To all you wonderful parents, grandparents aunts and uncles out there...
First of all, congratulations for taking the time to ask questions and learn all you can. Doing the research will definitely help you with your journey of pursuing your child's interest in performing. For those of you with "wee' ones, this will help you know where to start, but you must allow it to be your child's choice as they get older and can decide for themselves. Just like a sport or hobby, you don't want to "push" your child into something that they are not comfortable with.
You may ask - how do I know if my child is interested or is right for the entertainment industry? Many children start imitating everything they see on TV or sing songs all the time, whether it's something they've heard or something they've made up. They put on their own little skits or plays. They like to perform for family and friends. They love to talk to strangers and are very outgoing.
Now, some don't do this if they've not had any exposure to things like this yet. Exposure is the key. In addition to TV, or if you don't own one, take them to childrens' plays, movies, a ballet (boys, too), the baseball game and take note of the anthem singer, anywhere where there are performers. Also, see how they react with strangers. I know the world we live in can be a scary place, but with guidance, see how they interact with adults. That will be something they will be doing on a regular basis when they become involved in performing.
Get them involved in school plays and/or community theater groups. Giving them the chance to be on a stage will let them know if they like it or if they don't. See how they react. Do they want more? Let them guide you. If they love it and continue to be involved in different shows, it's important that they also shouldn't feel that they always need to be the "lead" in any and every show they are in. Just being a part of it is what should count. I love the saying - there is no "I" in ensemble. Having the right attitude will take them far. Earning the lead is one thing and there are some children that are sometimes blessed with that factor, but having a "diva" attitude gets old real quick!!! Also, please don't be the parent that thinks their child should always have the lead. Let them earn that on their own.
If this is something your child truly has a passion for, be ready to make the commitment. For many households it's a major change in life style. Not the glamorous kind, but the I'm-on-the-road-all-the-time kind. It's long hours and hard work for both parent and child. It takes team work and flexibility for the entire family. You will be constantly juggling schedules, classes, auditions, bookings, rehearsals, transportation, family time, money - you name it. Your child will be working hard to keep their grades to a minimum of a "C" in each subject or class at school, while taking acting, singing and/or dance and learning lines for auditions. You and your child must be able to move on from one aspect of the process to another, deal with the endless disappointments that will come your way without dwelling on them (easier said than done) and still never give up. There are no set rules, amount of time, or number of auditions to go by before your child books their first job. They may go on 50 to 100 auditions before he/she books something. Just keep plugging away. The positive results will be amazing, but it takes time, hard work, commitment and a positive attitude.
Just because your child doesn't book anything quickly does not mean he/she is doing something wrong. What one casting director or director doesn't see in your child, another will see. It just depends what the director is looking for. The director has a vision and if your child is the vision, they usually know the minute the child walks in the door.
Another aspect of the "business" (it is a business) to be aware of is that some productions take so long to come together that even when your child books a job, your child may grow out of the part before they actually start the shoot or the performances. You have to be prepared for all sorts of things to just... happen! That's just the way it can be and it is out of your control. But, wonderful things happen, too. You just never know what new door is going to suddenly open for your child - it happens all the time. You and your child just have to keep the faith and never give up.
Another very important thing to remember when dealing with all of this, is to keep your sense of humor. Uh-huh! Laugh! Be silly! Keep it fun! When it stops being fun for your child, it's time to move on.
In the mean time, you need to start putting a resume together for your child. If they are still young and have nothing to put on a resume, just have a great description of your childs' strengths, talents and attributes to list in a cover letter. They are friendly, outgoing, has a cute giggle, loves to talk to strangers, dances around the house, sings all the time, taught himself the national anthem at age 3, loves having their picture taken, etc. For older children who have something to put on a resume, it would include any talents, skills or experience they've had with acting, singing, or dance as well as cheerleading, gymnastics, musical instruments, martial arts, drama awards, etc. As they start or continue to participate in acting, music and/or dance classes, choirs, school plays, community theatre, or whatever, all these will be added credits to their resume.
Student films are a great way to gain experience in front of the camera and also give your child some footage to have made into a directors reel. These can be listed under the Film category on their resume, if it is a lead or supporting role (a role with lines you have spoken). Do not list extra or background work. You can check out the local colleges in your area and see if they have a film department. Some of them have a place where you can submit your child's headshot and resume for them to keep on file for student projects. You want to do anything you can (within reason) to help further your child's training and experience. That is the FIRST thing that the agents will be looking for.
Background work (being an extra in film and TV) is also a great way for your child to gain some experience and to learn what goes on behind the scenes, but remember, it does not count as "acting" on your child's acting resume.
Next, you'll need a couple of photos to submit to the agents with your child's resume. Home snapshots are fine. You can have professional headshots taken before your child gets an agent if money is not an issue, but be prepared to have new ones taken if your child's agent requests it. They usually do. If you plan on having your child auditioning on your own without an agent, lets say for student films, then you probably should get a set of professional headshots taken. A serious pose for theatrical and a smiling pose for commercial and comedy work. One good pose may work fine for all submissions. They should be natural and not a glamour shot. Casting directors look for "real" and natural looking children - not all made up. It is important that your child's headshot looks like what they will look like when they walk in a casting director's door.
You can get a list of reputable agencies from SAG - Screen Actors Guild by calling 323-954-1600 (LA Branch), online at www.sag.org - click on the talent agent area then click on the city or state or are looking in, the ATA - Association of Talent Agents www.agentassociation.com the Ross Reports, or the book The Agencies--What The Actor Needs To Know published by Acting World Books in either the NY or Hollywood edition. It is filled with current agency information, helpful details and is updated monthly. The Agencies book and the Ross Reports are available in acting related book stores. The Ross Reports is a small monthly booklet that has television production, films in development, agent, manager and casting director listings, which can be ordered through Backstage and found at most major book stores.
Some parents just getting started prefer to have a manager to help them with their child's career. Managers can be very helpful, but remember they will also receive a commission - a percentage (15 - 20%) of any earnings your child receives from jobs they help book for you, in addition to the agent receiving a commission (10%) that the manager worked with for that booking. The commission percentage depends on each individual manager and/or agent and the job it related to. I believe print work is a higher percentage (20+20=40%). Here are the best places to look for legitimate managers: TMA - Talent Managers Association, Inc. www.talentmanagers.org, the NCOPM - National Conference of Personal Managers http://www.ncopm.com, the Personal Managers Directory of Managers for Performing and Creative Talents published by Acting World Books, Henderson's Personal Managers Directory for NY http://www.hendersonenterprises.com and the annual (Jan/Feb) Personal Managers Guide in the Ross Reports here on BackStage at http://www.backstage.com/bso/rossreports/article_displa...01843115&imw=Y&imw=Y
For more information on agents and managers, here is an excellent column worth reading. http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/2006_03_27.html
To submit to an agent, send in your child's photo/s with name, age, height, weight hair and eye color and contact number on the back of each photo (one close-up and one 3/4 body shot if possible), a resume and a brief cover letter stating that you are looking for representation for your child in whatever fields you and your child are interested in whether it's Theatrical (Film and TV) (in NY Theatrical includes Film/TV & Stage), Commercial, Print, Stage, Voice-over, etc.
A legitimate agent does not advertise in the paper or approach you in the mall, solicit by mail or on the phone. Those are the "scam" artists to avoid. Legit agents only accept 10% of jobs booked, with nothing in advance. They do not demand you use "their" photographers or take "their" classes or use "their" vendors. Legit agents will recommend places for you to choose from. To be sure an agent is licensed go to http://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/dlselr/talag.html
If your child is hoping to work in CA or NY, they will need an Entertainment Work Permit. The application form needs to be signed by both you, the parent, and your child's school. For CA, the form can be obtained through the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement office. The application must be mailed in along with a certified copy of your child's birth certificate, a Pediatrician's signature if the child is 1 month or younger and a SASE - self-addressed, stamped return envelope. If it is for a renewal, be sure to include a copy of your child's current permit. The offices are no longer supplying the permits in person and it is preferred that you mail it in. You may take the application into the office, but it will be mailed back to you (supposed to be a 3 day turn-around). Be sure to follow all the directions on the form very carefully. Your childs' grades must be a C or better in each class. This should be taken care of as soon as possible, before your child books their first job.
CA - http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DLSE-Forms.htm
For NY, I would check the labor laws at http://www.labor.state.ny.us/child/index.htm since the laws in NY have been changing. The office is listed below.<br />NY - ACS Administration for Children's Services
Office of Child Performer Permits
150 William Street - Fifth Floor, Room 1
New York, N.Y. 10038
http://home.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/support/childperformers.html
You will also need to open a Coogan Blocked Trust account for your child at one of the major banks or financial institutions that handle them.
Go to http://www.sag.org and click on Young Performers.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the constant changes regarding work permits and Coogan account information, a new and extremely helpful site has been established to help keep you up to date and try to answer all your questions. You can also subscribe to their free Newsletter. I highly recommend this site. www.bizparentz.com. The moms that started this are amazing and they are doing all they can to help make working in this industry a safe, positive and rewarding experience for both parent and working child.
US Passports - Be sure your child and at least one parent or guardian has a US Passport. You don't want your child to suddenly lose out on a job they just booked because the job is being filmed outside the US and your child and whomever is going with them does not have their passports. Things happen quickly in this industry and you/guardian and your child need to be ready to go at a moments notice. US Passport should also be listed at the bottom of your child's resume. Remember, when you apply for your child's passport, both parents must be there in person or if both of you cannot, you are required to have a notarized letter stating approval. http://travel.state.gov
If you want to find auditions on your own, there are several places you can look. #1 of course, is here or the hard copy/printed version of Back Stage or Back Stage West on the West coast and Show Business Weekly on the East coast. The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety sometimes have casting information, as well as your local newspaper for local theatre groups. There are also preproduction notices in The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesdays and Daily Variety on Mondays (cable), Thursdays (TV) and Fridays (film) and the Ross Reports. There are also reputable information and casting sites which are: www.actorsaccess.com - (actors access allows you to post your resume and a couple of photos online and peruse the breakdowns for free), www.lacasting.com www.nowcasting.com www.actorsequity.org http://web.playbill.com/jobs/find www.actornews.com www.nycastings.com and www.showbusinessweekly.com
Start finding and collecting classical and contemporary monologues - toddlers and up to age 4 shouldn't have to worry about this. For young children it can be short poems or cute children's short stories that they pretty much tell in their own words or even songs they like to sing. As they get a little older they can memorize age appropriate material. If they sing, have different styles of songs ready with the sheet music in their key. There are several styles of music, but the most common styles for auditions are musical theatre, up-tempo, ballad, pop/rock and gospel. Remember, you want to show off your child's personality, or the characterization of the role they are auditioning for, with what they sing. An example is you may know the National Anthem, but it's not a wise choice to use unless it is requested. That choice would show your vocal range, but it would not show very much personality.
Also, read, read, read as much as you can, starting with all the threads on this message board (use the find/search button for specific topics), "How To" books on acting, auditioning, self-management, the business of acting, casting director and actor interviews, plays, screenplays, autobiographies, the informative columns on the casting web sites, etc. Anything you can get your hands on. There are many helpful suggestions right here on the boards or if you go to Amazon.com it will also show you other books that are recommended in that particular area of interest especially for children.
Even though your child may not be reading these yet, here are some suggestions for you to learn from. The more reading you do, the more you can help your child in addition to having a better understanding of the business and all the people it takes to make this business work. It's not just about having a talented child. It's about collaboration and respect for ALL those involved.
First of all, you should be reading Back Stage or Back Stage West, religiously, either here online or in print. The printed version comes out every Thursday, sometimes available on Wednesday afternoons in drama book stores. Another good one is Show Business Weekly focusing on New York and the tri-state area.
Here is a wonderful BackStage article about child performers http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/features/feat...ontent_id=1003255826
There are also very informative columns written by well respected industry professionals on Showfax http://more.showfax.com/columns http://more.showfax.com/plus/pov and NowCasting https://www.nowcasting.com/actorsink
Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business 2nd Edition by Bonnie Gillespie - a must-read. What every actor needs to know to help them manage the business side of theirs or their child's career, no matter where they live. http://cricketfeet.com/smfa
Casting Qs by Bonnie Gillespie - another must-read for beginning actors as well as established professionals. A delightful and insightful collection of Casting Director interviews that help you see how Casting Directors are really on your side. This will help parents know what casting directors are looking for and what they expect of the actors while waiting in their office. http://cricketfeet.com/castingqs
Acting Qs: Conversations with Working Actors by Bonnie Gillespie and Blake Robbins - a collection of heartfelt conversations with working actors, sharing their experiences from the time they were first interested in performing. A great read. http://cricketfeet.com/actingqs
Act Right: A Manual for the On-Camera Actor by Erin Gray (of Silver Spoons) and Mara Purl - this book is not a how-to-act as in "acting" book. It's about appropriate behavior on a set which everyone, cast and crew alike, will relate to. It describes so many little details from personal experiences to the in's and out's that other books leave out about working on a set for film or television. Another great read!
It's a Freeway Out There!: The Parent's Guide to the Film and Commercial Industry by Judy Belshe - geared for parents in the LA area. Very informative.
ACTING For Young Actors: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Mary Lou Belli and Dinah Lenney
http://www.actingforyoungactors.com/book.html
Acting is Everything: An Actors Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles 11th Edition by Judy Kerr - everything the LA actor needs to know, including a child actors section. This book is also known as the actor's Bible for LA, although it has information and references for other states as well. http://www.judykerr.com
An Actor's Guide: Making It in New York City by Glenn Alterman - great information for NYC.
Acting for the Camera: Revised Edition by Tony Barr
Breaking into Commercials: The Complete Guide to Marketing Yourself, Auditioning to Win, and Getting the Job by Terry Berland, Deborah Ouellette
The Glam Scam: Successfully Avoiding the Casting Couch and Other Talent and Modeling Scams by Erik Joseph
Scams are something very important to watch out for. Never accept an audition or go for an interview from a phone call when the caller says someone referred you to them. Same goes for being stopped in the mall with someone saying, "Oh, your child has the perfect look for modeling or acting. Please come in for an interview." Don't waste your time. They just want your money. They will tell you all kinds of things any parent or grandparent would love to hear about their child. Anything to hook you and take your money.
Here are the links to help you research and/or report possible SCAMS: Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov Easy Background Check http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com
Safety is an important issue for any age. Due to so many ways of peoples' identities being tampered with or stolen, it is very important to NEVER list your child's social security number, home phone or address (the city is okay) on anything, even if it is requested on a sign-in sheet or a size card that is filled out at some auditions. You can write in "On file" or "Obtain upon hire" or if your child is a union member, write in their union member number. Be sure to always sign out the time you left on the sign-in sheet when leaving an audition. If you are at a union audition for more than one hour, then do include your child's SS# when signing out, as your child will be paid for audition overtime and they will need the SS# for the paperwork.
I know that there is so much information to take in and at first it may seem overwhelming. You are not alone! Working in this industry is a continuous learning process. As you go along, everything will eventually come into place. Just take it one step at a time. Your first step is to research - and look - you've already started! I'm still learning myself, and I've been at it almost all of my life. There are so many resources that are available today that I did not have many years ago, so I'm happy to share what I've learned first hand from experience. This is only the beginning.
One more thing... and this goes for children and well as parents. BE NICE! Please, please remember your manners. Always show the utmost respect and kindness for the people around you, especially other child actors and their parents. Be quiet and respectful during auditions. Don't be blabbing on your cell phone for others to hear. Go outside to talk, whether it's on the phone or to other friends you see in the waiting room. Also, please don't turn your child's experience into a competition. That's not what this industry is about, although it may seem that way at times. Just don't let it happen. I've seen all sides and it ain't pretty for those who allow this to happen. Show respect and thoughtfulness at all times. You'll be very pleased to see how far that will take you. AND, when your child makes it BIG, remember those same manners. Show respect for yourself and for the people who helped your child achieve their goals. Keep your child grounded. Keep their standards and values high. Don't let anyone take that away from them or you.
A few other sites that are especially geared to parents of working, or soon-to-be working child actors who want to share and learn more are:
Professional Actors Resource Forum known as the PARF board http://people.delphiforums.com/showtalk
Actorsite - get on their free mailing list for their worthwhile weekly newslettershttp://www.actorsite.com
Bizkids http://bizkidstg.com
For background (extra) work, check out http://groups.msn.com/ScreenChildrensMoms/homepage1.msnw and www.backgroundbeat.com.
Well, I hope this helps you get started. Enjoy the journey and cherish every moment. Trust me, it's quite an adventure.
There's a lot of commercials where they require the kids dance. If she could sing, then she could auditions for movies or theatrical productions that require singing. There's not a lot of modeling work for kids so child models are expected to be multi-talented. They expected to be able to do not just modeling but also acting, singing, and dancing. For example, Miley Cyrus was rejected by Disney for many parts before they cast her for Hannah Montana. Her acting ability - taken alone - was not good enough for her to be a serious actress. Her singing ability - taken alone - was not good enough for her to be a professional singer. However, the combination of her ability to act - at some level - with her ability to sing - at some level - was good enough for her to be cast for the role of Hannah Montana. One of my models did a print photoshoot with Miley Cyrus, for Toys R Us.
So, let me tell you more about professional child modeling.
You submit pictures to a variety of agencies. They might write back saying you are "in review" as they are reviewing your pictures. Then if they sign you, they might sign you for an "exclusive" contract, meaning you would not be allowed to do work that they didn't find for you. Of course, there are lots of parents who ignore that. If it's "non-exclusive", you can do any work you want.
Once you are signed, there are three ways which you could be sent to an audition. The first is if it is "by request". This means, the client is looking to hire a child model, and they look through the agent's look book or website, and sees your child's pictures, and thinks they might want to hire your child. The client tells the agent, and then the agent tells you. Then you go to an audition "by request". The client has not yet decided to hire your child. There is no guarantee that they will hire your child. They are likely to hire your child then if they did not request to see your child, although obviously requests are less common then going to auditions when you were not requested. Sometimes, a client will hire a child by "direct booking", meaning by simply viewing their pictures, but that is very rare.
