Performers Academy - John Robert Powers - Natalie Costa - Dan Josten - Michael Josten JOHN ROBERT POWERS LAGUNA HILLS CHANGED THEIR NAME TO PERFORMERS ACADEMY Laguna Hills California

Dear Consumer,

I have worked with Mike Josten for 8 years and he has always been a straight shooter. We have produced one short film and two feature films together. Mike believes in what he does and inspires others to believe in themselves. He has worked in the film industry for 25 years and is now running Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts. I have witnessed his professionalism first hand. He has paid for his students to visit movie sets and set up auditions for them which have led to lead roles in feature films. He finances student films as well as feature films that have had worldwide distribution. Last time I was in his office I witnessed several students auditioning for a major Hollywood agency and I heard a couple of them signed up the next day. Mike is a businessman and that being said he will do whatever it takes to stay in business but never at the cost of his students or partners. He is always willing to make a deal and finds a way for everyone to succeed. I would personally send my child to Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts not only because of Mike but because he surrounds him self with top notch instructors and a quality staff who really care for the kids.

Sage Bannick
Film Director/Producer

I have read all of the comments of the people who feel that they have been ripped off by Mike and his company or people he used to work with.....You are getting a service for the money you pay! They are providing you with classes. They are not taking your money under the premise that they will get you work. They promise to help prepare you!!!

Every one who gets an agent and later gets work is probably going to be satisfied with the investment. On the other hand those of you who attend the classes and visit the agents and nothing ever happens...you are probably feeling a little cheated. Mike doesn't make you special. You make you special. You have to have something about you to begin with....the job of the school is to give you experience and practice and to set you up with the tools that you need to make it in the business. The rest is up to you.
" you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink"

The school does not make you a star. Any one who thinks that is a little off to begin with.
Everyone thinks that their own children are great...the trick is getting other people to notice it.

These schools are in the business to make money. They shouldn't be turning anyone away. Mike or any of his staff are just one person. Sure they are going to tell you your child is great, do any of your friends or aquaintances tell you your child could never act or model. Of course not. It isn't their oppinion that matters anyways. It is the oppinion of the agents and casting directors.

It is what is inside of the person, how badly they want it, how hard they are willing to work for it, and for how long. Be honest with yourself. Some people are made for this and some aren't. That is the truth, and it isn't Mike's place, or anyone elses to tell you other wise. If you want it, he is going to sell you the classes....the rest is up to you.

I personally have had a positive experience with the school. I see children all the time that I wonder why their parents put them in the school and paid all that money, but some of those same kids go on to do wonderful things. My oppinion doesn't matter. Every casting director or photographer has a different idea of what they want. You just have to stick it out long enough to find the one who sees it in you.

My daughter got an agent in less than a month at Mikes school. She got 2 jobs, and was put on hold 5 times out of 7 auditions. The school didn't make her special, she is what makes her special. The school gave her the experience and the training to do better when she did go on auditions. She is now going on auditions every week. And is on hold for a few very large things. This is the best case scenario from going to these schools. Had she not attended she wouldn't even have an agent.

Take the school for what it is. They don't provide miracles. You shouldn't expect them to.

This will be directed mostly to Briean. Schools charge a fee. Any school.JRP is not an agent. Nor is any academy, regardless of their name. Agencies and Manager's don't get paid unless their clients work. It sound's to me like you were very lucky to get into the industry at all. I have yet to find a photographer that can afford to give away his or her services, unless they are green and trying to get started. Training is the key to success, not luck. If you had training or the right agent and manager, maybe you would be a supermodel by now.

East coast or west coast, all schools and academy's are independantly owned and operated. So if the owner has a genuine regard for their business and the students it will be ran accordingly. My 5 yr-old daughter is an up and coming success story from JRP. After 10 months of training she has a Manager in LA and is in the process of signing with a major Talent Agency. She is still attending classes at JRP and will forever, to keep that edge. She also see's private coaches, they give her that extra edge for auditions and a better opportunity to book jobs. She has had two paying jobs and has done them like a professional. It's the owner and the people they have working for them that make the school, not the name. It does help to be close to the market(LA or NY) unless you only want to cater to your local market, which is very limited.

