Is this Barbizon thing legit or a scam?

They’ve been doing it for modeling since the 1970s: https://youtu.be/69o4iyr54fQ

The Process:

- Saw an Instagram ad saying “Do you want to be an actor or model? Learn more about our agency today” with a contact fill out. I filled out my name, email, and phone number. RED FLAG #1 - they are an acting/modeling SCHOOL, NOT AN AGENCY (agencies are for representation and they don’t take your money. They take 10% of your booked gigs payment). When things that aren’t agencies advertise themselves as agencies, I think it’s a little sus. When you look at their website though, they do say they’re a school, so I still gave them a chance.

- The next day, I got a call from a Barbizon rep wanting to schedule an interview for the next day. I had a flight the following day, so I didn’t want to do it and be stressed before my flight. She proceeded to say “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity” so I thought what the heck, I’ll wake up early and do it. She sent me a link to a “monologue” to prep for the interview. It was 2 sentences long (commercial monologue) so super easy.

- I logged onto the interview zoom link at noon, there were about 100 other people on this call. Nobody had a good self-tape setup, so I could tell it was all amateurs. We were told to stay muted and keep our cameras ON while we waited. We all waited from 12-12:45 pm, staring at each other in silence – hella awkward.

- Finally, a video popped on the screen – a 4 minute promotional video featuring 2 Barbizon alumni (who I didn’t recognize) sharing their success stories in modeling. They were both NYC Barbizon alumni and one was a woman, one was a man, and the man seemed to just say “I had great success with Barbizon” and no tangible examples. The woman was a drop dead gorgeous model and she had walked in NY Fashion week and a few other catalog successes.

- Then a woman on zoom came up and gave us a tour of the NYC office – it was a legit beautiful building in time square, she peaked into various classrooms and there were students. This is when I thought “this might be legit”. A LEGIT acting school, not an agency.

- Then another woman came on to “host an acting workshop” with our monologues we prepared. She asked for 2 volunteers (I was one of them). I slated, did monologue, then the other person did the same. She said “great! Now lets work on them.” She proceeded to tell us to “shake it out” LITERALLY stand up and shake our arms and legs (the other ppl on the call did it too). Then we performed it again, almost the same way… and she said “So much better, right!? This is just a glimpse of some of the Barbizon workshops and classes we offer.”… I thought it was a pretty weak workshop.

- Then she left, said “prep your sides before your interview” Again, sat in the room from 1:00 – 1:20 on mute, camera on.

- Then I joined a breakout room with just me and another Barbizon rep (THE interviewer). She seemed very dull/not excited to be there / talked super monotone. I felt like I was the one in control, that’s how out of it she was. I slated for her, then she asked me questions about myself,, including “who supports you financially” (which was weird since I’m 24 and she knew that), then she gave me a powerpoint presentation on Barbizon.

- The powerpoint: The LA Barbizon building is located next to a lot of big studios (like Paramount). They aren’t connected business-wise, the buildings are just next to each other. But the presentation just had the covers for various Paramount shows and movies, which I thought was weird (I clearly recognized it as a sales tactic, advertising all this unrelated info). After the presentation, I got to ask her questions – I asked for specific tangible reasons Barbizon helps students in the industry. She would respond “yes, we help a lot of our students in the industry.” I then asked again “Can I have an example?” and she responded “Being in LA and near major studios, we have helped a lot of our students in the industry.” I then asked “Do your students get asked to be in those productions because they’re near those studios?” and she responded “No, but being near them is beneficial to our students.” I said “how so?” and she said “We are in the heart of LA near big studios.”…. I clearly stumped her (RED FLAG) but proceeded to be nice and do the rest of the interview.

- I asked her about the classes – she said modeling, acting, signing, and dancing classes are available through Barbizon. You pay a one-time tuition fee for a 6-month intensive program, then a lifetime of free classes afterward at any of the Barbizon locations (almost every state has one, NYC and LA are the best it seems). The fee is $2495 up front OR $595 upfront and then $191/month for 12 months. THIS IS ACTUALLY A GREAT DEAL. I was thinking “Wow, $2500 for a semester of acting/modeling/singing/and dance lessons, then a lifetime of free classes after? The woman even said “let’s say in 20 years, you needed to learn how to talk in a British accent so you needed to come back to classes, you could for free. You’re a lifetime alum. She also said that headshots, portfolios, resume help are included) There are also SHOWCASE options in front of agents (that do have success rates) but they’re an additional cost. So I do not believe you get to do the showcase unless you pay for the showcase (I asked, but she was unclear in her response once again).

- I then did my monologue, she said “Great job! I’m going to go make my decision on whether to admit you, you sit here for 10 minutes, I’ll be back”

- She came back and said “Congratulations, you got in! Are you excited?” and I was like “yes, thank you.” Then she said “orientation is in 20 minutes at 2:30 pm, then your intro class is this weekend 7-8:30 pm on Zoom, then your first class is next week 6-7:30 pm on Zoom, but if you’re near the LA campus, you can do your first class in person as well. You can pay today at a discounted price of $2495 for the entire 6 months, or you can pay a little more and do the payment plan option (which is $595 due today and then 12 payments of $191. That option is $400 more in total).

- I said “thank you so much, I’ll need time to think about it, as I’m flying home for the week and would like to start taking classes in person when I’m back. She said I HAD TO PAY RIGHT NOW or else I lose my shot at ever working with Barbizon again (RED FLAG). I said “So if I opt out, I can never apply to Barbizon again?” and she said “yes, this is your only chance to work with us”. At this point I was like… damn this is a scam. I KINDLY said “I am unable to make a payment right now, and I have to catch a flight, so as much as I’d love to be part of your company, I have to decline your offer.” All of a sudden, another Barbizon woman came on (the HEAD of their acting/modeling programs) and said “Kylie, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. How can we make you feel more comfortable?” And I was super nice to her as well, explaining that I couldn’t commit at the moment, needed time to think about it, but would come back to Barbizon if I decided to move forward. And I said “I think this is a great deal, I just can’t commit right now. I would love to participate next semester” and she said “well this is your only shot. If you pass up on it, you don’t get another chance.” I then said (still SUPER politely) “This sales tactic is slightly off putting as well, and makes me think I need more time to think about it.” She then got SUPER RUDE and said “Well good luck. I spend $200,000 on my MFA that I don’t even use, so this $2000 we’re asking for is nothing compared to that.” I said “What?” (as I’m not looking to get a master of fine arts, and yikes that she “isn’t using it" as an employee in the entertainment industry…) She said “$2000 is nothing compared to the $200,000 you’ll have to spend getting an MFA.” I said “I don’t have $2000 to spend right now and I have no desire to get a masters degree. Thank you for your time and consideration. I have to go catch a plane!” Then I hung up. BIG FREAKING YIKES.