The second is when the client tells the agent what sort of model they are looking for, or just what the project is, and then the agent decides that your child might be good, and then sends your child to the audition. You are less likely to be hired then if it is by request, since the client never mentioned your child, but you are relying on the agent's judgment that your child has a chance of being hired. You are not allowed to go to these go-sees or auditions unless your agent sent you. However, it's been known to happen that some people are "audition crashers" meaning they show up to an audition that their agent didn't send them to, even though they are not supposed to do that.
Third are open auditions, which means anyone can show up, whether their agent sent them or not, or even if they don't have an agent.
When you show up to an audition, what typically happens is you walk in and sit down. If there is a lot of people there, they might have you sign your name on a sign up sheet, and then they call the names in order. If not, they might just say "next". Some parents have their kids jump up and rush up, when they say "next", even if other people were there first. So then you go in, and if it's say for print, they might have a photographer take a few pictures for test shoot, and there are usually a few people there, taking notes, critiquing the child. They might interview the child. Don't have your child wear something with an obvious logo for some other company. Do not bring younger siblings of the child that's auditioning.
What happens next is, if they are not interested, usually the case, you simply never hear back, although they might keep your child's pictures on file. If they are interested, you receive a "call back", meaning they call you and tell you to come back. The call back is similar to the original audition, although there's fewer kids there, and they spend more time on each child. If the audition is for a commercial, they want your child to come to the call back wearing the exact same clothes they were wearing at the audition. If it's for print, they can wear different clothes.
After that, if they decide to hire you, the next stage is you have the "fitting". This is where your child comes in, and actually tries on the clothes they are going to be modeling, to make sure that they actually fit the clothes, and to make sure their actual size is what you say it is, and decide what specific clothes they will be modeling. Some people get to skip the "call back", and instead have what's called "streight to fitting", meaning they liked the child so much during the original audition, they decided to hire them at point, and didn't need to do a call back.
Another possibility is you could receive a "hold", which means they currently aren't planning to use your child, but they could change their mind at the last minute. Let's say they hired a child who doesn't show up? It's like being on stand by. You are supposed to make your schedule free, and be prepared to leave at the last minute if need be.
go-sees - The agent hears about a possible modeling assignment and send your child there because they think they might be good for it.
audition - The agent sends your child to an audition for a commercial, tv show, or movie because they think they might be good for it.
request - The client looks through the pictures of all the models represented by the agent, and likes your child's picture, and request to see your child, although they have not made a final decision to book your child.
direct booking - The client sees your child's pictures, and likes them so much, they agree to book them right on the spot without meeting them first.
call-back - After a go-see, if they are still interested in your child, you might receive a "call-back", where you come back a second time, and there a fewer people there, and they are closer to booking your child, although they still haven't made a final decision.
fitting - If your child is hired, they might call you in before the photoshoot to have her try on clothes to make sure the clothes fit her.
straight-to-fitting - Sometimes when most people have to come back for a call-back, you skip the call back and just come back for the fitting.
hold - A hold is where they have not decided to book your child but they want you to keep your schedule free, and be ready to go down there at the last miniute at short notice, in case, another model doesn't show up, or decide at the last minute to use your child.
photoshoot - The actual photoshoot.
Because most kids go to school, they try to schedule the auditions, call backs, or fittings for the last afternoon. Of course, the actual photoshoot or commercial could be shot anytime, so you have to make arrangements to take your child out of school.
Then you have the actual photoshoot. Look at the print ads you see in the newspaper for an idea of what that is. Part of the contract is that you are reimbursed for some expenses, in addition to whatever pay you get. You are supposed to keep track of your expenses. Then you send that list to your agent. Then the agent sends it to the client. The client then mails the check to the agent. The agent then subtracts 10% and mails the final check to you. This usually takes 30 days, although sometimes with an international client, it could take much longer. If you find work on your own, you are supposed to mail your agent a check for 10% of the money you made. Of course, people often don't do that, and the agent doesn't know about it.
It's very common for parents to constantly pester the agent, asking if there is any work for their child. The agent will let you know if there is. It's also common for parents to blame the agent, if there hasn't been much work for their child. Don't do that either. It's not the fault of the agent if there hasn't been much work for your child, or if your child, for whatever reason, is not what the clients are looking for. Some parents get so angry about what they perceive is a lack of work for their child, is that they constantly switch agencies, going from one to another. That's a mistake. There is no reason to assume that a different agency would be more successful at finding work for your child.
They don't hire kids for every single size of clothes. There are only certain that they actually have model clothes for in ads. If your child is currently between the sizes they hire kids to model for, there is not going to be much work for your child. From the parent's point of view, modeling work for their child is cyclical. At one age, there might be a ton of work, and then when the child becomes older, it dries up, and there is not much work because they are between sizes, and then when they are older, they grow into the next size they hire kids for, and there is suddenly a bunch of work again.
There are parents of child models throughout the country who spend the summer in New York because there's more work in New York.
While I haven't broken down the math, the modeling -- especially for young kids -- doesn't pay well. It's a labor of love! They usually have a 2 hr maximum and print pays somewhere between $50 (magazines) to $150 (some companies). So let's say you get 3 jobs/week (which would be SUPER successful) you're looking at, maybe...$500/wk? Which is not enough for expenses and living in NYC unless you are willing to pay the "extra" for the fun of it and work experience. (And it is a blast!)
The holy grail is getting a commercial...and that can really pay off.
Another option is being a "fit" model if your child has the exact measurements for a designer's size. That can be a pretty good gig, but not for building a portfolio of tear sheets. They pay toward the high end and you can get more work (IF you are that size.) Again, though, if your child is young there is a maximum time frame and it's not that fun as some of the print gigs.
Kids don't need modeling books. However, there is no harm in having a book anyway, just in case someone asks to see it.
You should be familiar with the top modeling agencies for kids, which are as follows: Ford, Generations, Wilhelmina, Elite, CESD, Coast to Coast, Abrams, KSR, Daniel Hoff, LA Talent, Osbrink, and Zuri.
The following website gives more advice for parents trying to get their child into modeling.
http://kidstalent.weebly.com
Let me know if you have any other questions. I look forward to working with you.
Here is advice for parents trying to get their child into modeling and acting.
It's difficult to find work if you don't have experience. Here are some ways in which new models can get experience.
You have to be willing for her to initially work without pay so she can experience that you can put on her resume.
1. Fashion Bug - Fashion Bug often hires models without experience.
2. College Films - College students majoring in film have to make films for class. They don't pay money but you can get experience being a film that you can put on your resume.
3. Stock Photography - Usually during a photoshoot, the photographer is hired by the client to do work for a specific advertisement. However, sometimes, photographers do stock photography, meaning taking pictures themselves, and then selling them to clients. Photographers are usually less choosy when hiring models for stock photography.
4. eBay stores - Sometimes the owner of an eBay store will send you children's clothing. You take pictures of the child wearing the clothes, email the pictures to the store owner that uses them on the website to help sell clothes. Then you keep clothes as "payment".
From a business perspective, it's important for parents to remember it’s not just about how many good auditions we bring your child. Your child has responsibilities as our client to fulfill their end of the contract, and we expect you as the parent, to work together with us to make the most of our relationship. Here are some important things to keep in mind to keep things productive.
1. Show a passion for the work.
You need to show us your son/daughter really wants to do this. When it comes to deciding between joining a sports team which takes them out of commission for four months or going to sleep away camp from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I want to see that my client makes acting and auditioning their number one priority. There are many children who would want to take their place on a top agent's client list. If it isn't fun anymore or other activities are taking preference, it might be time to reconsider being a professional actor. The parent’s commitment level needs to be high, as well. Taking your child to auditions in the city on a weekly (or even daily) basis can be a full-time job.
2. Communicate with your agent.
It's extremely important to let us know when your child is sick, when you'll be out of town, the date of the prom, or the date of a long-standing vacation to Disney World. We want our talent to have lives outside of the business, but you need to give us up front and honest specifics. Nothing frustrates us more when we call with a great opportunity, and our client is unavailable. On the opposite spectrum, it's important to communicate with your agent, but there is a fine line between being proactive and being overly persistent. Use tact in the number of times you call our office or send an email.
3. Be flexible and reliable.
In the commercial world, last minute auditions are common. Casting directors often call in the morning for same-day appointments, and it’s our responsibility to get our actors there and on time. This goes along with prioritizing, but we want to see effort made in getting into the city to make an audition. There are many parents who are always ready, willing, and able to get their kids in last minute and those are the clients I know I can depend on. The more auditions an actor goes on, the more opportunity there is for a booking. Passing on appointments all the time doesn't give the child the best rate of return on their investment in our relationship.
OK, parents, time for some tough love! I’ve met you, fallen in love with your child, and have signed him/her as a client. Now, it's time for you as a parent to sit back, relax, and let me do all the work.
No it's not! This is a team effort, and I need you to do the things to help me have the very best shot at making your child successful. Nothing sums it up better than the famous quote from the 1996 blockbuster "Jerry Maguire": "Help me help you." Or in this case: Help me help your child!
Here are three things you can do to help your child's agent.
1. Professional Pictures. This is not optional! When you came to meet me, you had a copy of last year’s school photo and that was fine at the time. Now I need a professional, up-to-date fantastic picture of your child. Unless your child is under three years old, then a current fantastic snapshot will suffice. I need those photos to capture the attention of a casting director who has hundreds, perhaps thousands of pictures to look at for each submission. You can’t get the job if I can’t get you in the room to audition! Professional pictures don’t have to cost a fortune. I know some of the best photographers who cost between $200-$400.
2. Check your email. I do not want to become your stalker! When I email you an audition, I expect an immediate response with a confirmation. If you are unable to make the audition, I need to replace you ASAP. It is very frustrating to send an email, then another email, text you, and leave several messages on your voicemail before finally getting a response.
3. Maintain your child's online presence. It's important that you create and maintain your child’s profiles on the websites that we ask you to join. These are free websites that are invaluable resources for getting your child auditions. If you do not fill out the resume and upload the pictures that we have asked you to, you are preventing us from promoting your child.
We signed your child because we had faith in their talent and loved their look and their energy. We want your child to work! Please understand that this is a TEAM effort, and we need to work together to maximize your child’s chance at success.
When an actor becomes a client of a talent agency, especially a larger one, it is essential that he or she realizes that they have certain responsibilities. Agents must delegate their workday to securing and signing talent, pitching their actors to casting directors, and putting out auditions in a timely manner. We often don’t have time to check up on each client to make sure all documents are in order. Here are some of the things that youth agents, specifically, rely on parents to be in charge of:
1. Current headshots. If your child looks nothing like their photo that your agent has on file, it’s time to update. This is an investment! It is the number one thing we need. If we don’t have a current headshot, it’s not very likely they’ll get any further than a submission. If you’re going to spend money anywhere with regards to a child’s career, this is it.
2. An updated resume. We can’t keep track of everything your child books, their current height or weight and their latest special skill. Along with a headshot, this is very important especially in the theatrical world. Please take a look at your child’s resume every few months and make sure that it is current. Children's information changes often, and the casting director needs up-to-the-minute information on who the talent is and what they’ve done.
3. Work permits and trust accounts. If you’re new to the business, the agent will most likely walk you through getting a 15-day temporary permit that can be downloaded from the NY State Department of Labor website. After that, parents must mail in an application for a permit that is valid for one year. Please, please keep this date on a calendar. If we book a child on a job and the permit is expired, they cannot work under any circumstances. It is the parents’ responsibility to know the expiration date and send away for a renewal with time to spare. There have been many, many instances where agents are left with no recourse when a child is booked and the permit isn’t valid. Don’t let it happen to you. As well, trust accounts are a must by law for child actors, and parents only need to open one (in person) once. Do it early.
5. Passports. More and more, commercials shoot outside the United States. We get numerous castings that take a child and parent to Europe, African countries, and on international cruises. There is no reason why a serious actor in this business shouldn't be willing and able to leave the country for a job opportunity. Again, it means your agent giving up an appointment time for your child if you don’t have the proper documentation. Make sure an adult in your family also has a current passport to travel as their guardian.
6. Bookouts and current school/after school schedules. As stated in previous columns, agents need to know when a child is unavailable. It’s your responsibility to email that information to your representation so they can document it in the system. We have no idea if you’re out of town if you don’t tell us.
7. Knowledge of the material. If your agent gives you copy to learn for an audition, please make sure the child knows it (preferably off book). Most of the times in the commercial world, scripts aren’t given in advance, but when they are, our clients need to be very familiar with them. Agents consistently hear from casting offices that their talent wasn’t prepared. Parents need to do their part and study it with their child if they confirm the audition. There are probably other things going on that night – homework, soccer practice – but if acting is a priority, please make sure they know their lines.
I often get asked what I look for in a child that makes me want to represent them. While that is a hard question to answer, and most youth agents will say they “just had a feeling,” there is a deeper explanation of what makes such a lasting impression that we can’t forget them long after the meeting is over.
1. The child has a ton of personality. From the moment I meet them, their gregarious nature shines through. They make eye contact, shake my hand, and have no fear. They often bounce into my office and want to tell stories, and have long, distinct answers to my many interview questions. They smile. They react. And they are not shy at all. The successful ones have such a happy demeanor and are smart, often having unique interests or hobbies. I meet so many children who don’t want to come down to my office at all and hide behind their mother, not wanting to be alone with a stranger.
2. Their look is interesting/unique. The commercial business has moved away from the “P&G” look of the 90’s or even early 2000’s – blonde hair, blue eyes, kid-next-door. Now, casting directors want what they call “real” children: teeth missing (even braces can be acceptable nowadays), long hair on boys, interesting faces, and the like. Kids that show their individuality with dress are terrific, but beware of them looking too “Toddler and Tiara” and model-esque. Acting agents – different from modeling agents – don’t want to see a five-year-old with makeup or tutus. The child should be who they are.
3. Focus. Especially with the little ones, it is the agent’s responsibility to determine if a child would be able to focus in a casting office or on a set for eight hours. If they come in to a first meeting and are bouncing off the walls or not able to sit in the chair or answer questions without fidgeting, I will probably pass on them. It’s important for me to find talent that can pay attention to what is going on in front of them. This is an aspect that a lot of parents overlook when they make an assessment on whether their child is cut out for this business. It is one of, if not the most, important factor in children under the age of 10 getting signed by an agent.
4. They have an excellent cold read in the room. I have a binder of commercial copy that I give to the kids at the end of their meeting. I choose it based on what age I think they’d play in an actual casting, and I give them three minutes before they perform it for me. They never have to memorize it, but this gives me a good idea of their instincts and how they handle material being thrown at them. A lot of commercial auditions now include improv, so sometimes I will ask them to tell me a joke on the spot or perform a scene that I make up for them. Most of the time, children I meet do an okay cold read that is nothing special. But then every so often, a child comes in and makes me laugh, or does something interesting that I had never heard before. Those are the kids that I remember. And they are the ones I want to represent.
First impressions are everything. Whether it’s a first date or an interview for that job you really want, oftentimes preemptive decisions are made within the first few minutes of a meeting.
The same goes for agents. I know pretty much from the start if a potential client who walks through the door is someone who I want to represent. It’s important that parents and children realize that a meeting with us is a very important one – if not the most important – because once you leave our office, that first impression can be the difference between us passing on your child or representing him or her.
There are some things that parents can do to prepare their child for an agent meeting. Remember, most agents meet the child without their Mom or Dad present, just like in an actual casting, and it’s important that they be prepped - not coached!
1. Role play and ask questions. Make it fun for the child. Pretend that you’re the agent (or maybe a neighbor or friend can play this role) and you call them in for a meeting. This gives the child the groundwork for what we might discuss with them in the room. Ask them questions and explain to them that it’s important they don’t give one word answers. Most of time our questions are generic – How many siblings do you have? Where do they go to school? What do they do for fun? – but sometimes we’ll ask more introspective questions about the business or about them as individuals. You won’t know specifics, but a guideline always helps. Coming up with a list of talking points is a good thing – just make sure they sound natural and not memorized.
2. Remind them to smile and show their personality. Make sure your child understands that we thrive on positivity and respond well to clients who are happy and outgoing. I can’t tell you how many times I meet children who didn’t want to be in my office at that moment and never cracked a smile or looked up from the ground. I want the young people I meet to feel comfortable, and it can be intimidating to meet an agent. However, the most successful kids in this business won’t care who they’re chatting with and will show their sunny personality automatically. Others need a little coaching so a gentle reminder is necessary.
3. Dress appropriately. Kids should look like kids. There is no need to bring your child to a meeting in business attire or looking like they’re going to a wedding. (I’ve seen it all.) Let them dress themselves that morning and come to meet me however they most feel comfortable. Please: no cleavage, short shorts or makeup on the little ones. There’s also nothing attractive about coming into a professional environment looking sloppy. Showing up to an agent’s office in sweats makes me think that the child (or parent) might not be taking this seriously.
4. Come prepared. Make sure the child arrives with a headshot and resume, and if they are just starting out, a few digital pictures. I never understand how a parent can bring their child to meet an agent and leave us with no documentation on who we just met. Just like you’d bring your resume to a job interview and kick yourself if you forgot one for the hiring manager, this is your calling card.
5. Follow up. A good rule of thumb from my perspective is that no news is bad news. If we want to represent you, we will call or email you immediately. I can’t speak for my colleagues, but if I absolutely HAVE to have a kid on my list, I will stop at nothing until I do. It’s appropriate for you to send an email to check in, but if you haven’t heard from us within a week, move on to another agent.
One of the most recurring questions I get as a talent agent for children is how to make the seemingly daunting leap from acting as a hobby to acting as a professional. Oftentimes, a parent knows what to do when their child expresses a desire to try something new – sign them up for soccer, ballet, gymnastics. When it comes to a kid wanting to be on television, though, helping them fulfill this dream can be a challenge.
In the entertainment business, getting an agent or manager to represent an actor is key. Agents get the casting “breakdowns”, submit talent to casting directors, and bring forth auditions. In the commercials industry, especially for children, success is based mostly on personality and physical appearance. I am looking for children who are extremely outgoing, fearless, extroverts-- friendly young people who won't hesitate to answer anyone's questions or tell a joke in a casting session. I'm looking for kids who are interesting, quirky, and confident with a great look. Some of the most interesting children we meet aren’t necessarily the ones you’d stop on the street to comment on how beautiful they are – but those who come in and charm us.
