I can confirm many of the things written and said about TRU. I believe it to be a scam without a doubt!
Classes - The acting coach seems to be legit. But the modeling classes... I came out of modeling classes knowing less than I did when I went in. They don't cover anything in detail and god help you if you go out on a real audition. They had one model coach there that actually knew a few things about modeling through real life, recent, experience but she quit, wish I knew why. I went out on an audition... And was told to do a certain "walk" which I should have been taught. I was clueless.in my opinion, their modeling classes are not very educational, the coaches don't have enough experience and the class sizes are way too big. The runway is not long enough to learn anything on it.
For Vegas - make sure you're getting new and recent information on runway and modeling, not what was current and cool back in 1993!! It is 2008. Just think, do a little research and make sure you don't look like a fool when you audition.
Audtions - watch out. Especially for children, there is very very very little work. Adults, if you're looking to model, there's very very little work. They mostly book for extra work for movies being filmed here in Utah. There are some speaking lines but anything that is a good role is already auditioned for and booked in Los Angeles.
Vegas - the bookers there dont like to book out extra work because they dont make anything on it. Least in SL, the booker there really wants to find work for the actors and actresses.
For children especially, they will say there's an audition. Truth is that they don't have a client. They just chose a company that sells childrens clothes or is children oriented, have you and your kids come in to do a "video audition" which is then mailed to the company. Typically they've made no contact with these companies. The reason they do these auditions is so their customer service issues will decline for a moment. Customer Service issues being - talent calling and saying that they aren't going on any auditions and wanting to back out of their contracts.
Modeling auditions, there's very little. Most anything that comes through is free work. You don't get paid.
If you do land a decent role with some decent money... Make sure they aren't charging you double on your agency percentages. I've heard about that happening, when brought to their attention, they just say it was a mistake. I somehow don't believe that.
Photoshoots-The photography team there is awesome. Very sweet, caring and they try hard to make you look awesome. However you will most likely leave with 20 photos that you've purchased. Fact is, the booking agent doesn't care about 20 photos. It is good to have a diverse portfolio if you're modeling but the booking agent doesn't even care to see them... Especially since there's little modeling work. With acting, all you need is a good headshot. So be careful. Just pick out the 6 or 8 best and don't worry about it. It's not the end of the world no matter what the photo sales person may say. TRU profits primarily on their photo sales! Keep this in mind!
TRU was known as Soleil. They've been known as TRU for about 4 years. They've been in the same location for about 10 years.
Staff changes there constantly. It's a rare thing when someone is there for more than a year. Staff changes out about every 3-6 months. Usually I've heard it be because the employees see the real scam going on, are fed up with the owner's mood swings, deceit, verbal abuse and empty promises.
Owner is the tall fake blonde woman. She can really turn on the charm, but look out if it doesn't go her way.
Owners father owns Rocky Mountain Financial who purchases many of the talent contracts.
They are planning to open a location in Colorado, San Diego and Washington. Why? Because their reputation here is so bad, fresh meat, more naive people is my observation.
TRU has an even worse reputation in Las Vegas than Salt Lake City.
Many, and I mean MANY past employees and even current employees are not being paid what they have been promised. Especially the past employees, when you get your last check, it is always short. They always find something to deduct, legit or not. They will say you stole equipment or didn't turn in your keys or whatever they can concoct.
I also know that if you're fired and you try to claim unemployment that they will lie about why you don't qualify and why they don't owe you anything therefore you are then turned down unemployment.
We all look for the good in people. We all want to be treated fairly. It's disappointing when someone you trust screws you over.
These are facts, this is the truth, this is my story. Beware of TRU
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