciate the info. My husband is taking him back out to LA to do commercial work for the summer. We are not moving. I do need to say , I am not a stage parent and have never pushed my child. I would rather spend my money on something much different. Trust!!!This is his dream, I want to give him as much of an opportunity that I can.... I as a parent just needs to find out if they are legitimate or not and you have helped me. He has done an independent film and he is looking for more opportunites.I do appreciate all of your help.Thanks again

Answer
He's going out to "do" commercial work?

Do you mean he's going out to study in a commercial workshop?

Or do you mean that he's auditioning for commercials?

If it is the later then he already has an agent that is submitting him to go to auditions,.

JRP is NOT AN AGENT, look them up with SAG or the BBB or what type of license they have.

If he doesn't have an agent, then he will NOT be seen for anything legit, PERIOD!

I'm glad that this is something he wants to do.

Have you ever called any of your local SAG franchised agents in Memphis (I know there are a few) to get him work there?

I wish you well.

BTW I hope that you also looked me up on imdb.com before you decided to write and ask for even my opinion.