These standouts are who we want to represent. The good news: we don’t necessarily sign only young actors with a long resume of credits. We will take a chance on someone who has not done a professional gig yet. If we see something special, we know.
1. If your child shows interest in acting, sign them up for a class. This is the first step to see if they really want to do this, or if the desire will fade once things become more structured. There are many resources online as to which acting classes in NY have a good reputation.
2. Get a copy of Backstage's Call Sheet, which you can find at a local bookstore. This great resource lists all the talent agencies in New York and Los Angeles, along with each department within the company. Target those with a youth department and do research online for an email address. Send a short email to an agent along with a digital picture or two of your child. I can’t speak for other agents, but I read every single one of my emails. You just may get a response.
3. A professional headshot is an actor’s calling card. If your child is 10 or older, he or she needs one. This shows me that the child/parent is serious, and willing to invest in their professional career. Headshots don’t have to cost a fortune, and if a child is on the younger side, good digital pictures are fine. Make sure the photos are clear and UPDATED! Nothing is worse than an agent meeting a child who looks nothing like their picture.
4. Talk to everyone you know. We do meet a lot of kids through referrals, and someone you know might be involved in the business or know someone who is. Just like looking for a job, finding an agent is about networking!
5. If one agency turns you down or you don’t hear back, don’t give up. As agents, our tastes vary. It’s all about persistence.
I would love to have a dime for every time someone says, "Your child is so cute. He/she should be in commercials." Even if nobody says it, we all feel that our kids are so cute that they ought to be in commercials. The big difference between the ones who don’t and the ones who actually end up in commercials is you … the parent (or legal guardian). This is your call because the child may have the desire and talent, but she/he can’t get it done without your help. Now you need to know how you can help.
There are a couple of key things that need to be addressed before you head down this road. There will be a huge demand of your time needed if your child succeeds in this business. Your child will have to sacrifice time also. Most auditions and jobs will take place on a weekday, which means that you may have to skip work and your child may have to miss school. This of course means that you must have a flexible schedule and make up time missed from work. At the same time, your child misses schoolwork which must be made up.
For your child to make it in this business both of you will need to learn how to juggle many tasks at once. One thing that you want to make sure of is that you are not forcing your child to do something that she/he really doesn’t want to do. Ask the child if they want to be in commercials, movies or if they like having their picture taken? Let them answer genuinely as kids most often do. If they don’t like it, don’t force them just because it’s what you want.
If your child states that she/he is interested in "show business", you can move to the next phase. Now that you have a green light from your child on this career, here is what you need to do. Read up on the industry so that you know what is right and what is a rip-off in this business. Your child cannot speak up and it is your job to manage and protect your child, even if the child has an agent or manager. You are responsible for how your child is treated and should always be on the set or send someone that you can trust on the set with your child.
Find a photographer that does good work. You can check the yellow pages for a list of photographers but the best way to find a photographer is to ask someone you know and trust; preferably someone with experience in show business. Be sure to check the photographer’s books (e.g. photos they’ve taken) carefully to see if you like their work. When you find the right photographer, schedule a shoot for your child. Discuss with the photographer ahead of time about wardrobe, hair, make-up etc. Most photographers have a stylist/make-up artist that they work with, if you need one. Once you get pictures that you are happy with, you will need to have them duplicated. There are a number of companies that will reproduce prints at a reasonable price.
While you are waiting on the pictures to come back, begin working on your child’s resume. Don’t forget to list everything that shows they know how to perform. The fashion shows and play at school, or if they sing on the youth choir at church. If they belong to any clubs like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, add that to their resume. This is the resume that you will attach to the back of your child’s pictures to send to potential agents.
Write a quick cover letter of two small paragraphs (4 or 5 sentences) explaining that you have enclosed a resume and headshot for the agent’s files and to please contact you to set up a meeting. You may want to check with different agencies in your area ahead of time to see which ones handle kids because not all agencies do. Put together a package that includes a headshot, resume attached to the back of the headshot (stapled at all four corners) and the cover letter. Hopefully agents will call you in to meet with your child and you will be on your way.
Finally, be sure to have an answering machine and maybe a pager so that the agent can get in touch with you. When the agent calls, set up an audition time and find out how the child should dress and what the job is for. This information is helpful so that you can brief your child by saying things like:
This is going to be lots of fun because they want you to play with toys OK, let’s practice. How would you look if you didn’t feel good?
Show me your funny face.
Show me your sad face.
Show me your angry face
… and so on You take at least 2 headshots with resumes to each audition. You will probably only need one, but have an extra one just in case.
As your child gets work, keep updating the resume to reflect the new experience. As the child gets better and better, begin to move the career forward and maybe you will have a little star on your hands. Good luck to you and your kids.
Working with young people on the set can be the most rewarding / difficult thing. There are lots of factors that determine which experience you will have. First and foremost you need to realize that a child is just that, a child. There are certain needs that a child has and as the adult you should be prepared to try and facilitate those needs, within reason of course.
Remember that children are generally honest and are also very perceptive. If you get upset with them they will know it and you can imagine how this might affect their performance. Try the old litmus test of putting yourself in the child’s shoes. When is it easier for you to work? When the director is understanding of your dropping a line, or when the director is making you feel like a child by openly chastising you for being human? I think we all know the answer to that question.
If you can become rattled on the set because of circumstances beyond your control or because of the way that the crew treats you, just imagine how those same situations could effect the confidence of a youngster. Do everything that you can to accommodate the children on the set, particularly if the child has to interact with you. If you know that even the possibility exists that you might interact with the children, don’t wait until the scene begins to acknowledge them. Try to get introduced to them early on and begin to interact with them slowly as the day goes on.
If it is at all possible, ask that the director or the child’s guardian introduce the child to you. A child takes much better to someone introduced to them by their guardian rather than some stranger who just walks up and acts as if he knows them. Remember that children are perceptive and smart. If you act as if you know them, they will wonder what you are up to. This will make them stiff and not natural when interacting during a scene.
You should not ask questions that you don’t want to hear the answer to because children will generally tell you the honest and sometimes brutal truth. If they tell you something, accept it for what it is and figure how you can use it to make the child feel more comfortable with you. Don’t force your friendship on the child. You are there to work and you don’t need to hang out with the child all day unless the child wants to.
Finally, give the child praise for doing a good job. This helps build the child’s confidence, which will make them want to perform better. If you lend a little help to a child, it will make you feel great at the end of the day. If the child on the set were your child, how would you want the actors to treat your child? Exercising patience can go a long way in life and even farther when applied to children on the set.
We receive a lot of e-mails from parents about how to get their kids into show business. You can find plenty of information by doing a Google search to help you with this topic, but I want to take a slightly different approach with this article. For our purposes in this edition, let’s talk about the fact that these are our children and the simple yet sometimes overlooked fact that kids are people too!
Oftentimes children become actors because someone takes a look at your child and says, "She is so pretty. You should get her in commercials." While this is sweet and very good for a parent’s ego, it may not be the best thing for the child. Let’s say that you agree and begin to pursue the idea. Be honest with yourself. How many people ask their children if they want to be in commercials? Even if you do, do you think the child really understands what is involved? Let’s talk about some of those things.
Does the child or you know that there may situations where the child has to work outside under hot lights in the middle of summer? The child may have to work in studios with hot lights and it can become really hot. The child may have to spend lots of time studying and memorizing lines while the other kids are out playing. If the child becomes a big money maker, you might become over protective because the child will be more than just your child, but your source of income.
Be sure that you don’t enter or continue in this business because you are trying to live up to other people’s expectations. Once you get your child started in the business, constantly monitor how the child responds to auditions and actual jobs. Is she/he still interested or do they cry before going. Do they ask if they can just stay home or go out and play? Listen to your child and do what is best for the child.
This also means that if your child loves the business and can’t wait to get in front of that camera, nurture their career and try to find a happy medium between being a working actor and a child that needs to have friends and play from time to time. If your child grows up to be a huge star and enjoys a great career…wonderful! If your child grows up to have lots of fame and fortune, but suffers from emotional problems and feels robbed of a childhood, who will be to blame? These are things that you need to consider. This can be a great move for you and your child, just pay attention to the child and don’t become side-tracked by the money and stardom of the business.
Your child will need two legal documents in order to work in the industry: a work permit from the state where he resides and a Social Security Card. Obtaining a work permit may vary from state to state. Please check with the Department of Social Services in your area. If you have a talent agency, they should also be able to help you with this.
Obtaining a work permit for your child is easy. In California you can get one at no cost from the "Entertainment Work Permit Department" found at the Department of Social Services in you area. Work permits are good for a six-month period and must be renewed every six moths thereafter. Some parents make the mistake of waiting until the child booked a job before obtaining a work permit. Don't be caught unprepared! It is entirely possible to find your child has booked a job late Wednesday night and is expected to report to the set early Thursday morning. Without an original copy of a work permit from your state, your child will not be allowed to work. You won't fool the production people of the social worker/studio teacher by saying you lost if or left it at home.
For child actors, this is a hard and fast rule: without a work permit, your child will not be allowed to work!
Work permits are required by the child's home state and must be signed off by a social worker/studio teacher who is hired by the state to take care of your child's school and labor needs on the job. If your child is shooting out of town or in another state, the social worker/studio teacher from his home state may want to accompany him to the state in which the project is being filmed.
Your child works under the laws of his home state, no matter where in the United States (or outside the United States) he is filming. For instance: if a child actor resides in California but is filming a project in Utah, the child and perhaps a California social worker/studio teacher will go to Utah to make the movie, but both will work under the laws of the State of California. The child's parent or guardian must go as well, of course. The state makes no exceptions to the this rule. Labor laws have been designed by each state to protect both child and parent.
The first time you apply for a work permit, if your child is school age, you will need to present a copy of his birth certificate as well as the name and address of the school he currently attends. If school is in session, it must acknowledge that your child's grades and conduct are in good standing. If school is not in session, you must present a copy of your child's last report card with your application. If your child is under five years of age, you will only need to present a copy of his birth certificate to obtain a work permit.
After the initial permit is processed, the Department of Social Services will send your renewal forms by mail (two weeks before the current permit's expiration). Questions can be directed to the Department of Social Services. You will retain an original copy to be presented to the social worker/studio teacher when your child works; if you leave the original at home, you will have to return home to get it. Another original is kept by the Department of Social Services.
The purpose of the Social Security Card is to allow payment to be made to your child when he is working. It is state-regulated; payment to a minor cannot legally be made until the number is secured and given to the company that hired your child. It should be easy to obtain a Social Security Card because most children acquire Social Security numbers for their parents' income tax deduction purposes.
A card can be obtained from the Department of Social Security either by mail or by visiting a local office. Call 800-772-1213 to have an application sent to you through the mail. You can also visit their Web site. The forms are available on-line. Two forms of identification are required, a birth certificate and any other form of identification with the information of your child's birth printed on it. If you want to visit the office in person, call the Social Security office to make sure the office still does business at the listed location; offices close on a regular basis and you may have to travel a long distance to find one that is open.
"Coogan" accounts are trust accounts required by the states of California and New York as a condition of issuance of work permits for minors who wish to work in the entertainment business. They are named for Jackie Coogan, who was a child star of the 20th century whose earnings were squandered.
As I understand it, 15% of any minor's income "from the business" must be set aside in one of these accounts via direct payment from the employer. A parent or guardian will be the trustee of such an account, but withdrawals are not permitted (except transfers to another Coogan account). The trustee must turn the funds over to the kid at age 18, and the kid cannot touch the money until then.
If you're the parent of a child or teen actor who has begun working on projects in the industry without the guidance of a talent agent or manager, it's critical that you familiarize yourself with the child labor laws and regulations in your state. Not only is it important because it's the law, but these regulations are put in place for the benefit of the child or teen and are great guidelines to follow.
States can regulate many aspects of a production when it comes to kids and teens working in the entertainment industry. Before your child walks on set, make sure you find out the answers to the following questions:
What's the maximum number of hours my child can work on set?
Are the hours different for school and non-school days?
How much light can/will my infant be exposed to?
Is my child required to have a work permit?
Is a studio teacher required to be on set?
How much time does my child get for rest and recreation?
Are there any exceptions?
There are always gray areas, loopholes and exceptions. For example, many regulations are determined based on the age of the actor. However while a seventeen year old student in California may only be allowed to work between certain hours, a seventeen year old who has graduated from high school is not subject to child labor laws and can work as an adult. Whether your child has a manager or not, you are your child's primary advocate. A production set can be a harried, hectic environment and if a director is running behind schedule he may not want your child to get their mandated break time. It's up to you to put your foot down to make sure that your child has a healthy, balanced and enjoyable experience in the industry.
Here you can read about filling tax returns for child actors and child models.
You should be familiar with the following types of documents.
Work Permit - in California, a current and valid entertainment work permit must be presented to the studio teacher upon arrival. Check your local state laws to find out the requirements in your state. If you use CIF's permit service, you'll receive your permit in an easy to use folder that will allow you to carry your additional paperwork as well.
Coogan Account Info - In California, make sure to have a statement of trustee for proof of a minor blocked trust account. Check your state laws to see if a blocked trust account is required in your state as it is in many other states outside of California such as Kansas, New Mexico, Tennessee and New York.
W-2 Form - this form is related to your child's taxes and you'll receive one whenever you work as an employee for a production. You will be asked for an SSN and how many deductions you want to claim. You will use your child's social security number. "If your child does not have one, the parent should contact the local office of the Social Security Administration to obtain one," suggests David K. Rogers of Actors Tax Prep. "They will need a certified copy of the child's birth certificate to obtain the number and you will fill out Form SS-5."
W-9 - you'll be asked to fill out a W-9 when working as an independent contractor. In this situation, no taxes are withheld, but a SSN is required for your 1099. This is most common when working in print modeling. Make sure you realize that taxes will be owed come tax time.
I-9 - An I-9 document proves that you have the legal right to work in the US. The I-9 form requires you to attach supporting documents such as a passport or birth certificate, social security card, etc.
Time Card (Voucher) - Production will give you a time card to complete. There are two kinds - union and non union. If you have representation, your rep will ask you to use their info in lieu of your own when completing this form. This is to ensure that your pay check goes to their office for documentation and payment processing. This is standard, so you don't need to be alarmed that your paychecks go to them first.
Contracts and Deal Memos - Contracts and Deal Memos are written agreements pertaining to your employment stating what you have been hired to do. "Deal Memo" is a term that independent producers use for employment contracts. The word "contract" generally implies that the document is legally binding, so the term memo is sometimes used to imply a less formal agreement. Regardless of the title, it is important that you read whatever you sign and that you discuss the information with your agent and/or manager.
Releases - A release is usually a brief document, different from a deal memo, that becomes the license that is attached to the images as they go from the day of production to the finished product. A producer must provide a release in order to sell an image, and the parents of young performers will likely be asked to sign these releases. "A typical release will begin with acknowledgment of the fee," explained Agent Carol Lynn Sher of CESD, "and that in return for paying the fee the talent grants rights and permission to copyright and publish the work." Carol Lynn went on to note that releases hold the producer harmless for manipulations, distortions, blurring or editing of the images and that it will sometimes include confidentiality requests or exclusivity requests.
Parents of newcomers often put too much pressure on themselves and their children on the first few auditions. If you can avoid the pressure whole lapping up the excitement, you will be better off from the start, because there is no reward for pressure except for unnecessary stress on your child.
Remember, the first call is only a first look. It simply means that the casting director has seen your child's picture and now, he would like to see for himself if your child has that "certain something" when they meet him in person.
There shouldn't be any pressure put on your child - no matter how important you may feel the audition is. You will never inspire in your child a positive attitude about acting if, every time he feels apprehensive, your disappointment in him is overwhelming. While your child may be exactly what the casting company is looking for (in your mind, anyway), so might fifty other kids! If your child has done his best on the audition, that is all you should expect from him. However, if he is having a rotten day and doesn't feel like performing, there shouldn't be hell to pay from you.
Don't make your child perfect; this isn't a modeling call or a beauty pageant. This is reality and casting directory want real children. Child actors must be relaxed at all times in order to perform their best work. Whether our child is "on" or "off," your job is to keep him cool. The climate should always be cool, calm, and collected. Your child is there to show off and shine.
Children are like little sponges. If yours thinks you're freaked our by all this, how do you expect him to respond? Your child should feel that this new venture fits into his life, not replaces it. A little dirt on his face, messed up hair, or a wrinkle on his shirt, can actually be a plus in keeping him relaxed enough to book a job. No, parents, we don't suggest you take your child on calls like he just rolled in dirt. What we are trying to suggest is that you allow your child to be himself whenever possible.
Another important consideration, especially for infants, is your child's ability to separate easily from you. Will your infant go to a stranger without screaming when you hand him over? Casting directors won't give him a few days or even a few minutes to bond with the actor(s) playing his parent(s) during the audition. It's now or never when infants and the audition process are concerned. You will be in the room with your infant, but you will not be in front of the camera with him.
Do you think your child is cut out for acting? You child's behavior and personality should give you an idea of his potential acting ability. Most parents can recognize, just by looking at their children, whether or not they possess the qualities and disposition necessary for the industry. If you think your child might be a good actor, but you aren't sure if he has the requirements, here is a list of questions that will help you sort it out.
Is your child (A) outgoing and animated; or (B) quiet and shy?
Does he (A) say hello to someone when he's introduced; or (B) become distracted by things in his environment and not realize that someone is speaking to him?
Does he (A) love to sing and dance for you; or (B) think stuff like singing and dancing is stupid?
Does he (A) imitate what he sees on TV; or (B)forget what he watching five minutes ago?
Does he (A) respond when he's asked his name or age by someone he doesn't know; or ( shrug his shoulders as if he no longer remembers what language he speaks?
If you answered "A" to these questions, that's terrific! Most would-be industry children are little hams by nature, willing to show off at every opportunity. Your child's ability to meet new people easily and to show off for them will be one of the most important factors in his career. We have to remember, nonetheless, that as responsible parents, we raise our children not to talk to strangers and the world of show business is contrary to this upbringing by 180 degrees.
We therefore advise you to have continuing discussions with your child in this topic, especially after his career is launched. Make sure he knows the difference between meeting an unfamiliar casting person or working with a cast and crew of strangers, and speaking to strangers outside of these industry- type situations. The rules you teach him about talking to or going with strangers should remain the same as if he were not in the industry. You may even discover he likes the idea.
