Carolyne Barry Creative Entertainment Acting Workshop Carolyne Barry cold-hearted, not understanding, Money grabber, Scammer, Collection agency, short tempered Los Angeles, California

I'm a commercial director, living and working in LA for many years now.  On occasion, I will speak at one of Carolyne's classes.  Here's the deal, Carolyne is a no-nonsense pro.  She gives her students amazing tools for their career, specifically their commercial career (where everyone starts).  I wouldn't say Carolyne's style is cold, uncaring... but it's not all warm and fuzzy either.  Believe me, there are enough warm fuzzy goofy acting classes out there that make you feel "safe" and "good" but do very little for your acting technique or motivate you to grow as an actor.  Carolyne is valuable because she won't BS you, she'll make you better.  I'd like to suggest that many of the young actors today can't take a creative note without getting flustered.  This is a tough business, you are an adult, you need to develop a thicker skin and embrace feedback... especially the negative.  

 The gentleman who started this thread has a lot of growing up to do in this industry veteran's opinion.  He starts out by saying Carolyne wouldn't give him a discount (and how cold hearted this is).  The next time you go to your doctor, or the movies, see if you can get a discount when you explain your budget problems to them.  Carolyne is trying to run a business, she has built up a brand and is entitled to set a value for it.  Also, to be fair, perhaps Carolyne's program isn't for everybody.  I took a directors course years ago (unrelated to Carolyne Barry), dropped $1,000, went to perhaps 3 classes before I finally conceded this guy was teaching me very little and not worth the stressful drive into the valley.  I did ask for money back minus the 3 classes I attended, he did not give it to me, I was upset... but at the end of the day shrugged it off as a learning experience.  Even though I felt I had done my research, including meeting the teacher for coffee to interview him etc. it wasn't for me.  Sh** happens.  Take responsibility and move on, don't bash a seasoned professional who simply didn't take on your problems as her own.  That's my opinion anyway.  I truly wish the complainers in this group the best of luck in their careers, and hope that perhaps in reading the many responses here they can take something positive with them into the future.  

For those of you considering taking an acting class via Carolyne Barry, check out her site, ask around, do your research, talk to her directly and make an informed decision.  As many agents, casting directors, directors, and seasoned actors will tell you, she is one of the best acting teachers in Los Angeles.

Hello,

Although I do not know the exact dynamics of the situation that occurred with the young man and Ms. Barry, I don't disagree with many of the things he states. Ms. Barry is a very cold hearted, insulting and condescending woman to her students who for some reason or another accept her words of "advice". She claims that she is offering constructive criticism which is absolute nonsense. Moreover, I agree that she is solely after money based upon my own experiences. The "payment plan" is silly as you do not pay as you go, but rather post date a check that is cashed in seven or 14 days.

The fact is that no matter what anyone says, she will say she is not wrong, is doing business correctly and that "backstage" has named her a great acting coach. She may very well be a good coach, but her pedagogy is off the mark and in no way shape or form the way an educated person should behave towards a group of adults.

Hello,

Although I do not know the exact dynamics of the situation that occurred with the young man and Ms. Barry, I don't disagree with many of the things he states. Ms. Barry is a very cold hearted, insulting and condescending woman to her students who for some reason or another accept her words of "advice". She claims that she is offering constructive criticism which is absolute nonsense. Moreover, I agree that she is solely after money based upon my own experiences. The "payment plan" is silly as you do not pay as you go, but rather post date a check that is cashed in seven or 14 days.

The fact is that no matter what anyone says, she will say she is not wrong, is doing business correctly and that "backstage" has named her a great acting coach. She may very well be a good coach, but her pedagogy is off the mark and in no way shape or form the way an educated person should behave towards a group of adults.

I am a current student of Carolyne's and I have been for over a year now.  In my experience, she has been nothing but fair.  I've seen her make all kinds of compromises from those who cannot afford to pay up front.  At the end of the day of course she wants to get the money.  How else would she pay her teachers?!  How could she pay for the space?  We all sign contracts at the beginning of the classes because there are so many people who would take advantage if we didn't.  It is a business and she has to support herself just as much as anyone else.  

I was the teacher of this summer session that Sam attended.  When the class began I let everyone know that the amount of work required would be great, and that I would not allow them to slack off.  It became apparent rather quickly that Sam was not up to commitment.  After about two weeks of the six week course (and it was at this point that Sam hinted at some kind of car trouble) Sam began to tell me that he was putting the work in, and I could go check with his other teachers at Carolyne's studio; so I did. I was told by one of my colleagues that Sam was almost never prepared, and that he tried to skate by all the time.  When confronted with this, he stated that this couldn't possibly be true (or something to that affect).  It was at this point that Sam began to miss class.  Every partner he had assured me that he was rarely available for rehearsal, and that he "wasn't getting it."  

I have taken classes from Carolyne Barry and been a class assistant with her for over a year. In all of that time she has always treated me with respect and I always felt that she wanted the best for me. She has always worked with me for working out payment plans so that it is easier for me to afford classes and always wants to know how things are progressing with me and with the class.

Carolyne always wants her students to be the best. I have never doubted that.

She is also, without a doubt, a business woman and is running a business. She takes that side of things very seriously as well.

She asks a lot out of students in her classes and asks them to be serious about their commitment to the class. I never felt she has been unjust in any way. Carolyne only wants honesty and integrity in people and in their acting.