As a consumer who has enrolled with Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts, with Mike Josten as the Owner, I have to say that it would be nice if Mike Josten's name would not up in connection with John Robert Powers. They are two different entities.

I have yet to meet a nicer, more compassionate person that Mike (not Michael) Josten, owner of Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts. He extended nothing but graciousness and honesty with my son and myself.

I recommend Mike Josten and SCSPA to any parent who is supporting their child in their dream of being in the entertainment industry and any parent who wishes to fulfill their own dream of being in the acting business. I GUARANTEE YOU WILL NOT EVER MEET A NICER MORE AMIABLE PERSON THAN MIKE JOSTEN. Thank you for allowing my post.

This letter is written in regards to the superior professionalism,and training provided by Michael Josten and his staff @ John Robert Powers in Santa Clarita Ca.

After several years of dealing with unscrupulous Agents and or acting schools and coaches. Mr. Josten and his coaches at his school were like a breath of fresh air.

My 9 yr old daughter was very excited about acting, for years, of broken promises by people in the industry & myself having spent literally thousands of dollars on picture and training to no avail, we both were becoming disenchanted. I thought I would give the industry one more try at the insistence fo my daughter who was very determined to make it.

After my initial meeting W/Mike Josten I could see cleary he was a cut above the rest. He's clear,concise,no strings attached approach was all I needed to realize I was finally in the right place, Not to mention my daughter just loved his enthusiasm, and his honesty in dealing W/us both. Not only does Mr. Josten offer QUALITY TRAINING, he gives his students an ADDED ADVANTAGE by bringing LEGITIMATE SAG AGENTS to his offices every weekend where every student has the opportunity to showcase his or her talent.

In a very short time my daughter was picked up by a very good agent in Beverly Hills. To be accurate she had 2 call backs from great agents, both in one week.

To summerize our personal experience with Mr Josten and his staff I world have to say that we are extremely pleased with the proffessionalism and quality, standard teaching my daughter received at JRP in Santa Clarita, I would highly recommend Mr. Jostens services to anyone wishing to make a great start in a tough industry.

sincerely

Yes, Debbie and everyone else, you are on the right track. Every last one of those modeling "schools" are a scam. A real modeling agency will NEVER as that you attend a school and if you do, it's actually looks worse in your portfolio and on your resume.

Nonya, you say you're a satisfied customer....are you satisfied knowing that you can become a model for FREE? I think it's hilarious that you still don't see the truth about this company. Open your eyes girl! Models may absorb a few costs...comp cards is something you almost always have to pay for, but pictures are not. I update my portfolio every week with photographers that shoot me for free -- and ALWAYS HAVE! I'm not a supermodel, but this is a rough business. I have worked extremely hard to get where I am, but I have not paid hardly anything to get there and anything I DID pay, was immediately replaced by paying modeling jobs.

Stay away from these people! All they really want is your money. If you have what it takes to be a model, you don't even neccessarily need professional pictures....take some well lit photographs and start sending them to agencies. If they want to work with you, they'll contact you and they will NEVER ask for up-front fees. They make money when they find YOU work.

Good luck to everyone....and Nonya, sorry you're still in the dark....do some research!

Hi Debbie,

I don't think you need to tell me what I can write and not write. No JRP did not pay me I am just a satisfied client. I can write about whatever I see is fair to respond to, regarding your complaint. The funny thing about your complaint and the school you are complaining about is his child is a JRP success story appearing on daytime drama and sit-coms. So you are right do your homework!! It is unfortunate that things did not work out for you, you should know since you seem know soooooo much, most pople do not make it in this business, all you can do is give it your best effort and take advantage of opportunities. If you didn't know this going into it then you are naive!!