Before you begin launching your child into the spotlight, we recommend sitting down and discussing with him your thoughts about his possible acting career. Be specific when you talk to your child; be sure he understands exactly what is required of him.
A child actor's career should be something you and your child decide to do together. This endeavor requires both parent and child to be voluntary participants. After all, we're talking about his life too! His feelings on the subject must be considered. If you approach the topic positively, your child will likely respond positively. You may even discover he likes the idea!
Here are a couple of suggestions for testing the water. Before to making your decision (and long after you've committed to it, too), watch programs that focus on children your child's age. You'll find lots of child actors in television commercials too; in fact, in the beginning, your child will go out on more interviews for commercials than for any other medium. (TV series, feature films and movies of the week usually come after your child has done a few commercials.)
When watching children, make comments to your child. For example, while viewing a pudding commercial featuring a five year-old boy, you might say, "Wasn't he cute? I'll bet you could do that." If your child offers an affirmative response, ask him to say a couple of lines about chocolate pudding; the lines do not have to be the same as those in the commercial. Let him make up something on his own. He may surprise you. If he can easily mimic what he hears, he's ready.
If your child willingly performs for your upon request, he'll willingly do it for others, like casting directors, producers, and directors. Of course, there's a big difference between performing for you and performing for someone outside the family.
Once your child is going out on calls, keep in mind that he's just a kid. There will be days when he is "on" and days when, no matter what you promise him, he just won't do anything for anybody. Will the casting people understand? Of course they will.
There will be other calls, other projects, and there's no need to burn bridges with casting directors over an attitude caused by a missed nap. Keep in mind, however, there are dozens more kids just like yours lining up right outside the door, ready and willing to stand up and be counted. All the casting people have to do with a child who won't perform is say, "Next."
Infants, toddlers, and young children change in appearance much too quickly and the legitimate agencies understand that. Under the age of 4 - these agencies will only require a few snapshots of your child.
Take a close-up shot of your child. (Head and shoulders - Don't get so close that the image is blurry)
Take a full length shot of your child
Take one character shot of your child - something that shows the child's personality - feel free to use props with this shot.
Find a place that is bright and evenly lit - DON'T use a flash
Don't send 50 photos to the agencies - just 2 or 3.
If an agency accepts your child - be prepared to update these images every 6 months or so.
Children aged 4 through age 13 will generally only need headshots. These images should be professionally done. Even at these ages, you will need to update these images every year to a year and a half at the most since children will change dramatically from year-to-year.
A composite is only helpful if a child has very different and distinctive looks and should not be considered until an agency has proven themselves to you by getting your child work.
When you first show up to an audition or casting call, you would normally bring 2 or 3 pictures. However, if you get past that stage, they will probably want to see your child's portfolio. Also, if you go to a go-see for a modeling agency, you should bring a modeling portfolio. You should use a photo album, and fill it up with pictures. If your child has already done paid modeling work, those pictures should go at the beginning of the portfolio in order from most to least recent. It's especially important for girls to have a modeling portfolio. In order for your daughter to be a professional, she needs to have a portfolio that you can show to photographers, advertising agencies, and casting directors interested in hiring her. You can hire a professional photographer. It's good to have a wide variety of pictures. You should take professional looking pictures for her portfolio, including the following.
Full length shot
Smiling head shot
Maybe a few more playful shots
photos should be clear
In focus
No other children in photos
headshot - like a school picture
different facial expressions - surprised, happy, sad, pouty, mischevous, etc.
action - such as jumping in the air, dancing, gymnastics, cartwheels, etc.
casual - such as, tanktop, pants, skirt, overalls, shortalls, etc.
formal - formal dress like a flower girl at a wedding
swimwear - bikini and one-piece suit
sleepwear - pajamas or nightgown
underwear - panties, both with and without a crop top
nude - cute pictures that make you go "awww!" Think of the Coppertone ad.
Also, try to have pictures with different hairstyles, such ponytial, pigtails, or braids.
Of course, you do not need to have underwear pictures or nude pictures. If you are a model, or the parent of a child model, you should never do anything that you do not feel comfortable doing. You don't have to have nude or underwear but there's no reason not to do it. Your daughter will be more likely to get modeling or acting work if you include cute nude pictures in her portfolio that are appropriate for her age. You should trust the people who work at the agency to be professionals, the same way you do if you take your child to the doctor who sees your child undressed. These are adorable images capturing fleeting childhood innocence. Ivory Soap did an advertising campaign called "Ivory Baby" in which the kids posed nude. When you do nude pictures, it's important that you don't show any "private parts" in the picture. Try doing a side view or back view. Brooke Shields modelled nude when she was 10 years old. Lindsay Lohan did a nude scene in the Disney movie "Parent Trap" when she was 12 years old. You should also write a resume with the following information.
Childs age / date of birth
height
up to date sizes
shoe size
if there are any missing teeth
if the child can read
Here is a list of information you should include
Age range:
Hair color:
Complexion:
Hairstyle/Length:
Eyes:
Weight:
Height:
Dress Size:
Suit Size:
Chest/Bust:
Waist:
Hips:
Shoe Size:
Inseam:
Neck:
Citizenship:
Languages:
Here you can see a sample child's resume.
Here's an exercise I recommend for the parents who are trying to get their daughters into modeling.
First have the girls look through catalogs and fashion magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, or Vanity Fair, and pay attention to how the models pose. Then for each of the girls, put together several outfits that capture a certain look, such as commercial modeling, high fashion, haute couture, athletic or sports, Gothic, cheerleader, Western cowgirl, swimwear bikini, etc., Then after that, have the girls model each set of clothes, and try to capture the basic look or feeling. There are different poses you would do when modeling different types of clothes. They would try to learn the different types of poses or facial expressions you would do when modeling different types of clothes. Try different poses like putting their hands on their hips, looking over the shoulder, etc. They should do pictures standing up, sitting down, kneeling, lying down, etc. They should be facing a full length mirror, so they can see themselves. You should have music playing in the background, like dance music or rock music. Then afterwards, critique their modeling, and give them advice. There are photoshoots where they pose the models, and they want models that follow directions. There are also photoshoots where they want models that can improvise, and be able to give great poses with little direction. You can try giving them directions so they can learn to follow directions. You can try having them improvise so they can get used to modeling without direction. So hopefully, your girls can sort of internalize modeling, and the different poses become second nature. Hopefully, the kids will have fun doing it also.
If you look at the history of modeling, for the past hundred years, models have been modeling for advertising, but for 3000 years before that, they modeled only for artists, and half the time, they were modeling for artistic nudes, so there is a huge tradition of models modeling nude. This is especially true for children. If you look at Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, they had nudes of children. In medieval churches, they have paintings of nude children on the wall. In Renaissance paintings, they had nude children called "putti" used as background decoration. In the 19th Century, famous painters such as Adolph William Bougereau and John Waterhouse did child nudes. Many 20th Century photographers did nude child photography, such as Sally Mann, Jock Sturges, Edward Weston, Richard West, Ron Oliver, Charles duBois Hodges, Anne Geddes, Suza Scalora, etc. Lewis Carroll, who wrote "Alice in Wonderland" did nude child photography. Edward Muybridge, who invented the motion picture, did nude child photography. Brooke Shields modeled nude when she was 10 years old. Lindsey Lohan did a nude scene in the Disney movie "Parent Trap" when she was 12 years old.
When you are trying to get your child into modeling, it certainly helps to include nude pictures in their portfolio because a lot of the modeling assignments for kids require nudity. When they have commercials on TV for children's shampoo, those kids are nude when they shoot the commercial. One of my models was hired by Ivory Soap for the Ivory Baby ad campaign, and of course she was nude when they did the photoshoot. There's a lot of advertising where the kids have to be nude. Coppertone has an ad where a dog pulls down the bottom of a little girl's swimsuit, so then the little girl is nude in the ad. "Singer" sewing machines did an ad where a little girl in the nude at a sewing machine, and the caption says "For the woman who has nothing to wear". There's also a lot of movies and tv shows where the kids have to do nude scenes. There's movies such as Tom Sawyer, Oliver Twist, etc. where the kids have to do nude scenes. One of my models was hired for the starring role in a movie, and she did a nude scene when she was 10 years old. They want to make sure the kids are totally comfortable being nude, and not shy or embarrassed at all.
Another reason is because when you are trying to get modeling and acting work for your daughter, you want her to be as cute as possible in the pictures, and nothing makes your daughter as super super cute as possible as having her nude. The nude pictures are supposed to be all smiles and dimples, and would make anyone go "awww!" Another reason they want nude pictures is just to make sure that the girls don't have scars, bruises, blemishes, tattooes, piercing, etc. They want to know what freckles they have, that sort of thing.
Ever wonder what kind of an impression your child's headshots are making on casting directors? Your child's headshot is their passport to the role of their dreams. So if their headshots are not a good reflection of them and their personality, or the quality of their headshots is poor, it may take them longer to get to attain the level of success you’d hoped for. Whether their photos are outdated, or simply not the best reflection of their personality, new headshots are often just what an aspiring entertainer needs in order to land the auditions and the roles they have their hearts set on.
Does your child's photo look natural? Does your child's photo reflect the way they look now and not five years ago? Is your child's photo a clear shot of them, without distracting objects in the background? Are they looking directly at the camera? Does their photo convey the right image for them? Are the clothes they are wearing in the photo contemporary? Did you use a professional photographer? Does your photo conform to industry standards? If you’ve answered no to any of these questions, then you may want to consider taking new photos. Ask friends in the industry to help you select a professional photographer. It’s also critical that your hair, makeup and attire help you portray an image that will grab the attention of casting directors the moment they set their eyes on your photo. Once you’ve taken your photos, don’t rush to the printer. Make sure you have several people look at your proof sheet and offer their opinion on which photos are the strongest. Once there’s a consensus, you’ll be in a much better position to decide which photos would help you get the best results. A headshot that accurately portrays your personality and lets your charisma shine through is the first step towards success in the entertainment industry. Succeeding in the entertainment industry often hinges on the ability to win people over. You have to sell your child as a performer who is not only talented, but who's responsible, professional and courteous to others. Want to get cast? Then dedicate as much energy to winning over the casting director that you dedicate to your craft.
So, how do you go about winning over the casting director? Here are a few easy tips that are guaranteed to help you make a positive, lasting impression on the casting director, and help your child standout as a talent they'll want to work with and endorse.
Submit professional photos that both look like your child and reflect their personality. Bring extra copies of your child's headshot and resume to your audition in the event yours have been misplaced. Consistently show up for your child's auditions on time. Be polite and professional to everyone in the casting office. Dress professionally. Make sure your child is well prepared for the audition. Be receptive to the casting director and take direction as it's given. If possible, see if you can stand behind the casting director during the audition so if your child is looking at you, it appears that they are looking at the casting director. However, that's not always possible. They might have you stand off to side, or they might not even let the parents be present. Thank the casting director for his or her time before you leave your child's audition. And as a little something extra, send a thank you note to the casting director letting them know how much you appreciate them for the opportunity. You can even have note cards or postcards created with your child's photo on them.
The goal is to standout from all of the other actors, singers, dancers and models that the casting directors will meet with. Even if you don't get the job, I guarantee that you will leave a lasting, positive impression and the casting director will remember you when other opportunities arise.
The auditioning process isn't easy, and dealing with rejection can be tough for children. If we're faced with rejection, it is human nature to react. Sometimes we blame others or make excuses. But we can stop being the victim and learn that dealing with rejection is about loving ourselves even when others do not. We can take what would normally be negative reactions and turn them into pro-actions that will help us move forward!
Great things can come out of this experience! Celebrate the fact that you made it this far! You had an audition and that's something to be proud of. Next, learn from your mistakes and look at them as an opportunity for self improvement. After an audition, parents can ask their children positive questions first such as “How do you feel you did?” and “What do you feel you did right?” Then they can follow it up with, “Where do you think you could have done better?” What is the lesson in the whole experience: Were you late for the audition? Did you do the appropriate amount of studying of the sides? Praise is also important, so congratulating them on a job well done – that is, the fact that they put themselves out there in the first place, will help to open positive communication so you can work together on improvement.
Remind your child that if her audition is rejected, it may have nothing to do with her specifically. "We were not rejected. We just weren't the right choice in the eyes of the decision making team," explains Carl Sprayberry in his blog, "Diary of a Showbiz Parent." Casting directors are taking many factors into consideration when choosing a child and many of those factors aren't known up front. That's why it is important to perform well, but also to be a likeable and agreeable family. That means you, the parent, too! So if your child doesn't get a role, be realistic about their abilities, but remind them that casting may have simply been looking for something different. Then take the opportunity to celebrate his or her own unique qualities.
Plan for rejection before it happens. What will you and your family use as a confirmation to know that you are doing well? At first, “doing well” may simply mean going on auditions and doing your best. Then, after a predetermined amount of time, “doing well” may be a ratio of auditions to bookings. If you go on 20 auditions and get one booking, is that enough confirmation to continue? Decide together as a family and you won’t feel as discouraged when things get tough.
Keep doing what you love. Keep doing the things that give you and your child fulfillment. If acting is what fulfills your child, remind yourselves why you are a showbiz family in the first place: is it truly for the love of the craft? If so, taking acting classes and participating in school plays can help to fulfill this passion while you continue to pursue your goals.
Throughout the history of Western Art, one of the primary subjects of art has been nudes, including nudes of children. Go to the Louvre, Getty Museum, or any art museum, or pick up any book on art history, and you will see nudes of children. Here are a few famous paintings of ... gasp!... nude children!
"Madonna and Child" by Giovanni Bellini (1480)
"Madonna of the Meadows" by Rapheal (1505)
"Madonna of the Harpies" by Andrea del Sarto (1517)
"Pucci Alterpeice" by Jocopo Pontormo (1518)
"Danae" by Correggio (1531)
"The Sleep of Antiope" by Correggio
"The Vision of St. Jerome" by Pamigiano (1527)
"Madonna dal Collo Lungo" by Pamigiano (1535)
"Venus and the Lute Player" by Titian (1560)
"Mars and Venus" by Veronese (1575)
"Madonna With Swallow" by Annibale Carracci
"Madonna Enthroned With Saint Matthew" by Annibale Carracci
"Auroa", ceiling fresco by Guido Reni (1614)
"The Immaculate Conception" by Bartolome Murillo (1660)
"Cupid a Captive" by Francois Boucher (1754)
"Cupid With Grapes" by Francois Boucher
"The Little Bather" by Thomas Couture
"Nude Little Girl" by Thomas Couture
"Chloe" by Jules-Joseph Lefeovre (1875)
"Cupidon" by Adolph William Bougureau (1875)
"The Motherland" by Adolph William Bougureau (1883)
"The Bathers" by Henry Scott Tuke (1885)
"Love on the Look Out" by Adolph William Bougureau (1890)
"The Bath" by Mary Cassatt (1892)
"The Hearts Awakening" by Adolph William Bougureau (1892)
"Angst and Puberty" by Edvard Munch (1895)
"The Awakening of Adonis" by Adolph William Bougureau (1899)
"The Children of Lir" by John Duncan (1914)
"Swimming Hole" by Norman Rockwell (1920)
"No Swimming" by Norman Rockwell (1922)
"Inner Shore (Motherland)" by Jean Maclane (1929)
"Dali at the Age of Six When He Thought He Was a Girl" by Salvador Dali (1950)
At the Hermitage or Winter Palace in St. Petersberg, one of the theaters has a large painting of several nude little girls behind the stage.
Nude children have always been one of the primary subjects of photography. Many famous 20th Century photographers have done nude child photography including the following.
Sally Mann
Jock Sturgis
David Hamilton
Jacques Bourboulon
Garo Aida
Bell Henson
Gary Gross
Edward Weston
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Richard West
Ron Oliver
Graham Ovenden
Anne Geddess
Suza Scalora
Frank Cordelle
Edwaerd Muybridge
They sell books of their work at Dalton's bookstore.
Ansel Adams owned an art gallery with Edward Weston who did nude child photography. Edwaerd Muybride who invented the motion picture did nude child photography. Lewis Carroll who wrote "Alice in Wonderland" did nude child photography. Brooke Shields modelled nude for photographer Gary Gross when she was 10 years old. Later, when she was 12 years old, she appeared with full frontal nudity in the movie "Pretty Baby". Lindsay Lohan did a nude scene when she was 11 years old in the Disney movie "Parent Trap". The whole point of nude child photography is to capture fleeting childhood innocence. These are adorable images. Think of the Coppertone ad. There was a musical version of "Oliver Twist" that showed Oliver in the nude. Singer sewing machine did a print ad showing a little girl in the nude, and the caption read "For the woman who has nothing to wear". Ivory Soap used nude children in their Ivory Baby ad campaign. The JCPenney catalog showed a little girl in the nude to sell bathtub toys. The June 2010 issue of "Parents" magazine showed a little boy in the nude. The November 2010 issue of "Vogue" showed a little girl in the nude. The July 2011 cover of "Art Monthly Australia" had a nude picture of Olympia Nelson, 6 years old, taken by her mother, photographer Polixeni Papapetrou. "Miranda" is a stage play that shows a 10 year old girl with full frontal nudity. Natalie Wood did a nude scene when she was 14 years old. Shirley Temple appeared topless dancing the hula. Photographer Frank Cordelle showed a 14 year old girl named Jesse with full frontal nudity. Frank Cordelle took pictures of a 14 year old girl named Jesse, and a 7 year old girl named Nora, in the nude. The Learning Channel had a series called "Body Story" that showed children of all ages, both boys and girls, with full frontal nudity. Miley Cyrus appeared topless on the cover of "Vanity Fair" when she was 15 years old.
The "Think Geek" catalog in Christmas 2009 showed a little girl in the nude. Look at the catalog for Design Tosacano or their website http://DesignToscano.com and you will see nudes of children. The stock photography website http://GettyOne.com has tons of pictures of nude children. National Geographic shows pictures of children showing full frontal nudity.
In the world of art, photography, modeling, and fashion, nudity is common and acceptable for both adults and children. Professional child models model nude for artistic photography and commercial advertising. Professional child actors and actresses do nude scenes in movies and television. It's totally innocent and appropriate for their age. The parents are always present to chaperon. The parents are totally comfortable with it. The kids are not shy about doing it. In that world, it's considered entirely acceptable.