Hi,
I'm one of Carolyne's students and was in the Meisner intensive with you.  Actually, I worked directly with you several times. 

We have a lot in common.  I started working within Carolyne's program in early 2009 just like you.  I was in the intensive as well.  I asked for a discount and was turned down.  Also, I wrecked my car half way through the course. 

The difference was that I made an effort to get to class.  I called everyone that either lived near me, worked near I worked/lived, and flat out hustled.  I never received a call from you looking for a ride.  No one in class got an email from you asking for a ride.  I know where everyone in class lives and works because it's come up in conversation.  There are several people who live and work near South LA.  They would have had no problem giving you a ride.  I know this because they gave me rides.  Basically, you didn't make an effort to get there. 

What I saw was that the class is challenging and you couldn't handle it.  I saw Josh push you to get into the work.  It's not an easy class and Josh demanded the world from us because he brought everything to it.  He pushed the rest of the class and I hard.  It was nerve-racking because it requires you to dig deep and live through somethings you wish you never had to.  However, it's a career choice.  We all, excluding you, worked to bring what we could out in front of everyone.  It's tough but most of the class moved on to the first year of Meisner.  In short, you couldn't handle the class. 

Not being able to cut it is an excellent excuse to stop going.  Yet, it's not an excuse to break a contract.  If Carolyne granted refunds to every actor who had an excuse she would not be in business very long and yes, though it's a creative business, it's still a business. 

I think the world of Carolyne.  In many ways she has become a mentor to me.  She take time to talk with me directly on a personal level.  You could easily argue that my relationship with her taints my judgment of this situation and you might be right.  The problem with that argument is that she has an open relationship with every student that reaches out to her.  I'm not a special student.  I'm a proactive student because acting is my dream and I'm working to fulfill my dream.

I saw you perform and you didn't bring was Josh asked of you and he came down hard just like he has done with me.  You wrecked your car just like I did.  Money is tight for you just like it is for me and about 75% of the actors in this town.  We have several other striking similarities but we are clearly vastly different people.  I put in the work. 

I'm sure you disagree with everything I've said and, hey, you might be right.  BUT, this point is the most important point and it's not something you can dispute.  Carolyne Barry is not just a person whom you dislike.  Carolyne Barry is an institution.  She's been around forever.  She worked in almost every aspect of the realm of Hollywood and she's built relationships with almost everyone in this town.  Her classes are top notch and she has a reputation that can't be tarnished. 

You are a young actor who is bashing her on a public forum.  Every casting director that may be interested in casting you for a role will do their research to make sure you are someone that works well with others.  It is part of the casting directors job to insure that the actors are not people that will be difficult on set and will not bash them, the directors, producers, or other actors online. 

You have just posted that Carolyne Barry, a former casting director, director, and etc. is an awful person.  No casting director will ever take a chance on you if they feel that you will bash them or anyone they work with. 

In this attempt to bring down Carolyne, you've tarnished your reputation.  You are a no-name actor who's building a reputation of being difficult before you've proven your acting ability.  Not wise.

I wish you the best of luck.

So, this is the original poster of this rip off report. i think you the consumer can see through this womans lies. in these tough economic times (recession anybody?) people should probably try to be more understanding of the needs of fellow citizens. I live in South LA and her studio is in the valley. That would take hours of bus rides after the totaling of my car. If she says that she is so understanding then why was she so quick to tell me that I was going to pay her, and if I didnt she would ruin my credit? does that sound like words coming out of an "understanding" mouth? and if, as she implies, I was insulting to her which is why she chose not to work with me, uhm hello why would I have to get "insulting" if I was being helped out. she clearly had NO sympathy for my situation, and I continue to be harassed by collections for money she will never get from me.

And also... she seems very defensive about the quality of her services. Nobody is arguing how good of a class she is running. Nowhere in my article do I say her class was bad... SHE is bad. She is a scam artist in my opinion, and is very money hungry.

So, this is the original poster of this rip off report. i think you the consumer can see through this womans lies. in these tough economic times (recession anybody?) people should probably try to be more understanding of the needs of fellow citizens. I live in South LA and her studio is in the valley. That would take hours of bus rides after the totaling of my car. If she says that she is so understanding then why was she so quick to tell me that I was going to pay her, and if I didnt she would ruin my credit? does that sound like words coming out of an "understanding" mouth? and if, as she implies, I was insulting to her which is why she chose not to work with me, uhm hello why would I have to get "insulting" if I was being helped out. she clearly had NO sympathy for my situation, and I continue to be harassed by collections for money she will never get from me.

And also... she seems very defensive about the quality of her services. Nobody is arguing how good of a class she is running. Nowhere in my article do I say her class was bad... SHE is bad. She is a scam artist in my opinion, and is very money hungry.

I have been a student of Carolyne's for over 3 years now and She has always been very understanding and helpful when it came to payment plans.  I have recommended quite a few people to Carolyne because of her reasonable prices and the great classes I have taken.  She truly does care about each of her students and is always there to give advice. I have never once found her to be unfair or unprofessional in way and will continue to recommend her class!!

I am Carolyne Barry and I want to respond to this man's report.  I have been teaching and producing quality workshops for actors since 1980.  In fact I am one of the most successful sole-proprietors of actor programs, Therefore my reputation is important to me so I find it necessary to address his vindictive accusations.