Former student

YES!! Natalie ripped us off too! We payed her almost $4,000.00 and got noda...nothing...She told my wife our kid had Star potential...what a crock!! Now...she's changed her name to... PERFORMER'S ACADEMY!!!! What a scam. I am contacting the o.c.'s district attorney about them. We also went to another scam in Irvine called ICA. The woman there, Helene, said what a scam artsit this Natalie woman was. Apparantly, Helene worked for her, but Helene said when she found out what a illegal company Costa was running, she quit. I beleieve it, but Helene also ripped us off too! :( This industry is a JOKE!
WANT YOUR MONEY BACK FROM PERFORMERS ACADEMY:
go to...

bbbsouthland.org to file complaint
The Orange County District Attorney's Office
contact your local media station!!!!
easybackgroundcheck.com to file complaint
SUE IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT!!!!!!!!!! YOU CAN GET TREBLE DAMAGES OUT OF COSTA!!!!!!

Also, parents should complain to any company where Performers Academy advertises! If they receive enough complaints, they company will pull their ad!

Let's nail these guys...Good luck!

This man made so many promises to my seven year old son. It was terrible that nothing actually happen and I wised up and did no pay for anything.

Doesn't it seem funny that his own kid landed a few roles, like JAG and Drew Carry and now Rodney.

I can't believe that somebody would actually write a response about these people not being complete scam artists. Wake up girl or don't reply about something from the East Coast when the complaints are from here in Southern CA. Did they pay you to write your response? I am currently trying to get my money back from Michael Josten, the owner of the JRP in Valencia. Don't believe ANYTHING that they tell you!! I wish I had known about this website years ago when we got scammed into their money making scheme. It's unfortunate that an old company like John Robert Powers allows this scum to purchase franchises and run them this way. PARENTS- DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! Don't let these sweet talking jerks con you. The BBB will help you too, they have tons of complaints on these franchises and will send you copies of labor codes so you can read up on how the industry really SHOULD work. Good luck to all of you and if anybody out there has taken the JRP-Valencia to court- please write back and let me know if you won and got your money back!!!

I am sure this will not get printed since you will only show negative comments to the public. However the comments above are a bold face lie. JRP does not have employees pose as agents. As a matter a fact they have real casting directors working with MGM,Warner Bros., and Disney attending their studios to audition talent JRP is working with. DO you want names...Paul Weber MGM, Robert Russell WB, and Corbin Bronson Disney.

You should prove facts before you post incorrect information about a business. I suggest you check your facts and post a rebuttal toi the above misguided information that is a bold face lie. Would you like the names of agents I will give you one and if you want more please feel free to email me. New York Models Stefano Giardani, one more Elite Karen Lee both visits JRP looking for talent.

I hope this gets posted to help this misguided individuals to understand just b/c one person does not become a celebrity after working with JRP does not mean they are a scam. Look at the track record of success stories. We all know actors work with coaches and headshots and portfolios are a necessary part for the professional actor and model.

I AM ONE OF THE PEOPLE THEY SCAMMED! Taking all this money for nonsense classes, and zed cards and head shots!!! We live in Brea where they had another location which they closed out already.

I was at the mall and they stopped me and told me my daughter is so pretty. My 14 year old would love to be a model, I realized much later that she is too short for modeling, and she looks good but is not a size 0! I found out that if you are not a very small size, my daughter is a size 8, you are too big.

Well, Dan Josten made her do it all, modeling classes, acting classes that were about reading the same this over and over without any comment or coaching. My daughter got fed up of the lousy classes but stuck with them because Dan Josten promised her an agent. Well they don't have real agents, they have employees that pose as agents!!!!! And now they are closing out, changing their name to try and cover their rip off!

I WISH TO WARN ALL OF YOU PARENTS OUT THERE! Do not do business with Natalie Costa, Dan Josten, and Michael Josten!!!! THEY ARE HEARTLESS AND JUST WANT YOUR MONEY, WHILE CRUSHING LITTLE KIDS DREAMS! I HEARD THAT THEY ARE GETTING CLOSED OUT!
I found out that they are an non-licensed Advance Fee Talent Service, and operate an illegal business. RUN! I lost my money, Thousands of dollars!!!!!