First of all, congratulations for taking the time to ask questions and learn all you can. Doing the research will definitely help you with your journey of pursuing your child's interest in performing. For those of you with "wee' ones, this will help you know where to start, but you must allow it to be your child's choice as they get older and can decide for themselves. Just like a sport or hobby, you don't want to "push" your child into something that they are not comfortable with.
You may ask - how do I know if my child is interested or is right for the entertainment industry? Many children start imitating everything they see on TV or sing songs all the time, whether it's something they've heard or something they've made up. They put on their own little skits or plays. They like to perform for family and friends. They love to talk to strangers and are very outgoing.
Now, some don't do this if they've not had any exposure to things like this yet. Exposure is the key. In addition to TV, or if you don't own one, take them to childrens' plays, movies, a ballet (boys, too), the baseball game and take note of the anthem singer, anywhere where there are performers. Also, see how they react with strangers. I know the world we live in can be a scary place, but with guidance, see how they interact with adults. That will be something they will be doing on a regular basis when they become involved in performing.
Get them involved in school plays and/or community theater groups. Giving them the chance to be on a stage will let them know if they like it or if they don't. See how they react. Do they want more? Let them guide you. If they love it and continue to be involved in different shows, it's important that they also shouldn't feel that they always need to be the "lead" in any and every show they are in. Just being a part of it is what should count. I love the saying - there is no "I" in ensemble. Having the right attitude will take them far. Earning the lead is one thing and there are some children that are sometimes blessed with that factor, but having a "diva" attitude gets old real quick!!! Also, please don't be the parent that thinks their child should always have the lead. Let them earn that on their own.
If this is something your child truly has a passion for, be ready to make the commitment. For many households it's a major change in life style. Not the glamorous kind, but the I'm-on-the-road-all-the-time kind. It's long hours and hard work for both parent and child. It takes team work and flexibility for the entire family. You will be constantly juggling schedules, classes, auditions, bookings, rehearsals, transportation, family time, money - you name it. Your child will be working hard to keep their grades to a minimum of a "C" in each subject or class at school, while taking acting, singing and/or dance and learning lines for auditions. You and your child must be able to move on from one aspect of the process to another, deal with the endless disappointments that will come your way without dwelling on them (easier said than done) and still never give up. There are no set rules, amount of time, or number of auditions to go by before your child books their first job. They may go on 50 to 100 auditions before he/she books something. Just keep plugging away. The positive results will be amazing, but it takes time, hard work, commitment and a positive attitude.
Just because your child doesn't book anything quickly does not mean he/she is doing something wrong. What one casting director or director doesn't see in your child, another will see. It just depends what the director is looking for. The director has a vision and if your child is the vision, they usually know the minute the child walks in the door.
Another aspect of the "business" (it is a business) to be aware of is that some productions take so long to come together that even when your child books a job, your child may grow out of the part before they actually start the shoot or the performances. You have to be prepared for all sorts of things to just... happen! That's just the way it can be and it is out of your control. But, wonderful things happen, too. You just never know what new door is going to suddenly open for your child - it happens all the time. You and your child just have to keep the faith and never give up.
Another very important thing to remember when dealing with all of this, is to keep your sense of humor. Uh-huh! Laugh! Be silly! Keep it fun! When it stops being fun for your child, it's time to move on.
In the mean time, you need to start putting a resume together for your child. If they are still young and have nothing to put on a resume, just have a great description of your childs' strengths, talents and attributes to list in a cover letter. They are friendly, outgoing, has a cute giggle, loves to talk to strangers, dances around the house, sings all the time, taught himself the national anthem at age 3, loves having their picture taken, etc. For older children who have something to put on a resume, it would include any talents, skills or experience they've had with acting, singing, or dance as well as cheerleading, gymnastics, musical instruments, martial arts, drama awards, etc. As they start or continue to participate in acting, music and/or dance classes, choirs, school plays, community theatre, or whatever, all these will be added credits to their resume.
Student films are a great way to gain experience in front of the camera and also give your child some footage to have made into a directors reel. These can be listed under the Film category on their resume, if it is a lead or supporting role (a role with lines you have spoken). Do not list extra or background work. You can check out the local colleges in your area and see if they have a film department. Some of them have a place where you can submit your child's headshot and resume for them to keep on file for student projects. You want to do anything you can (within reason) to help further your child's training and experience. That is the FIRST thing that the agents will be looking for.
Background work (being an extra in film and TV) is also a great way for your child to gain some experience and to learn what goes on behind the scenes, but remember, it does not count as "acting" on your child's acting resume.
Next, you'll need a couple of photos to submit to the agents with your child's resume. Home snapshots are fine. You can have professional headshots taken before your child gets an agent if money is not an issue, but be prepared to have new ones taken if your child's agent requests it. They usually do. If you plan on having your child auditioning on your own without an agent, lets say for student films, then you probably should get a set of professional headshots taken. A serious pose for theatrical and a smiling pose for commercial and comedy work. One good pose may work fine for all submissions. They should be natural and not a glamour shot. Casting directors look for "real" and natural looking children - not all made up. It is important that your child's headshot looks like what they will look like when they walk in a casting director's door.
You can get a list of reputable agencies from SAG - Screen Actors Guild by calling 323-954-1600 (LA Branch), online at www.sag.org - click on the talent agent area then click on the city or state or are looking in, the ATA - Association of Talent Agents www.agentassociation.com the Ross Reports, or the book The Agencies--What The Actor Needs To Know published by Acting World Books in either the NY or Hollywood edition. It is filled with current agency information, helpful details and is updated monthly. The Agencies book and the Ross Reports are available in acting related book stores. The Ross Reports is a small monthly booklet that has television production, films in development, agent, manager and casting director listings, which can be ordered through Backstage and found at most major book stores.
Some parents just getting started prefer to have a manager to help them with their child's career. Managers can be very helpful, but remember they will also receive a commission - a percentage (15 - 20%) of any earnings your child receives from jobs they help book for you, in addition to the agent receiving a commission (10%) that the manager worked with for that booking. The commission percentage depends on each individual manager and/or agent and the job it related to. I believe print work is a higher percentage (20+20=40%). Here are the best places to look for legitimate managers: TMA - Talent Managers Association, Inc. www.talentmanagers.org, the NCOPM - National Conference of Personal Managers http://www.ncopm.com, the Personal Managers Directory of Managers for Performing and Creative Talents published by Acting World Books, Henderson's Personal Managers Directory for NY http://www.hendersonenterprises.com and the annual (Jan/Feb) Personal Managers Guide in the Ross Reports here on BackStage at http://www.backstage.com/bso/rossreports/article_displa...01843115&imw=Y&imw=Y
For more information on agents and managers, here is an excellent column worth reading. http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/2006_03_27.html
To submit to an agent, send in your child's photo/s with name, age, height, weight hair and eye color and contact number on the back of each photo (one close-up and one 3/4 body shot if possible), a resume and a brief cover letter stating that you are looking for representation for your child in whatever fields you and your child are interested in whether it's Theatrical (Film and TV) (in NY Theatrical includes Film/TV & Stage), Commercial, Print, Stage, Voice-over, etc.
A legitimate agent does not advertise in the paper or approach you in the mall, solicit by mail or on the phone. Those are the "scam" artists to avoid. Legit agents only accept 10% of jobs booked, with nothing in advance. They do not demand you use "their" photographers or take "their" classes or use "their" vendors. Legit agents will recommend places for you to choose from. To be sure an agent is licensed go to http://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/dlselr/talag.html
If your child is hoping to work in CA or NY, they will need an Entertainment Work Permit. The application form needs to be signed by both you, the parent, and your child's school. For CA, the form can be obtained through the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement office. The application must be mailed in along with a certified copy of your child's birth certificate, a Pediatrician's signature if the child is 1 month or younger and a SASE - self-addressed, stamped return envelope. If it is for a renewal, be sure to include a copy of your child's current permit. The offices are no longer supplying the permits in person and it is preferred that you mail it in. You may take the application into the office, but it will be mailed back to you (supposed to be a 3 day turn-around). Be sure to follow all the directions on the form very carefully. Your childs' grades must be a C or better in each class. This should be taken care of as soon as possible, before your child books their first job.
CA - http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DLSE-Forms.htm
For NY, I would check the labor laws at http://www.labor.state.ny.us/child/index.htm since the laws in NY have been changing. The office is listed below.<br />NY - ACS Administration for Children's Services
Office of Child Performer Permits
150 William Street - Fifth Floor, Room 1
New York, N.Y. 10038
http://home.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/support/childperformers.html
You will also need to open a Coogan Blocked Trust account for your child at one of the major banks or financial institutions that handle them.
Go to http://www.sag.org and click on Young Performers.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the constant changes regarding work permits and Coogan account information, a new and extremely helpful site has been established to help keep you up to date and try to answer all your questions. You can also subscribe to their free Newsletter. I highly recommend this site. www.bizparentz.com. The moms that started this are amazing and they are doing all they can to help make working in this industry a safe, positive and rewarding experience for both parent and working child.
US Passports - Be sure your child and at least one parent or guardian has a US Passport. You don't want your child to suddenly lose out on a job they just booked because the job is being filmed outside the US and your child and whomever is going with them does not have their passports. Things happen quickly in this industry and you/guardian and your child need to be ready to go at a moments notice. US Passport should also be listed at the bottom of your child's resume. Remember, when you apply for your child's passport, both parents must be there in person or if both of you cannot, you are required to have a notarized letter stating approval. http://travel.state.gov
If you want to find auditions on your own, there are several places you can look. #1 of course, is here or the hard copy/printed version of Back Stage or Back Stage West on the West coast and Show Business Weekly on the East coast. The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety sometimes have casting information, as well as your local newspaper for local theatre groups. There are also preproduction notices in The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesdays and Daily Variety on Mondays (cable), Thursdays (TV) and Fridays (film) and the Ross Reports. There are also reputable information and casting sites which are: www.actorsaccess.com - (actors access allows you to post your resume and a couple of photos online and peruse the breakdowns for free), www.lacasting.com www.nowcasting.com www.actorsequity.org http://web.playbill.com/jobs/find www.actornews.com www.nycastings.com and www.showbusinessweekly.com
Start finding and collecting classical and contemporary monologues - toddlers and up to age 4 shouldn't have to worry about this. For young children it can be short poems or cute children's short stories that they pretty much tell in their own words or even songs they like to sing. As they get a little older they can memorize age appropriate material. If they sing, have different styles of songs ready with the sheet music in their key. There are several styles of music, but the most common styles for auditions are musical theatre, up-tempo, ballad, pop/rock and gospel. Remember, you want to show off your child's personality, or the characterization of the role they are auditioning for, with what they sing. An example is you may know the National Anthem, but it's not a wise choice to use unless it is requested. That choice would show your vocal range, but it would not show very much personality.
Also, read, read, read as much as you can, starting with all the threads on this message board (use the find/search button for specific topics), "How To" books on acting, auditioning, self-management, the business of acting, casting director and actor interviews, plays, screenplays, autobiographies, the informative columns on the casting web sites, etc. Anything you can get your hands on. There are many helpful suggestions right here on the boards or if you go to Amazon.com it will also show you other books that are recommended in that particular area of interest especially for children.
Even though your child may not be reading these yet, here are some suggestions for you to learn from. The more reading you do, the more you can help your child in addition to having a better understanding of the business and all the people it takes to make this business work. It's not just about having a talented child. It's about collaboration and respect for ALL those involved.
First of all, you should be reading Back Stage or Back Stage West, religiously, either here online or in print. The printed version comes out every Thursday, sometimes available on Wednesday afternoons in drama book stores. Another good one is Show Business Weekly focusing on New York and the tri-state area.
Here is a wonderful BackStage article about child performers http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/features/feat...ontent_id=1003255826
There are also very informative columns written by well respected industry professionals on Showfax http://more.showfax.com/columns http://more.showfax.com/plus/pov and NowCasting https://www.nowcasting.com/actorsink
Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business 2nd Edition by Bonnie Gillespie - a must-read. What every actor needs to know to help them manage the business side of theirs or their child's career, no matter where they live. http://cricketfeet.com/smfa
Casting Qs by Bonnie Gillespie - another must-read for beginning actors as well as established professionals. A delightful and insightful collection of Casting Director interviews that help you see how Casting Directors are really on your side. This will help parents know what casting directors are looking for and what they expect of the actors while waiting in their office. http://cricketfeet.com/castingqs
Acting Qs: Conversations with Working Actors by Bonnie Gillespie and Blake Robbins - a collection of heartfelt conversations with working actors, sharing their experiences from the time they were first interested in performing. A great read. http://cricketfeet.com/actingqs
Act Right: A Manual for the On-Camera Actor by Erin Gray (of Silver Spoons) and Mara Purl - this book is not a how-to-act as in "acting" book. It's about appropriate behavior on a set which everyone, cast and crew alike, will relate to. It describes so many little details from personal experiences to the in's and out's that other books leave out about working on a set for film or television. Another great read!
It's a Freeway Out There!: The Parent's Guide to the Film and Commercial Industry by Judy Belshe - geared for parents in the LA area. Very informative.
ACTING For Young Actors: The Ultimate Teen Guide by Mary Lou Belli and Dinah Lenney
http://www.actingforyoungactors.com/book.html
Acting is Everything: An Actors Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles 11th Edition by Judy Kerr - everything the LA actor needs to know, including a child actors section. This book is also known as the actor's Bible for LA, although it has information and references for other states as well. http://www.judykerr.com
An Actor's Guide: Making It in New York City by Glenn Alterman - great information for NYC.
Acting for the Camera: Revised Edition by Tony Barr
Breaking into Commercials: The Complete Guide to Marketing Yourself, Auditioning to Win, and Getting the Job by Terry Berland, Deborah Ouellette
The Glam Scam: Successfully Avoiding the Casting Couch and Other Talent and Modeling Scams by Erik Joseph
Scams are something very important to watch out for. Never accept an audition or go for an interview from a phone call when the caller says someone referred you to them. Same goes for being stopped in the mall with someone saying, "Oh, your child has the perfect look for modeling or acting. Please come in for an interview." Don't waste your time. They just want your money. They will tell you all kinds of things any parent or grandparent would love to hear about their child. Anything to hook you and take your money.
Here are the links to help you research and/or report possible SCAMS: Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov Easy Background Check http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com
Safety is an important issue for any age. Due to so many ways of peoples' identities being tampered with or stolen, it is very important to NEVER list your child's social security number, home phone or address (the city is okay) on anything, even if it is requested on a sign-in sheet or a size card that is filled out at some auditions. You can write in "On file" or "Obtain upon hire" or if your child is a union member, write in their union member number. Be sure to always sign out the time you left on the sign-in sheet when leaving an audition. If you are at a union audition for more than one hour, then do include your child's SS# when signing out, as your child will be paid for audition overtime and they will need the SS# for the paperwork.
I know that there is so much information to take in and at first it may seem overwhelming. You are not alone! Working in this industry is a continuous learning process. As you go along, everything will eventually come into place. Just take it one step at a time. Your first step is to research - and look - you've already started! I'm still learning myself, and I've been at it almost all of my life. There are so many resources that are available today that I did not have many years ago, so I'm happy to share what I've learned first hand from experience. This is only the beginning.
One more thing... and this goes for children and well as parents. BE NICE! Please, please remember your manners. Always show the utmost respect and kindness for the people around you, especially other child actors and their parents. Be quiet and respectful during auditions. Don't be blabbing on your cell phone for others to hear. Go outside to talk, whether it's on the phone or to other friends you see in the waiting room. Also, please don't turn your child's experience into a competition. That's not what this industry is about, although it may seem that way at times. Just don't let it happen. I've seen all sides and it ain't pretty for those who allow this to happen. Show respect and thoughtfulness at all times. You'll be very pleased to see how far that will take you. AND, when your child makes it BIG, remember those same manners. Show respect for yourself and for the people who helped your child achieve their goals. Keep your child grounded. Keep their standards and values high. Don't let anyone take that away from them or you.
A few other sites that are especially geared to parents of working, or soon-to-be working child actors who want to share and learn more are:
Professional Actors Resource Forum known as the PARF board http://people.delphiforums.com/showtalk
Actorsite - get on their free mailing list for their worthwhile weekly newslettershttp://www.actorsite.com
Bizkids http://bizkidstg.com
For background (extra) work, check out http://groups.msn.com/ScreenChildrensMoms/homepage1.msnw and www.backgroundbeat.com.
Well, I hope this helps you get started. Enjoy the journey and cherish every moment. Trust me, it's quite an adventure.
There's a lot of commercials where they require the kids dance. If she could sing, then she could auditions for movies or theatrical productions that require singing. There's not a lot of modeling work for kids so child models are expected to be multi-talented. They expected to be able to do not just modeling but also acting, singing, and dancing. For example, Miley Cyrus was rejected by Disney for many parts before they cast her for Hannah Montana. Her acting ability - taken alone - was not good enough for her to be a serious actress. Her singing ability - taken alone - was not good enough for her to be a professional singer. However, the combination of her ability to act - at some level - with her ability to sing - at some level - was good enough for her to be cast for the role of Hannah Montana. One of my models did a print photoshoot with Miley Cyrus, for Toys R Us.
So, let me tell you more about professional child modeling.
You submit pictures to a variety of agencies. They might write back saying you are "in review" as they are reviewing your pictures. Then if they sign you, they might sign you for an "exclusive" contract, meaning you would not be allowed to do work that they didn't find for you. Of course, there are lots of parents who ignore that. If it's "non-exclusive", you can do any work you want.
Once you are signed, there are three ways which you could be sent to an audition. The first is if it is "by request". This means, the client is looking to hire a child model, and they look through the agent's look book or website, and sees your child's pictures, and thinks they might want to hire your child. The client tells the agent, and then the agent tells you. Then you go to an audition "by request". The client has not yet decided to hire your child. There is no guarantee that they will hire your child. They are likely to hire your child then if they did not request to see your child, although obviously requests are less common then going to auditions when you were not requested. Sometimes, a client will hire a child by "direct booking", meaning by simply viewing their pictures, but that is very rare.
