Remember Yesterday’s post? I told you that Patience went to audition for a chance to take celebrity workshop – training – with celebrities from Disney and Nickelodeon.
Guess what?
SHE WAS CALLED BACK!!!
I was told she was the 6th pick of the hundreds of kids who auditioned. This is amazing news and I’m so happy for Patience because I know she deserves this (she’s such a lush for attention – LOL). Problem is, now they’re wanting us to come back to the American Bank Center to sign up for one of the 4 program packages for training…the only problem – we haven’t the funds to pay.
To sign up for one of 4 celebrity workshops we need to put $1000 down and pay the balance by the 26th of this month – and spaces are “limited” – in order to attend workshops with their favorite celebrities.
How can I tell my daughter that I can’t help with her dreams because I don’t have the money to pay for the training she needs? I don’t know what to do…
What do I do now? I don’t have any money to send her through one of these programs. Especially now that we’re thinking about buying a house (our first one). 
HELP!!!! What would you do if you were presented with this problem? Do you have any suggestions on what I should do? Oh, and do you agree with John? He thinks this is all a gimmick…as for me – not sure what to think right now.
Disclosure: I was not paid to write this post. I was not asked to write it either, however. I do have permission to share this information with you. All thoughts, opinions and/or testimonials expressed on this post are my own.
I’m with John on this one… They just want your money… They pay the talent not charge them… I’m sure Patience wasn’t the only “6th pick” unfortunately… If they really wanted her they would be throwing themselves at you…they’re just playing her against you forcing you into a guilt trip purchase that has no guarantee… Sorry… Show biz is a douche bag :/
Sadly, and its unfortunate, I agree with you (and John) completely…even though there’s a part of me that wants to believe otherwise. And what’s worse, John said he heard the commercial for this “event” on the radio today, for next weekend.
Makes me sad.
I’ve always heard that if these kind of workshops ask for money they are rip offs. I would have to do some extensive research on them before I sent them a dime if I were in your place. Find someone that will pay Patience for her time and talent, not take money from her.
I’d heard that too, I just didn’t think that what we were walking into would be one of those times. I’m just glad that Patience is okay with all of this. She’s such a great kid.
Still…what a great thing for her to know! I’m proud of her, even from afar!
Awe, thanks Heather. I appreicate that, as I’m sure Patience will too. She’s a great kid and is stronger than I ever was at her age.
I would tell you to do your research. There are rip-offs out there, but this one is legitimate. My son took part in this event about 1 1/2 years ago. We decided to pay the cost in order to jump-start his training by actual working actors, so we sent him to this one. One month after this event, he had an agent. One month after that, he had his first national commercial (he’s done 5 now). These actors know what they are doing and they are working…which is more than you can say for many “acting instructors” out there. They show you how to do this business and they are great with the kids.
Hi Kellie,
Thanks so much for your comment. I have been knocking the “realness” of this opportunity back and forth. It’s hard to know sometimes, what can happen when you invest this amount of money into something you’re not too sure about. I’m so glad to hear that your son has done 5 commercials so far. This is great news.
Gosh, my first thought was to ask if I could help in any way, but now I see everyone calling scam and it makes me sad as well. I hope she gets her shot and these scammers have a bad day!! <–that's the nicest way I could think to word it on your family friendly blog.
No, to clarify, I said that this company is LEGIT. I know from our own experience that this company is not one of the bad ones.
I completely agree with you Kellie – after a bit of research I can honestly say that this company is legit and I stand behind and support what they do. I only wish I could have taken advantage of them being in my area, especially since Patience was called back (she’s still very sad that I couldn’t send her to these classes).
PS – The girls (Patience and Piper) loved meeting Esteban. That was the highlight of the whole day!
Hey Janet – Happy Sunday!!!
After doing a little more research – and talking with a few people – I think it’s pretty legit. I wish I did have the money to buy into the program for Patience because I really think she’d benefit from what she’d learn at these classes, sadly I just can’t afford it.
I have only read 1 bad review and if you read her complaint and knew the programs that they had offered you; you would know that she didn’t have any idea of what she was talking about. Our daughter is in the program and if all she gains from it is the experience thats fine with me. Of course we would hope that she gets a call back from an agent but we can also pursue her future career by sending her portfolio out to other agents.. As far as the financial side of things we struggled to pay for it, and were able to. You know the phrase” you have to spend money to make money” I believe that this gives them a boost of knowledge. Yes, you can do it the cost effective way but you will not meet the contacts nor have the knowledge that is gained in a short amount of time that is experienced through the program and eventually you will still have to pay something down the road to get them in the business. My daughter is learning so much about herself as well as how to audition for possible positions in future, the $1900.00 we sent was well worth the experience.
Thanks so much for the comment Cheryl. You’re right – it does take money to make money. I just hope I have it the next time they come around because I really think my daughter would benefit from something like this. I have two girls. One is super shy and could never do this but Patience, she lives for this stuff and she’s got such an amazing character!
Good luck on the future possible positions (for your daughter) in the future.
I went to an audition the held in Jacksonville Fl. Saturday . Sunday when i got back home my mother told me i got a call back .I went CRAZZZZYYY !! the workshop i want to do is the first one because its much cheaper then the others. i was told that is money was tight , they give you a $900 scholarship & i just pay $1000..i dnt wnt to believe its a rip off but…….
It’s a hard thing to accept, when it is a rip off, but somehow I’m not thinking this program is any of that anymore. I honestly think it’s worth the money and time to get your child involved. I didn’t have the money to put my daughter into it this year but I would definitely consider paying the asking price, next year, should our finances get any better.
I too have been accepted. I went to the audition yesterday and got called back today.
My mom does not really have the money for it, and is trying to convince herself that it is a scam. I have a second appointment today and I don’t think my mom really wants to take me.
I will probably find a way to convinve her to put me through the program. It would be great for me.
My heart goes out to you and your daughter. Maybe you can try and find some free programs to put her through. I’m sure you could work something out at this point. Don’t give up!
There’s other companies that do the same thing, but a lot cheaper. They promise you whatever you want to hear just to get you in the door. When they were in my area, they advertised as auditioning. I called and asked them if this truly was a casting audition and they said yes. A friend of my daughter was told they were auditioning for a short film. Both were lies. Celebrities can do whatever they want with their free time so, they get hired by these talent scouting agencies for a fee to come down and talk to the kids. That doesn’t mean Disney or Nickelodeon is conducting an actual casting and that the celebrity is representing them, but that’s the impression we get, don’t we? My daughter attended some acting classes and they brought a celebrity, but didn’t charge nothing close to what CSE intends to charge.
Truth is some of these companies will get you to attend some workshops, then at the end present a monologues in front of agents. If you are lucky, have the looks, training, acting experience, personality, and most importantly, live close to a major city where they conduct castings, you might get picked by an agent.
Don’t give up, but just get into local plays, acting classes, whatever you can to get experience. When you feel you’re ready, film demo reels to send to agents. Hopefully you’ll get one.
Hi Barb,
Adrian R’mante aka Estoban owns this company along with his wife. Some of the same people that were owners at John Robert Powers and also “The Event” aka TAY are involved with the sales of this program. It’s newer so it still has a good name. But when it comes to it, I’m sure the sales process is pretty close to the same. Buyer Beware.
Comments on this entry are closed.