Barbizon Modeling School has a lot of PROS and CONS. First things first, although I DO agree that they charge WAY too much money to go there, I don't FULLY agree that its 100% a waste of time, read on.
I applied to go to barbizon a few years ago. They ended up calling me and explaing that I needed to go to the hilton hotel for 'auditioning' and so my mom took me. When I got there, there was this huge line, I'm talking HUGE line, to 'sign in'
We took a seat in this big auditiorium, which seemed like there was 1,000 or more (may have been way more, maybe less) people in there I was so nervous. I took a few hours, give or take for my name to be called, and as I walked out of the auditorium and down a hallway where we first came in at, there were people sitting on windowsills, floors its was crazy.
When I walking into the room where I was going to be 'interviewed' or 'auditioned' I looked around and noticed a bunch of tables, one for each city or area that has a barbizon in it. The lady asked me questions about my past, I told her how I took 7 dance classes per week baceball cheerleading for school/city/cheer america, the different sports and instuments I had played and the pagents and recitals, which she seemed very much interested in. And before we parted she explained that only (10 or 20) (I don't remember) people were going to be chosen, and that I will receive a callback about it. I received one. And then I was officially a 'barvizon student' (The 2 teachers called us all models)
The first day was exciting, we met the people we were going to be going to classes with, received makeup/brush kit, (1oz) Natural Facial Cleanser ('Seaweed' I believe they said) / (1oz) (I think 'Rose)' moisturizer / (1oz) Toner / (1oz) Special Eye & Makeup Remover / (Tiny 1/4oz) of Gentle Complexion Scrub / (Tiny 1/4oz) of Rehydrating Masque. So I thought that was pretty cool, wasn't expecting any of that, and a Model Handbook, which has exerything from what to say, bring, how to act on auditions, practice commercial lines, nail, hair, facen how to apply, walk, how to tip at resturants, health. You name it, its in that book.
So, the things they try to teach you are: Walking the runway. What I have to say for that - That Is A Joke! Yes, I learned and remember what to do walking the runway, but it was a nightmare. Little, little kids, pre-teens and older teens mixed, trying to walk in the tiny room while one person gives directions that 75% don't follow, no matter what, WAS FRUSTRATING to say the least. They eventually tought to walk in pairs, 3's and to work with accessories (ie: jacket, purse, umbrella, hands in pockets, what to do with hands/arms while walking whatever) things like that. But, the thing is, once you think, okay I understand what I'm supposed to do kindof, the teacher would rush off to teach something else. So we never really stayed on one subject long enough. The table etiquitte thing they mention, was 1 part of 1 class where the teacher would ask do we want a sundae, yogurt parfait, or salad for lunch/snack at mcdonalds, when the food got there she just briefly showed where this fork goes where (I don't remember, and/nor don't care) Then a brief Q & A of what would you do if on a date and... Or you get it. And how to chew, hold the fork, how to bring food to you, not the other way around. So that class was a waste for most people, maybe some need that though
So then there's this activity where you go home and make a commercial for whatever you want but you had to bring it to class the next day (I did it on neutrogena lip gloss) and then say it to the camera. Kinda lame, don't really know why we did it, or at least don't remember.
And they teach you things about health, what's high in calories, what's high in this, blah blah, what you can eat as a snack, and we wrote all of it down, which I still have and look over sometimes. They had a part of class where we were to use are makeup to make it crazy for like high fashion but why? Nothing came out of it, in the learning sense.
I deffenitly do not agree with the price, and what you get out of it. If you have a lot of money, I think its fun. A place to learn about makeup (a little bit) and health. I ended up missing a few classes but I do know the teachers want you to get a camera (disposable) and model. And then return them, which of course was kind of important and also the one I missed (I did had the camera though)
So, I see a lot of people don't really have anything nice to say about barbizon. And I know, for the people who have took the classes, a lot of you think that nothing came out of the class, like your back at point A. The same. And that it was just a big scam - (barbizon also had a meeting with both parents and their children about the dangers of certain modeling agencys and photographers)-but I don't truely believe that 100%.
The are tons and tons of people who have made it successful through barbizon, here are just a few of the people who are, thanks to barbizon:
Sean Faris joins the cast of the CW TV hit show "The Vampire Diaries"
Nicole Cale Anderson who, after a lot of hard work and TV commercials, stars as 'Macy' on the disney series "Jonas" (about the The Jonas Band) I believe also was in the ABC movie "Princess" and has also had parts on Hannah Montana, ICarly and Unfabulous.
Mario Cassem appears on Nickelodean TV show "Brainsurge" has had parts or apperiances on Zac Effron and will be appearing on "Finding Bliss" and also "Stacys mon"
Patricia Ashley in an episode of ICarly & MTVS's "Scream Queen Promo"
And lastly: Lyndsy Fonseca stars in Hallmark Channel Original Movie "Ordinary Miracles" (10/16/09 & 10/17/09)
There was a girl who was in the movie "Sleepover" the girls whose parents car she took that had to charge to a tree or something, was also a Barbizon Student.
All in all. Save The Money. Unless you have it to blow. Yes, for most it was fun, but my mom had to borrow the few thousand dollars they charge you with. Is it worth it? Do you get your moneys worth?
My answer: NO
Sorry its so long, I wanted to give you an idea, in case your wondering what type of things happen there, and what you will be wasting your money on.
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