The second is when the client tells the agent what sort of model they are looking for, or just what the project is, and then the agent decides that your child might be good, and then sends your child to the audition. You are less likely to be hired then if it is by request, since the client never mentioned your child, but you are relying on the agent's judgment that your child has a chance of being hired. You are not allowed to go to these go-sees or auditions unless your agent sent you. However, it's been known to happen that some people are "audition crashers" meaning they show up to an audition that their agent didn't send them to, even though they are not supposed to do that.
Third are open auditions, which means anyone can show up, whether their agent sent them or not, or even if they don't have an agent.
When you show up to an audition, what typically happens is you walk in and sit down. If there is a lot of people there, they might have you sign your name on a sign up sheet, and then they call the names in order. If not, they might just say "next". Some parents have their kids jump up and rush up, when they say "next", even if other people were there first. So then you go in, and if it's say for print, they might have a photographer take a few pictures for test shoot, and there are usually a few people there, taking notes, critiquing the child. They might interview the child. Don't have your child wear something with an obvious logo for some other company. Do not bring younger siblings of the child that's auditioning.
What happens next is, if they are not interested, usually the case, you simply never hear back, although they might keep your child's pictures on file. If they are interested, you receive a "call back", meaning they call you and tell you to come back. The call back is similar to the original audition, although there's fewer kids there, and they spend more time on each child. If the audition is for a commercial, they want your child to come to the call back wearing the exact same clothes they were wearing at the audition. If it's for print, they can wear different clothes.
After that, if they decide to hire you, the next stage is you have the "fitting". This is where your child comes in, and actually tries on the clothes they are going to be modeling, to make sure that they actually fit the clothes, and to make sure their actual size is what you say it is, and decide what specific clothes they will be modeling. Some people get to skip the "call back", and instead have what's called "streight to fitting", meaning they liked the child so much during the original audition, they decided to hire them at point, and didn't need to do a call back.
Another possibility is you could receive a "hold", which means they currently aren't planning to use your child, but they could change their mind at the last minute. Let's say they hired a child who doesn't show up? It's like being on stand by. You are supposed to make your schedule free, and be prepared to leave at the last minute if need be.
go-sees - The agent hears about a possible modeling assignment and send your child there because they think they might be good for it.
audition - The agent sends your child to an audition for a commercial, tv show, or movie because they think they might be good for it.
request - The client looks through the pictures of all the models represented by the agent, and likes your child's picture, and request to see your child, although they have not made a final decision to book your child.
direct booking - The client sees your child's pictures, and likes them so much, they agree to book them right on the spot without meeting them first.
call-back - After a go-see, if they are still interested in your child, you might receive a "call-back", where you come back a second time, and there a fewer people there, and they are closer to booking your child, although they still haven't made a final decision.
fitting - If your child is hired, they might call you in before the photoshoot to have her try on clothes to make sure the clothes fit her.
straight-to-fitting - Sometimes when most people have to come back for a call-back, you skip the call back and just come back for the fitting.
hold - A hold is where they have not decided to book your child but they want you to keep your schedule free, and be ready to go down there at the last miniute at short notice, in case, another model doesn't show up, or decide at the last minute to use your child.
photoshoot - The actual photoshoot.
Because most kids go to school, they try to schedule the auditions, call backs, or fittings for the last afternoon. Of course, the actual photoshoot or commercial could be shot anytime, so you have to make arrangements to take your child out of school.
Then you have the actual photoshoot. Look at the print ads you see in the newspaper for an idea of what that is. Part of the contract is that you are reimbursed for some expenses, in addition to whatever pay you get. You are supposed to keep track of your expenses. Then you send that list to your agent. Then the agent sends it to the client. The client then mails the check to the agent. The agent then subtracts 10% and mails the final check to you. This usually takes 30 days, although sometimes with an international client, it could take much longer. If you find work on your own, you are supposed to mail your agent a check for 10% of the money you made. Of course, people often don't do that, and the agent doesn't know about it.
It's very common for parents to constantly pester the agent, asking if there is any work for their child. The agent will let you know if there is. It's also common for parents to blame the agent, if there hasn't been much work for their child. Don't do that either. It's not the fault of the agent if there hasn't been much work for your child, or if your child, for whatever reason, is not what the clients are looking for. Some parents get so angry about what they perceive is a lack of work for their child, is that they constantly switch agencies, going from one to another. That's a mistake. There is no reason to assume that a different agency would be more successful at finding work for your child.
They don't hire kids for every single size of clothes. There are only certain that they actually have model clothes for in ads. If your child is currently between the sizes they hire kids to model for, there is not going to be much work for your child. From the parent's point of view, modeling work for their child is cyclical. At one age, there might be a ton of work, and then when the child becomes older, it dries up, and there is not much work because they are between sizes, and then when they are older, they grow into the next size they hire kids for, and there is suddenly a bunch of work again.
There are parents of child models throughout the country who spend the summer in New York because there's more work in New York.
While I haven't broken down the math, the modeling -- especially for young kids -- doesn't pay well. It's a labor of love! They usually have a 2 hr maximum and print pays somewhere between $50 (magazines) to $150 (some companies). So let's say you get 3 jobs/week (which would be SUPER successful) you're looking at, maybe...$500/wk? Which is not enough for expenses and living in NYC unless you are willing to pay the "extra" for the fun of it and work experience. (And it is a blast!)
The holy grail is getting a commercial...and that can really pay off.
Another option is being a "fit" model if your child has the exact measurements for a designer's size. That can be a pretty good gig, but not for building a portfolio of tear sheets. They pay toward the high end and you can get more work (IF you are that size.) Again, though, if your child is young there is a maximum time frame and it's not that fun as some of the print gigs.
Kids don't need modeling books. However, there is no harm in having a book anyway, just in case someone asks to see it.
You should be familiar with the top modeling agencies for kids, which are as follows: Ford, Generations, Wilhelmina, Elite, CESD, Coast to Coast, Abrams, KSR, Daniel Hoff, LA Talent, Osbrink, and Zuri.
The following website gives more advice for parents trying to get their child into modeling.
http://kidstalent.weebly.com
Let me know if you have any other questions. I look forward to working with you.
Here is advice for parents trying to get their child into modeling and acting.
It's difficult to find work if you don't have experience. Here are some ways in which new models can get experience.
You have to be willing for her to initially work without pay so she can experience that you can put on her resume.
1. Fashion Bug - Fashion Bug often hires models without experience.
2. College Films - College students majoring in film have to make films for class. They don't pay money but you can get experience being a film that you can put on your resume.
3. Stock Photography - Usually during a photoshoot, the photographer is hired by the client to do work for a specific advertisement. However, sometimes, photographers do stock photography, meaning taking pictures themselves, and then selling them to clients. Photographers are usually less choosy when hiring models for stock photography.
4. eBay stores - Sometimes the owner of an eBay store will send you children's clothing. You take pictures of the child wearing the clothes, email the pictures to the store owner that uses them on the website to help sell clothes. Then you keep clothes as "payment".
From a business perspective, it's important for parents to remember it’s not just about how many good auditions we bring your child. Your child has responsibilities as our client to fulfill their end of the contract, and we expect you as the parent, to work together with us to make the most of our relationship. Here are some important things to keep in mind to keep things productive.
1. Show a passion for the work.
You need to show us your son/daughter really wants to do this. When it comes to deciding between joining a sports team which takes them out of commission for four months or going to sleep away camp from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I want to see that my client makes acting and auditioning their number one priority. There are many children who would want to take their place on a top agent's client list. If it isn't fun anymore or other activities are taking preference, it might be time to reconsider being a professional actor. The parent’s commitment level needs to be high, as well. Taking your child to auditions in the city on a weekly (or even daily) basis can be a full-time job.
2. Communicate with your agent.
It's extremely important to let us know when your child is sick, when you'll be out of town, the date of the prom, or the date of a long-standing vacation to Disney World. We want our talent to have lives outside of the business, but you need to give us up front and honest specifics. Nothing frustrates us more when we call with a great opportunity, and our client is unavailable. On the opposite spectrum, it's important to communicate with your agent, but there is a fine line between being proactive and being overly persistent. Use tact in the number of times you call our office or send an email.
3. Be flexible and reliable.
In the commercial world, last minute auditions are common. Casting directors often call in the morning for same-day appointments, and it’s our responsibility to get our actors there and on time. This goes along with prioritizing, but we want to see effort made in getting into the city to make an audition. There are many parents who are always ready, willing, and able to get their kids in last minute and those are the clients I know I can depend on. The more auditions an actor goes on, the more opportunity there is for a booking. Passing on appointments all the time doesn't give the child the best rate of return on their investment in our relationship.
OK, parents, time for some tough love! I’ve met you, fallen in love with your child, and have signed him/her as a client. Now, it's time for you as a parent to sit back, relax, and let me do all the work.
No it's not! This is a team effort, and I need you to do the things to help me have the very best shot at making your child successful. Nothing sums it up better than the famous quote from the 1996 blockbuster "Jerry Maguire": "Help me help you." Or in this case: Help me help your child!
Here are three things you can do to help your child's agent.
1. Professional Pictures. This is not optional! When you came to meet me, you had a copy of last year’s school photo and that was fine at the time. Now I need a professional, up-to-date fantastic picture of your child. Unless your child is under three years old, then a current fantastic snapshot will suffice. I need those photos to capture the attention of a casting director who has hundreds, perhaps thousands of pictures to look at for each submission. You can’t get the job if I can’t get you in the room to audition! Professional pictures don’t have to cost a fortune. I know some of the best photographers who cost between $200-$400.
2. Check your email. I do not want to become your stalker! When I email you an audition, I expect an immediate response with a confirmation. If you are unable to make the audition, I need to replace you ASAP. It is very frustrating to send an email, then another email, text you, and leave several messages on your voicemail before finally getting a response.
3. Maintain your child's online presence. It's important that you create and maintain your child’s profiles on the websites that we ask you to join. These are free websites that are invaluable resources for getting your child auditions. If you do not fill out the resume and upload the pictures that we have asked you to, you are preventing us from promoting your child.
We signed your child because we had faith in their talent and loved their look and their energy. We want your child to work! Please understand that this is a TEAM effort, and we need to work together to maximize your child’s chance at success.
When an actor becomes a client of a talent agency, especially a larger one, it is essential that he or she realizes that they have certain responsibilities. Agents must delegate their workday to securing and signing talent, pitching their actors to casting directors, and putting out auditions in a timely manner. We often don’t have time to check up on each client to make sure all documents are in order. Here are some of the things that youth agents, specifically, rely on parents to be in charge of:
1. Current headshots. If your child looks nothing like their photo that your agent has on file, it’s time to update. This is an investment! It is the number one thing we need. If we don’t have a current headshot, it’s not very likely they’ll get any further than a submission. If you’re going to spend money anywhere with regards to a child’s career, this is it.
2. An updated resume. We can’t keep track of everything your child books, their current height or weight and their latest special skill. Along with a headshot, this is very important especially in the theatrical world. Please take a look at your child’s resume every few months and make sure that it is current. Children's information changes often, and the casting director needs up-to-the-minute information on who the talent is and what they’ve done.
3. Work permits and trust accounts. If you’re new to the business, the agent will most likely walk you through getting a 15-day temporary permit that can be downloaded from the NY State Department of Labor website. After that, parents must mail in an application for a permit that is valid for one year. Please, please keep this date on a calendar. If we book a child on a job and the permit is expired, they cannot work under any circumstances. It is the parents’ responsibility to know the expiration date and send away for a renewal with time to spare. There have been many, many instances where agents are left with no recourse when a child is booked and the permit isn’t valid. Don’t let it happen to you. As well, trust accounts are a must by law for child actors, and parents only need to open one (in person) once. Do it early.
5. Passports. More and more, commercials shoot outside the United States. We get numerous castings that take a child and parent to Europe, African countries, and on international cruises. There is no reason why a serious actor in this business shouldn't be willing and able to leave the country for a job opportunity. Again, it means your agent giving up an appointment time for your child if you don’t have the proper documentation. Make sure an adult in your family also has a current passport to travel as their guardian.
6. Bookouts and current school/after school schedules. As stated in previous columns, agents need to know when a child is unavailable. It’s your responsibility to email that information to your representation so they can document it in the system. We have no idea if you’re out of town if you don’t tell us.
7. Knowledge of the material. If your agent gives you copy to learn for an audition, please make sure the child knows it (preferably off book). Most of the times in the commercial world, scripts aren’t given in advance, but when they are, our clients need to be very familiar with them. Agents consistently hear from casting offices that their talent wasn’t prepared. Parents need to do their part and study it with their child if they confirm the audition. There are probably other things going on that night – homework, soccer practice – but if acting is a priority, please make sure they know their lines.
I often get asked what I look for in a child that makes me want to represent them. While that is a hard question to answer, and most youth agents will say they “just had a feeling,” there is a deeper explanation of what makes such a lasting impression that we can’t forget them long after the meeting is over.
1. The child has a ton of personality. From the moment I meet them, their gregarious nature shines through. They make eye contact, shake my hand, and have no fear. They often bounce into my office and want to tell stories, and have long, distinct answers to my many interview questions. They smile. They react. And they are not shy at all. The successful ones have such a happy demeanor and are smart, often having unique interests or hobbies. I meet so many children who don’t want to come down to my office at all and hide behind their mother, not wanting to be alone with a stranger.
2. Their look is interesting/unique. The commercial business has moved away from the “P&G” look of the 90’s or even early 2000’s – blonde hair, blue eyes, kid-next-door. Now, casting directors want what they call “real” children: teeth missing (even braces can be acceptable nowadays), long hair on boys, interesting faces, and the like. Kids that show their individuality with dress are terrific, but beware of them looking too “Toddler and Tiara” and model-esque. Acting agents – different from modeling agents – don’t want to see a five-year-old with makeup or tutus. The child should be who they are.
3. Focus. Especially with the little ones, it is the agent’s responsibility to determine if a child would be able to focus in a casting office or on a set for eight hours. If they come in to a first meeting and are bouncing off the walls or not able to sit in the chair or answer questions without fidgeting, I will probably pass on them. It’s important for me to find talent that can pay attention to what is going on in front of them. This is an aspect that a lot of parents overlook when they make an assessment on whether their child is cut out for this business. It is one of, if not the most, important factor in children under the age of 10 getting signed by an agent.
4. They have an excellent cold read in the room. I have a binder of commercial copy that I give to the kids at the end of their meeting. I choose it based on what age I think they’d play in an actual casting, and I give them three minutes before they perform it for me. They never have to memorize it, but this gives me a good idea of their instincts and how they handle material being thrown at them. A lot of commercial auditions now include improv, so sometimes I will ask them to tell me a joke on the spot or perform a scene that I make up for them. Most of the time, children I meet do an okay cold read that is nothing special. But then every so often, a child comes in and makes me laugh, or does something interesting that I had never heard before. Those are the kids that I remember. And they are the ones I want to represent.
First impressions are everything. Whether it’s a first date or an interview for that job you really want, oftentimes preemptive decisions are made within the first few minutes of a meeting.
The same goes for agents. I know pretty much from the start if a potential client who walks through the door is someone who I want to represent. It’s important that parents and children realize that a meeting with us is a very important one – if not the most important – because once you leave our office, that first impression can be the difference between us passing on your child or representing him or her.
There are some things that parents can do to prepare their child for an agent meeting. Remember, most agents meet the child without their Mom or Dad present, just like in an actual casting, and it’s important that they be prepped - not coached!
1. Role play and ask questions. Make it fun for the child. Pretend that you’re the agent (or maybe a neighbor or friend can play this role) and you call them in for a meeting. This gives the child the groundwork for what we might discuss with them in the room. Ask them questions and explain to them that it’s important they don’t give one word answers. Most of time our questions are generic – How many siblings do you have? Where do they go to school? What do they do for fun? – but sometimes we’ll ask more introspective questions about the business or about them as individuals. You won’t know specifics, but a guideline always helps. Coming up with a list of talking points is a good thing – just make sure they sound natural and not memorized.
2. Remind them to smile and show their personality. Make sure your child understands that we thrive on positivity and respond well to clients who are happy and outgoing. I can’t tell you how many times I meet children who didn’t want to be in my office at that moment and never cracked a smile or looked up from the ground. I want the young people I meet to feel comfortable, and it can be intimidating to meet an agent. However, the most successful kids in this business won’t care who they’re chatting with and will show their sunny personality automatically. Others need a little coaching so a gentle reminder is necessary.
3. Dress appropriately. Kids should look like kids. There is no need to bring your child to a meeting in business attire or looking like they’re going to a wedding. (I’ve seen it all.) Let them dress themselves that morning and come to meet me however they most feel comfortable. Please: no cleavage, short shorts or makeup on the little ones. There’s also nothing attractive about coming into a professional environment looking sloppy. Showing up to an agent’s office in sweats makes me think that the child (or parent) might not be taking this seriously.
4. Come prepared. Make sure the child arrives with a headshot and resume, and if they are just starting out, a few digital pictures. I never understand how a parent can bring their child to meet an agent and leave us with no documentation on who we just met. Just like you’d bring your resume to a job interview and kick yourself if you forgot one for the hiring manager, this is your calling card.
5. Follow up. A good rule of thumb from my perspective is that no news is bad news. If we want to represent you, we will call or email you immediately. I can’t speak for my colleagues, but if I absolutely HAVE to have a kid on my list, I will stop at nothing until I do. It’s appropriate for you to send an email to check in, but if you haven’t heard from us within a week, move on to another agent.
One of the most recurring questions I get as a talent agent for children is how to make the seemingly daunting leap from acting as a hobby to acting as a professional. Oftentimes, a parent knows what to do when their child expresses a desire to try something new – sign them up for soccer, ballet, gymnastics. When it comes to a kid wanting to be on television, though, helping them fulfill this dream can be a challenge.
In the entertainment business, getting an agent or manager to represent an actor is key. Agents get the casting “breakdowns”, submit talent to casting directors, and bring forth auditions. In the commercials industry, especially for children, success is based mostly on personality and physical appearance. I am looking for children who are extremely outgoing, fearless, extroverts-- friendly young people who won't hesitate to answer anyone's questions or tell a joke in a casting session. I'm looking for kids who are interesting, quirky, and confident with a great look. Some of the most interesting children we meet aren’t necessarily the ones you’d stop on the street to comment on how beautiful they are – but those who come in and charm us.
These standouts are who we want to represent. The good news: we don’t necessarily sign only young actors with a long resume of credits. We will take a chance on someone who has not done a professional gig yet. If we see something special, we know.
1. If your child shows interest in acting, sign them up for a class. This is the first step to see if they really want to do this, or if the desire will fade once things become more structured. There are many resources online as to which acting classes in NY have a good reputation.
2. Get a copy of Backstage's Call Sheet, which you can find at a local bookstore. This great resource lists all the talent agencies in New York and Los Angeles, along with each department within the company. Target those with a youth department and do research online for an email address. Send a short email to an agent along with a digital picture or two of your child. I can’t speak for other agents, but I read every single one of my emails. You just may get a response.
3. A professional headshot is an actor’s calling card. If your child is 10 or older, he or she needs one. This shows me that the child/parent is serious, and willing to invest in their professional career. Headshots don’t have to cost a fortune, and if a child is on the younger side, good digital pictures are fine. Make sure the photos are clear and UPDATED! Nothing is worse than an agent meeting a child who looks nothing like their picture.
4. Talk to everyone you know. We do meet a lot of kids through referrals, and someone you know might be involved in the business or know someone who is. Just like looking for a job, finding an agent is about networking!
5. If one agency turns you down or you don’t hear back, don’t give up. As agents, our tastes vary. It’s all about persistence.
I would love to have a dime for every time someone says, "Your child is so cute. He/she should be in commercials." Even if nobody says it, we all feel that our kids are so cute that they ought to be in commercials. The big difference between the ones who don’t and the ones who actually end up in commercials is you … the parent (or legal guardian). This is your call because the child may have the desire and talent, but she/he can’t get it done without your help. Now you need to know how you can help.
There are a couple of key things that need to be addressed before you head down this road. There will be a huge demand of your time needed if your child succeeds in this business. Your child will have to sacrifice time also. Most auditions and jobs will take place on a weekday, which means that you may have to skip work and your child may have to miss school. This of course means that you must have a flexible schedule and make up time missed from work. At the same time, your child misses schoolwork which must be made up.
For your child to make it in this business both of you will need to learn how to juggle many tasks at once. One thing that you want to make sure of is that you are not forcing your child to do something that she/he really doesn’t want to do. Ask the child if they want to be in commercials, movies or if they like having their picture taken? Let them answer genuinely as kids most often do. If they don’t like it, don’t force them just because it’s what you want.
If your child states that she/he is interested in "show business", you can move to the next phase. Now that you have a green light from your child on this career, here is what you need to do. Read up on the industry so that you know what is right and what is a rip-off in this business. Your child cannot speak up and it is your job to manage and protect your child, even if the child has an agent or manager. You are responsible for how your child is treated and should always be on the set or send someone that you can trust on the set with your child.
Find a photographer that does good work. You can check the yellow pages for a list of photographers but the best way to find a photographer is to ask someone you know and trust; preferably someone with experience in show business. Be sure to check the photographer’s books (e.g. photos they’ve taken) carefully to see if you like their work. When you find the right photographer, schedule a shoot for your child. Discuss with the photographer ahead of time about wardrobe, hair, make-up etc. Most photographers have a stylist/make-up artist that they work with, if you need one. Once you get pictures that you are happy with, you will need to have them duplicated. There are a number of companies that will reproduce prints at a reasonable price.
While you are waiting on the pictures to come back, begin working on your child’s resume. Don’t forget to list everything that shows they know how to perform. The fashion shows and play at school, or if they sing on the youth choir at church. If they belong to any clubs like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, add that to their resume. This is the resume that you will attach to the back of your child’s pictures to send to potential agents.
Write a quick cover letter of two small paragraphs (4 or 5 sentences) explaining that you have enclosed a resume and headshot for the agent’s files and to please contact you to set up a meeting. You may want to check with different agencies in your area ahead of time to see which ones handle kids because not all agencies do. Put together a package that includes a headshot, resume attached to the back of the headshot (stapled at all four corners) and the cover letter. Hopefully agents will call you in to meet with your child and you will be on your way.
Finally, be sure to have an answering machine and maybe a pager so that the agent can get in touch with you. When the agent calls, set up an audition time and find out how the child should dress and what the job is for. This information is helpful so that you can brief your child by saying things like:
This is going to be lots of fun because they want you to play with toys OK, let’s practice. How would you look if you didn’t feel good?
Show me your funny face.
Show me your sad face.
Show me your angry face
… and so on You take at least 2 headshots with resumes to each audition. You will probably only need one, but have an extra one just in case.
As your child gets work, keep updating the resume to reflect the new experience. As the child gets better and better, begin to move the career forward and maybe you will have a little star on your hands. Good luck to you and your kids.
Working with young people on the set can be the most rewarding / difficult thing. There are lots of factors that determine which experience you will have. First and foremost you need to realize that a child is just that, a child. There are certain needs that a child has and as the adult you should be prepared to try and facilitate those needs, within reason of course.
Remember that children are generally honest and are also very perceptive. If you get upset with them they will know it and you can imagine how this might affect their performance. Try the old litmus test of putting yourself in the child’s shoes. When is it easier for you to work? When the director is understanding of your dropping a line, or when the director is making you feel like a child by openly chastising you for being human? I think we all know the answer to that question.
If you can become rattled on the set because of circumstances beyond your control or because of the way that the crew treats you, just imagine how those same situations could effect the confidence of a youngster. Do everything that you can to accommodate the children on the set, particularly if the child has to interact with you. If you know that even the possibility exists that you might interact with the children, don’t wait until the scene begins to acknowledge them. Try to get introduced to them early on and begin to interact with them slowly as the day goes on.
If it is at all possible, ask that the director or the child’s guardian introduce the child to you. A child takes much better to someone introduced to them by their guardian rather than some stranger who just walks up and acts as if he knows them. Remember that children are perceptive and smart. If you act as if you know them, they will wonder what you are up to. This will make them stiff and not natural when interacting during a scene.
You should not ask questions that you don’t want to hear the answer to because children will generally tell you the honest and sometimes brutal truth. If they tell you something, accept it for what it is and figure how you can use it to make the child feel more comfortable with you. Don’t force your friendship on the child. You are there to work and you don’t need to hang out with the child all day unless the child wants to.
Finally, give the child praise for doing a good job. This helps build the child’s confidence, which will make them want to perform better. If you lend a little help to a child, it will make you feel great at the end of the day. If the child on the set were your child, how would you want the actors to treat your child? Exercising patience can go a long way in life and even farther when applied to children on the set.
We receive a lot of e-mails from parents about how to get their kids into show business. You can find plenty of information by doing a Google search to help you with this topic, but I want to take a slightly different approach with this article. For our purposes in this edition, let’s talk about the fact that these are our children and the simple yet sometimes overlooked fact that kids are people too!
Oftentimes children become actors because someone takes a look at your child and says, "She is so pretty. You should get her in commercials." While this is sweet and very good for a parent’s ego, it may not be the best thing for the child. Let’s say that you agree and begin to pursue the idea. Be honest with yourself. How many people ask their children if they want to be in commercials? Even if you do, do you think the child really understands what is involved? Let’s talk about some of those things.
Does the child or you know that there may situations where the child has to work outside under hot lights in the middle of summer? The child may have to work in studios with hot lights and it can become really hot. The child may have to spend lots of time studying and memorizing lines while the other kids are out playing. If the child becomes a big money maker, you might become over protective because the child will be more than just your child, but your source of income.
Be sure that you don’t enter or continue in this business because you are trying to live up to other people’s expectations. Once you get your child started in the business, constantly monitor how the child responds to auditions and actual jobs. Is she/he still interested or do they cry before going. Do they ask if they can just stay home or go out and play? Listen to your child and do what is best for the child.
This also means that if your child loves the business and can’t wait to get in front of that camera, nurture their career and try to find a happy medium between being a working actor and a child that needs to have friends and play from time to time. If your child grows up to be a huge star and enjoys a great career…wonderful! If your child grows up to have lots of fame and fortune, but suffers from emotional problems and feels robbed of a childhood, who will be to blame? These are things that you need to consider. This can be a great move for you and your child, just pay attention to the child and don’t become side-tracked by the money and stardom of the business.
Your child will need two legal documents in order to work in the industry: a work permit from the state where he resides and a Social Security Card. Obtaining a work permit may vary from state to state. Please check with the Department of Social Services in your area. If you have a talent agency, they should also be able to help you with this.
Obtaining a work permit for your child is easy. In California you can get one at no cost from the "Entertainment Work Permit Department" found at the Department of Social Services in you area. Work permits are good for a six-month period and must be renewed every six moths thereafter. Some parents make the mistake of waiting until the child booked a job before obtaining a work permit. Don't be caught unprepared! It is entirely possible to find your child has booked a job late Wednesday night and is expected to report to the set early Thursday morning. Without an original copy of a work permit from your state, your child will not be allowed to work. You won't fool the production people of the social worker/studio teacher by saying you lost if or left it at home.
For child actors, this is a hard and fast rule: without a work permit, your child will not be allowed to work!
Work permits are required by the child's home state and must be signed off by a social worker/studio teacher who is hired by the state to take care of your child's school and labor needs on the job. If your child is shooting out of town or in another state, the social worker/studio teacher from his home state may want to accompany him to the state in which the project is being filmed.
Your child works under the laws of his home state, no matter where in the United States (or outside the United States) he is filming. For instance: if a child actor resides in California but is filming a project in Utah, the child and perhaps a California social worker/studio teacher will go to Utah to make the movie, but both will work under the laws of the State of California. The child's parent or guardian must go as well, of course. The state makes no exceptions to the this rule. Labor laws have been designed by each state to protect both child and parent.
The first time you apply for a work permit, if your child is school age, you will need to present a copy of his birth certificate as well as the name and address of the school he currently attends. If school is in session, it must acknowledge that your child's grades and conduct are in good standing. If school is not in session, you must present a copy of your child's last report card with your application. If your child is under five years of age, you will only need to present a copy of his birth certificate to obtain a work permit.
After the initial permit is processed, the Department of Social Services will send your renewal forms by mail (two weeks before the current permit's expiration). Questions can be directed to the Department of Social Services. You will retain an original copy to be presented to the social worker/studio teacher when your child works; if you leave the original at home, you will have to return home to get it. Another original is kept by the Department of Social Services.
The purpose of the Social Security Card is to allow payment to be made to your child when he is working. It is state-regulated; payment to a minor cannot legally be made until the number is secured and given to the company that hired your child. It should be easy to obtain a Social Security Card because most children acquire Social Security numbers for their parents' income tax deduction purposes.
A card can be obtained from the Department of Social Security either by mail or by visiting a local office. Call 800-772-1213 to have an application sent to you through the mail. You can also visit their Web site. The forms are available on-line. Two forms of identification are required, a birth certificate and any other form of identification with the information of your child's birth printed on it. If you want to visit the office in person, call the Social Security office to make sure the office still does business at the listed location; offices close on a regular basis and you may have to travel a long distance to find one that is open.
"Coogan" accounts are trust accounts required by the states of California and New York as a condition of issuance of work permits for minors who wish to work in the entertainment business. They are named for Jackie Coogan, who was a child star of the 20th century whose earnings were squandered.
As I understand it, 15% of any minor's income "from the business" must be set aside in one of these accounts via direct payment from the employer. A parent or guardian will be the trustee of such an account, but withdrawals are not permitted (except transfers to another Coogan account). The trustee must turn the funds over to the kid at age 18, and the kid cannot touch the money until then.
If you're the parent of a child or teen actor who has begun working on projects in the industry without the guidance of a talent agent or manager, it's critical that you familiarize yourself with the child labor laws and regulations in your state. Not only is it important because it's the law, but these regulations are put in place for the benefit of the child or teen and are great guidelines to follow.
States can regulate many aspects of a production when it comes to kids and teens working in the entertainment industry. Before your child walks on set, make sure you find out the answers to the following questions:
What's the maximum number of hours my child can work on set?
Are the hours different for school and non-school days?
How much light can/will my infant be exposed to?
Is my child required to have a work permit?
Is a studio teacher required to be on set?
How much time does my child get for rest and recreation?
Are there any exceptions?
There are always gray areas, loopholes and exceptions. For example, many regulations are determined based on the age of the actor. However while a seventeen year old student in California may only be allowed to work between certain hours, a seventeen year old who has graduated from high school is not subject to child labor laws and can work as an adult. Whether your child has a manager or not, you are your child's primary advocate. A production set can be a harried, hectic environment and if a director is running behind schedule he may not want your child to get their mandated break time. It's up to you to put your foot down to make sure that your child has a healthy, balanced and enjoyable experience in the industry.
Here you can read about filling tax returns for child actors and child models.
You should be familiar with the following types of documents.
Work Permit - in California, a current and valid entertainment work permit must be presented to the studio teacher upon arrival. Check your local state laws to find out the requirements in your state. If you use CIF's permit service, you'll receive your permit in an easy to use folder that will allow you to carry your additional paperwork as well.
Coogan Account Info - In California, make sure to have a statement of trustee for proof of a minor blocked trust account. Check your state laws to see if a blocked trust account is required in your state as it is in many other states outside of California such as Kansas, New Mexico, Tennessee and New York.
W-2 Form - this form is related to your child's taxes and you'll receive one whenever you work as an employee for a production. You will be asked for an SSN and how many deductions you want to claim. You will use your child's social security number. "If your child does not have one, the parent should contact the local office of the Social Security Administration to obtain one," suggests David K. Rogers of Actors Tax Prep. "They will need a certified copy of the child's birth certificate to obtain the number and you will fill out Form SS-5."
W-9 - you'll be asked to fill out a W-9 when working as an independent contractor. In this situation, no taxes are withheld, but a SSN is required for your 1099. This is most common when working in print modeling. Make sure you realize that taxes will be owed come tax time.
I-9 - An I-9 document proves that you have the legal right to work in the US. The I-9 form requires you to attach supporting documents such as a passport or birth certificate, social security card, etc.
Time Card (Voucher) - Production will give you a time card to complete. There are two kinds - union and non union. If you have representation, your rep will ask you to use their info in lieu of your own when completing this form. This is to ensure that your pay check goes to their office for documentation and payment processing. This is standard, so you don't need to be alarmed that your paychecks go to them first.
Contracts and Deal Memos - Contracts and Deal Memos are written agreements pertaining to your employment stating what you have been hired to do. "Deal Memo" is a term that independent producers use for employment contracts. The word "contract" generally implies that the document is legally binding, so the term memo is sometimes used to imply a less formal agreement. Regardless of the title, it is important that you read whatever you sign and that you discuss the information with your agent and/or manager.
Releases - A release is usually a brief document, different from a deal memo, that becomes the license that is attached to the images as they go from the day of production to the finished product. A producer must provide a release in order to sell an image, and the parents of young performers will likely be asked to sign these releases. "A typical release will begin with acknowledgment of the fee," explained Agent Carol Lynn Sher of CESD, "and that in return for paying the fee the talent grants rights and permission to copyright and publish the work." Carol Lynn went on to note that releases hold the producer harmless for manipulations, distortions, blurring or editing of the images and that it will sometimes include confidentiality requests or exclusivity requests.
Parents of newcomers often put too much pressure on themselves and their children on the first few auditions. If you can avoid the pressure whole lapping up the excitement, you will be better off from the start, because there is no reward for pressure except for unnecessary stress on your child.
Remember, the first call is only a first look. It simply means that the casting director has seen your child's picture and now, he would like to see for himself if your child has that "certain something" when they meet him in person.
There shouldn't be any pressure put on your child - no matter how important you may feel the audition is. You will never inspire in your child a positive attitude about acting if, every time he feels apprehensive, your disappointment in him is overwhelming. While your child may be exactly what the casting company is looking for (in your mind, anyway), so might fifty other kids! If your child has done his best on the audition, that is all you should expect from him. However, if he is having a rotten day and doesn't feel like performing, there shouldn't be hell to pay from you.
Don't make your child perfect; this isn't a modeling call or a beauty pageant. This is reality and casting directory want real children. Child actors must be relaxed at all times in order to perform their best work. Whether our child is "on" or "off," your job is to keep him cool. The climate should always be cool, calm, and collected. Your child is there to show off and shine.
Children are like little sponges. If yours thinks you're freaked our by all this, how do you expect him to respond? Your child should feel that this new venture fits into his life, not replaces it. A little dirt on his face, messed up hair, or a wrinkle on his shirt, can actually be a plus in keeping him relaxed enough to book a job. No, parents, we don't suggest you take your child on calls like he just rolled in dirt. What we are trying to suggest is that you allow your child to be himself whenever possible.
Another important consideration, especially for infants, is your child's ability to separate easily from you. Will your infant go to a stranger without screaming when you hand him over? Casting directors won't give him a few days or even a few minutes to bond with the actor(s) playing his parent(s) during the audition. It's now or never when infants and the audition process are concerned. You will be in the room with your infant, but you will not be in front of the camera with him.
Do you think your child is cut out for acting? You child's behavior and personality should give you an idea of his potential acting ability. Most parents can recognize, just by looking at their children, whether or not they possess the qualities and disposition necessary for the industry. If you think your child might be a good actor, but you aren't sure if he has the requirements, here is a list of questions that will help you sort it out.
Is your child (A) outgoing and animated; or (B) quiet and shy?
Does he (A) say hello to someone when he's introduced; or (B) become distracted by things in his environment and not realize that someone is speaking to him?
Does he (A) love to sing and dance for you; or (B) think stuff like singing and dancing is stupid?
Does he (A) imitate what he sees on TV; or (B)forget what he watching five minutes ago?
Does he (A) respond when he's asked his name or age by someone he doesn't know; or ( shrug his shoulders as if he no longer remembers what language he speaks?
If you answered "A" to these questions, that's terrific! Most would-be industry children are little hams by nature, willing to show off at every opportunity. Your child's ability to meet new people easily and to show off for them will be one of the most important factors in his career. We have to remember, nonetheless, that as responsible parents, we raise our children not to talk to strangers and the world of show business is contrary to this upbringing by 180 degrees.
We therefore advise you to have continuing discussions with your child in this topic, especially after his career is launched. Make sure he knows the difference between meeting an unfamiliar casting person or working with a cast and crew of strangers, and speaking to strangers outside of these industry- type situations. The rules you teach him about talking to or going with strangers should remain the same as if he were not in the industry. You may even discover he likes the idea.
Before you begin launching your child into the spotlight, we recommend sitting down and discussing with him your thoughts about his possible acting career. Be specific when you talk to your child; be sure he understands exactly what is required of him.
A child actor's career should be something you and your child decide to do together. This endeavor requires both parent and child to be voluntary participants. After all, we're talking about his life too! His feelings on the subject must be considered. If you approach the topic positively, your child will likely respond positively. You may even discover he likes the idea!
Here are a couple of suggestions for testing the water. Before to making your decision (and long after you've committed to it, too), watch programs that focus on children your child's age. You'll find lots of child actors in television commercials too; in fact, in the beginning, your child will go out on more interviews for commercials than for any other medium. (TV series, feature films and movies of the week usually come after your child has done a few commercials.)
When watching children, make comments to your child. For example, while viewing a pudding commercial featuring a five year-old boy, you might say, "Wasn't he cute? I'll bet you could do that." If your child offers an affirmative response, ask him to say a couple of lines about chocolate pudding; the lines do not have to be the same as those in the commercial. Let him make up something on his own. He may surprise you. If he can easily mimic what he hears, he's ready.
If your child willingly performs for your upon request, he'll willingly do it for others, like casting directors, producers, and directors. Of course, there's a big difference between performing for you and performing for someone outside the family.
Once your child is going out on calls, keep in mind that he's just a kid. There will be days when he is "on" and days when, no matter what you promise him, he just won't do anything for anybody. Will the casting people understand? Of course they will.
There will be other calls, other projects, and there's no need to burn bridges with casting directors over an attitude caused by a missed nap. Keep in mind, however, there are dozens more kids just like yours lining up right outside the door, ready and willing to stand up and be counted. All the casting people have to do with a child who won't perform is say, "Next."
Infants, toddlers, and young children change in appearance much too quickly and the legitimate agencies understand that. Under the age of 4 - these agencies will only require a few snapshots of your child.
Take a close-up shot of your child. (Head and shoulders - Don't get so close that the image is blurry)
Take a full length shot of your child
Take one character shot of your child - something that shows the child's personality - feel free to use props with this shot.
Find a place that is bright and evenly lit - DON'T use a flash
Don't send 50 photos to the agencies - just 2 or 3.
If an agency accepts your child - be prepared to update these images every 6 months or so.
Children aged 4 through age 13 will generally only need headshots. These images should be professionally done. Even at these ages, you will need to update these images every year to a year and a half at the most since children will change dramatically from year-to-year.
A composite is only helpful if a child has very different and distinctive looks and should not be considered until an agency has proven themselves to you by getting your child work.
When you first show up to an audition or casting call, you would normally bring 2 or 3 pictures. However, if you get past that stage, they will probably want to see your child's portfolio. Also, if you go to a go-see for a modeling agency, you should bring a modeling portfolio. You should use a photo album, and fill it up with pictures. If your child has already done paid modeling work, those pictures should go at the beginning of the portfolio in order from most to least recent. It's especially important for girls to have a modeling portfolio. In order for your daughter to be a professional, she needs to have a portfolio that you can show to photographers, advertising agencies, and casting directors interested in hiring her. You can hire a professional photographer. It's good to have a wide variety of pictures. You should take professional looking pictures for her portfolio, including the following.
Full length shot
Smiling head shot
Maybe a few more playful shots
photos should be clear
In focus
No other children in photos
headshot - like a school picture
different facial expressions - surprised, happy, sad, pouty, mischevous, etc.
action - such as jumping in the air, dancing, gymnastics, cartwheels, etc.
casual - such as, tanktop, pants, skirt, overalls, shortalls, etc.
formal - formal dress like a flower girl at a wedding
swimwear - bikini and one-piece suit
sleepwear - pajamas or nightgown
underwear - panties, both with and without a crop top
nude - cute pictures that make you go "awww!" Think of the Coppertone ad.
Also, try to have pictures with different hairstyles, such ponytial, pigtails, or braids.
Of course, you do not need to have underwear pictures or nude pictures. If you are a model, or the parent of a child model, you should never do anything that you do not feel comfortable doing. You don't have to have nude or underwear but there's no reason not to do it. Your daughter will be more likely to get modeling or acting work if you include cute nude pictures in her portfolio that are appropriate for her age. You should trust the people who work at the agency to be professionals, the same way you do if you take your child to the doctor who sees your child undressed. These are adorable images capturing fleeting childhood innocence. Ivory Soap did an advertising campaign called "Ivory Baby" in which the kids posed nude. When you do nude pictures, it's important that you don't show any "private parts" in the picture. Try doing a side view or back view. Brooke Shields modelled nude when she was 10 years old. Lindsay Lohan did a nude scene in the Disney movie "Parent Trap" when she was 12 years old. You should also write a resume with the following information.
Childs age / date of birth
height
up to date sizes
shoe size
if there are any missing teeth
if the child can read
Here is a list of information you should include
Age range:
Hair color:
Complexion:
Hairstyle/Length:
Eyes:
Weight:
Height:
Dress Size:
Suit Size:
Chest/Bust:
Waist:
Hips:
Shoe Size:
Inseam:
Neck:
Citizenship:
Languages:
Here you can see a sample child's resume.
Here's an exercise I recommend for the parents who are trying to get their daughters into modeling.
First have the girls look through catalogs and fashion magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, or Vanity Fair, and pay attention to how the models pose. Then for each of the girls, put together several outfits that capture a certain look, such as commercial modeling, high fashion, haute couture, athletic or sports, Gothic, cheerleader, Western cowgirl, swimwear bikini, etc., Then after that, have the girls model each set of clothes, and try to capture the basic look or feeling. There are different poses you would do when modeling different types of clothes. They would try to learn the different types of poses or facial expressions you would do when modeling different types of clothes. Try different poses like putting their hands on their hips, looking over the shoulder, etc. They should do pictures standing up, sitting down, kneeling, lying down, etc. They should be facing a full length mirror, so they can see themselves. You should have music playing in the background, like dance music or rock music. Then afterwards, critique their modeling, and give them advice. There are photoshoots where they pose the models, and they want models that follow directions. There are also photoshoots where they want models that can improvise, and be able to give great poses with little direction. You can try giving them directions so they can learn to follow directions. You can try having them improvise so they can get used to modeling without direction. So hopefully, your girls can sort of internalize modeling, and the different poses become second nature. Hopefully, the kids will have fun doing it also.
If you look at the history of modeling, for the past hundred years, models have been modeling for advertising, but for 3000 years before that, they modeled only for artists, and half the time, they were modeling for artistic nudes, so there is a huge tradition of models modeling nude. This is especially true for children. If you look at Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, they had nudes of children. In medieval churches, they have paintings of nude children on the wall. In Renaissance paintings, they had nude children called "putti" used as background decoration. In the 19th Century, famous painters such as Adolph William Bougereau and John Waterhouse did child nudes. Many 20th Century photographers did nude child photography, such as Sally Mann, Jock Sturges, Edward Weston, Richard West, Ron Oliver, Charles duBois Hodges, Anne Geddes, Suza Scalora, etc. Lewis Carroll, who wrote "Alice in Wonderland" did nude child photography. Edward Muybridge, who invented the motion picture, did nude child photography. Brooke Shields modeled nude when she was 10 years old. Lindsey Lohan did a nude scene in the Disney movie "Parent Trap" when she was 12 years old.
When you are trying to get your child into modeling, it certainly helps to include nude pictures in their portfolio because a lot of the modeling assignments for kids require nudity. When they have commercials on TV for children's shampoo, those kids are nude when they shoot the commercial. One of my models was hired by Ivory Soap for the Ivory Baby ad campaign, and of course she was nude when they did the photoshoot. There's a lot of advertising where the kids have to be nude. Coppertone has an ad where a dog pulls down the bottom of a little girl's swimsuit, so then the little girl is nude in the ad. "Singer" sewing machines did an ad where a little girl in the nude at a sewing machine, and the caption says "For the woman who has nothing to wear". There's also a lot of movies and tv shows where the kids have to do nude scenes. There's movies such as Tom Sawyer, Oliver Twist, etc. where the kids have to do nude scenes. One of my models was hired for the starring role in a movie, and she did a nude scene when she was 10 years old. They want to make sure the kids are totally comfortable being nude, and not shy or embarrassed at all.
Another reason is because when you are trying to get modeling and acting work for your daughter, you want her to be as cute as possible in the pictures, and nothing makes your daughter as super super cute as possible as having her nude. The nude pictures are supposed to be all smiles and dimples, and would make anyone go "awww!" Another reason they want nude pictures is just to make sure that the girls don't have scars, bruises, blemishes, tattooes, piercing, etc. They want to know what freckles they have, that sort of thing.
Ever wonder what kind of an impression your child's headshots are making on casting directors? Your child's headshot is their passport to the role of their dreams. So if their headshots are not a good reflection of them and their personality, or the quality of their headshots is poor, it may take them longer to get to attain the level of success you’d hoped for. Whether their photos are outdated, or simply not the best reflection of their personality, new headshots are often just what an aspiring entertainer needs in order to land the auditions and the roles they have their hearts set on.
Does your child's photo look natural? Does your child's photo reflect the way they look now and not five years ago? Is your child's photo a clear shot of them, without distracting objects in the background? Are they looking directly at the camera? Does their photo convey the right image for them? Are the clothes they are wearing in the photo contemporary? Did you use a professional photographer? Does your photo conform to industry standards? If you’ve answered no to any of these questions, then you may want to consider taking new photos. Ask friends in the industry to help you select a professional photographer. It’s also critical that your hair, makeup and attire help you portray an image that will grab the attention of casting directors the moment they set their eyes on your photo. Once you’ve taken your photos, don’t rush to the printer. Make sure you have several people look at your proof sheet and offer their opinion on which photos are the strongest. Once there’s a consensus, you’ll be in a much better position to decide which photos would help you get the best results. A headshot that accurately portrays your personality and lets your charisma shine through is the first step towards success in the entertainment industry. Succeeding in the entertainment industry often hinges on the ability to win people over. You have to sell your child as a performer who is not only talented, but who's responsible, professional and courteous to others. Want to get cast? Then dedicate as much energy to winning over the casting director that you dedicate to your craft.
So, how do you go about winning over the casting director? Here are a few easy tips that are guaranteed to help you make a positive, lasting impression on the casting director, and help your child standout as a talent they'll want to work with and endorse.
Submit professional photos that both look like your child and reflect their personality. Bring extra copies of your child's headshot and resume to your audition in the event yours have been misplaced. Consistently show up for your child's auditions on time. Be polite and professional to everyone in the casting office. Dress professionally. Make sure your child is well prepared for the audition. Be receptive to the casting director and take direction as it's given. If possible, see if you can stand behind the casting director during the audition so if your child is looking at you, it appears that they are looking at the casting director. However, that's not always possible. They might have you stand off to side, or they might not even let the parents be present. Thank the casting director for his or her time before you leave your child's audition. And as a little something extra, send a thank you note to the casting director letting them know how much you appreciate them for the opportunity. You can even have note cards or postcards created with your child's photo on them.
The goal is to standout from all of the other actors, singers, dancers and models that the casting directors will meet with. Even if you don't get the job, I guarantee that you will leave a lasting, positive impression and the casting director will remember you when other opportunities arise.
The auditioning process isn't easy, and dealing with rejection can be tough for children. If we're faced with rejection, it is human nature to react. Sometimes we blame others or make excuses. But we can stop being the victim and learn that dealing with rejection is about loving ourselves even when others do not. We can take what would normally be negative reactions and turn them into pro-actions that will help us move forward!
Great things can come out of this experience! Celebrate the fact that you made it this far! You had an audition and that's something to be proud of. Next, learn from your mistakes and look at them as an opportunity for self improvement. After an audition, parents can ask their children positive questions first such as “How do you feel you did?” and “What do you feel you did right?” Then they can follow it up with, “Where do you think you could have done better?” What is the lesson in the whole experience: Were you late for the audition? Did you do the appropriate amount of studying of the sides? Praise is also important, so congratulating them on a job well done – that is, the fact that they put themselves out there in the first place, will help to open positive communication so you can work together on improvement.
Remind your child that if her audition is rejected, it may have nothing to do with her specifically. "We were not rejected. We just weren't the right choice in the eyes of the decision making team," explains Carl Sprayberry in his blog, "Diary of a Showbiz Parent." Casting directors are taking many factors into consideration when choosing a child and many of those factors aren't known up front. That's why it is important to perform well, but also to be a likeable and agreeable family. That means you, the parent, too! So if your child doesn't get a role, be realistic about their abilities, but remind them that casting may have simply been looking for something different. Then take the opportunity to celebrate his or her own unique qualities.
Plan for rejection before it happens. What will you and your family use as a confirmation to know that you are doing well? At first, “doing well” may simply mean going on auditions and doing your best. Then, after a predetermined amount of time, “doing well” may be a ratio of auditions to bookings. If you go on 20 auditions and get one booking, is that enough confirmation to continue? Decide together as a family and you won’t feel as discouraged when things get tough.
Keep doing what you love. Keep doing the things that give you and your child fulfillment. If acting is what fulfills your child, remind yourselves why you are a showbiz family in the first place: is it truly for the love of the craft? If so, taking acting classes and participating in school plays can help to fulfill this passion while you continue to pursue your goals.
Throughout the history of Western Art, one of the primary subjects of art has been nudes, including nudes of children. Go to the Louvre, Getty Museum, or any art museum, or pick up any book on art history, and you will see nudes of children. Here are a few famous paintings of ... gasp!... nude children!
"Madonna and Child" by Giovanni Bellini (1480)
"Madonna of the Meadows" by Rapheal (1505)
"Madonna of the Harpies" by Andrea del Sarto (1517)
"Pucci Alterpeice" by Jocopo Pontormo (1518)
"Danae" by Correggio (1531)
"The Sleep of Antiope" by Correggio
"The Vision of St. Jerome" by Pamigiano (1527)
"Madonna dal Collo Lungo" by Pamigiano (1535)
"Venus and the Lute Player" by Titian (1560)
"Mars and Venus" by Veronese (1575)
"Madonna With Swallow" by Annibale Carracci
"Madonna Enthroned With Saint Matthew" by Annibale Carracci
"Auroa", ceiling fresco by Guido Reni (1614)
"The Immaculate Conception" by Bartolome Murillo (1660)
"Cupid a Captive" by Francois Boucher (1754)
"Cupid With Grapes" by Francois Boucher
"The Little Bather" by Thomas Couture
"Nude Little Girl" by Thomas Couture
"Chloe" by Jules-Joseph Lefeovre (1875)
"Cupidon" by Adolph William Bougureau (1875)
"The Motherland" by Adolph William Bougureau (1883)
"The Bathers" by Henry Scott Tuke (1885)
"Love on the Look Out" by Adolph William Bougureau (1890)
"The Bath" by Mary Cassatt (1892)
"The Hearts Awakening" by Adolph William Bougureau (1892)
"Angst and Puberty" by Edvard Munch (1895)
"The Awakening of Adonis" by Adolph William Bougureau (1899)
"The Children of Lir" by John Duncan (1914)
"Swimming Hole" by Norman Rockwell (1920)
"No Swimming" by Norman Rockwell (1922)
"Inner Shore (Motherland)" by Jean Maclane (1929)
"Dali at the Age of Six When He Thought He Was a Girl" by Salvador Dali (1950)
At the Hermitage or Winter Palace in St. Petersberg, one of the theaters has a large painting of several nude little girls behind the stage.
Nude children have always been one of the primary subjects of photography. Many famous 20th Century photographers have done nude child photography including the following.
Sally Mann
Jock Sturgis
David Hamilton
Jacques Bourboulon
Garo Aida
Bell Henson
Gary Gross
Edward Weston
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Richard West
Ron Oliver
Graham Ovenden
Anne Geddess
Suza Scalora
Frank Cordelle
Edwaerd Muybridge
They sell books of their work at Dalton's bookstore.
Ansel Adams owned an art gallery with Edward Weston who did nude child photography. Edwaerd Muybride who invented the motion picture did nude child photography. Lewis Carroll who wrote "Alice in Wonderland" did nude child photography. Brooke Shields modelled nude for photographer Gary Gross when she was 10 years old. Later, when she was 12 years old, she appeared with full frontal nudity in the movie "Pretty Baby". Lindsay Lohan did a nude scene when she was 11 years old in the Disney movie "Parent Trap". The whole point of nude child photography is to capture fleeting childhood innocence. These are adorable images. Think of the Coppertone ad. There was a musical version of "Oliver Twist" that showed Oliver in the nude. Singer sewing machine did a print ad showing a little girl in the nude, and the caption read "For the woman who has nothing to wear". Ivory Soap used nude children in their Ivory Baby ad campaign. The JCPenney catalog showed a little girl in the nude to sell bathtub toys. The June 2010 issue of "Parents" magazine showed a little boy in the nude. The November 2010 issue of "Vogue" showed a little girl in the nude. The July 2011 cover of "Art Monthly Australia" had a nude picture of Olympia Nelson, 6 years old, taken by her mother, photographer Polixeni Papapetrou. "Miranda" is a stage play that shows a 10 year old girl with full frontal nudity. Natalie Wood did a nude scene when she was 14 years old. Shirley Temple appeared topless dancing the hula. Photographer Frank Cordelle showed a 14 year old girl named Jesse with full frontal nudity. Frank Cordelle took pictures of a 14 year old girl named Jesse, and a 7 year old girl named Nora, in the nude. The Learning Channel had a series called "Body Story" that showed children of all ages, both boys and girls, with full frontal nudity. Miley Cyrus appeared topless on the cover of "Vanity Fair" when she was 15 years old.
The "Think Geek" catalog in Christmas 2009 showed a little girl in the nude. Look at the catalog for Design Tosacano or their website http://DesignToscano.com and you will see nudes of children. The stock photography website http://GettyOne.com has tons of pictures of nude children. National Geographic shows pictures of children showing full frontal nudity.
In the world of art, photography, modeling, and fashion, nudity is common and acceptable for both adults and children. Professional child models model nude for artistic photography and commercial advertising. Professional child actors and actresses do nude scenes in movies and television. It's totally innocent and appropriate for their age. The parents are always present to chaperon. The parents are totally comfortable with it. The kids are not shy about doing it. In that world, it's considered entirely acceptable.