Alexa Vega, Miley Cyrus, Raven Simon, Emma Watson, Dakota Fanning, Abigail Breslin.... If you are thinking, "Hey, my kid's just as cute/talented as those girls!" this article is for you!
Instructions
Become a Child Actress
1. Submit yourself to agencies. Just about anyone can get an agent. There is no shortage of sharks out there looking to prey on the starry-eyed adolescent and their parent (and trying to sell them some overpriced photo package or series of classes). Getting a GREAT agent, however, is another story!
First you'll want to check out this book: "The Model and Talent Directory," published by Peter Glen Publications. You can order it on line at www.pgdirect.com, or check it out of most well-stocked libraries. Most actual agents and casting directors in the business use this as their go-to guide for finding licensed talent agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Find your state/country, and make note of all of the agencies within a reasonable driving distance (3 to 4 hours is about the maximum tolerable distance). Check out their Web sites, and make sure they represent your (child's) age group, and also that they represent ACTORS AND MODELS. It's best to get an agency that does both, because even if you do not plan on pursuing modeling, you also don't want to close any doors.
Depending on where you live, your list of possible agencies may be very, very big or very, very small.
Try and see a few different agents if possible to get a feel for what the best fit will be for you.
There might be specific instructions for "new faces" submissions on the Web sites of your selected agencies. If so, follow those instructions. If not, you should call the agency and ask to speak with the person in charge of "new faces" or "new talent." Depending on the size of the agency, this might be anyone at the company or a specific division. You will then ask what the requirements are for submitting your child for consideration. Some agencies host open calls where they see all new and interested people in one day, some will schedule you for a personal interview and some will require you to submit pictures and information first.
When submitting yourself electronically, you will most likely be asked to provide pictures. It is also a great idea to bring pictures with you when going to an appointment or open call, whether or not the agency requires it.
Since you are applying as a beginner, there is no need for these to be professional (that will come later), but they must be clear, free of extraneous props/background and be
resized for viewing. Here are some tips to taking great pictures for your initial submission to agencies:
1. Shoot outdoors at dawn or dusk. The light at this time is most flattering, and you won't have squint eyes.
2. Shoot against a neutral or white background.
3. Wear plain clothes that aren't distracting (no loud patterns, logos or crazy colors).
4. Take plenty of shots, but only submit/bring the best 3 to 6.
5. Be sure to include a close-up of the face, a full body shot and a smiling shot.
6. No pets/siblings/toys or other props should be included in these pictures
7. Do not wear makeup, jewelry or have the hair heavily styled for these pictures--relaxed and natural is best.
Since most good agencies are literally inundated with submissions, please wait about a week before making a follow-up phone call to an online submission.
2. Get the best agent for you. The next likely step is for you to be invited in for an interview or to attend an open call.
Make sure you have a clear appointment time (or window of time) and know who you will be meeting with. As with any job interview, make sure you and your child are on time, prepared and dressed appropriately.
Things you will want to bring with you:
> 3 to 6 pictures (as discussed above) in 4x6 or 5x7 size
> A ONE-PAGE typed resume listing all/any of the following: previous modeling/acting experience, nonprofessional experience (school or church plays), any classes or workshops (including school drama classes) and special skills (second languages, cheer-leading, gymnastics, soccer, etc.)
> A SHORT list of any questions you may have (read on for a list of good questions to ask)
Wardrobe:
A flattering, well-fitting casual dress that is AGE APPROPRIATE is a great option. Other great outfits might include a polo-style shirt and capri pants with a cute belt; khaki or corduroy pants and a button-down top and cardigan; or a skirt and top combination. Very little or no jewelry should be worn, no makeup or overly styled hair.
While the parent will be actively involved in the process, the child is really the one interviewing and should be included in the conversation as much as possible (age permitting) so the agent can get an idea of her personality. Children should be instructed beforehand to act professionally, exhibiting manners and good behavior. A child who cannot behave appropriately through an interview will very rarely have any shot making it any further than this initial stage.
Leaving an interview, you will want to feel that the agent took a specific liking to your child, you will want to feel comfortable and happy, not pressured, and you will have a clear idea of what is expected of you.
(TIP: It's a very nice and much appreciated gesture to follow up an interview with a small note of thanks. Something handwritten is best, but a quick e-mail is also effective.)
3. Here is a list of things you will want to know during the interview. A good agent will go over all of these without your having to ask, but if anything is not properly addressed, you should be prepared with questions.
Please keep in mind that a good agent is a BUSY agent! You should familiarize yourself with the business as much as possible before going on this interview to avoid wasting the agent's time with tiresome questions. The Web site http://www.actingmodeling.com/terms.htm is a great resource.
Are you a licensed agency?
Ideally you will NEVER interview with an unlicensed agency, but if you are unsure this should be your first question. The license should be prominently displayed, and if they beat around the bush regarding this question or say they are not licensed HIGHTAIL IT OUT OF THERE!!!
How long has this agency been in business?
You'll want to be involved with an agency that has long-standing ties in the industry, has a good client base and knows what they are doing. Most beginner agencies do not last through the first couple of months. Ideally the agency will be 5 years or older.
Are you an exclusive or nonexclusive agency?
A nonexclusive agency means that you can be represented by more than one agency at a time and an exclusive agency means that you cannot be listed with another agency. There are pros and cons to each type of agency. Exclusive normally works harder for their talent, but requires you to sign a contract you might get stuck in, and nonexclusive gives you the ability to multilist with other agencies, but may not take your career as seriously.
How many children do you represent in my child's age group?
Again, there are pros and cons to this. A child may get "lost" in an agency that has dozens and dozens of other children she will be directly competing with. However, if there are little or no other children represented at the agency, it may be because they do not actively seek or get work for her age group.
What are some clients you have worked with in the past six months?
Depending on where you live, this might range from huge international clients to smaller local ones, but they should be able to easily provide a verbal list of clients they have recently worked with.
What type of work/clients do you think my daughter would be right for?
You want them to be fairly specific but also realistic here. If it seems like they might be saying what you want to hear, it is very possible that this is in fact what is happening.
What is the percentage that you take?
Industry standard is 20%, and every legitimate agency takes a fee in this range. This is a great way to keep agents involved and interested in getting you jobs. They should ONLY be making money when YOU are making money. If it is much higher or lower than 20%, be skeptical.
Are there any fees involved?
If there is a sign-up fee, a registration fee or any up-front fee of any kind, you are not with a legitimate agency, regardless of anything else they have said to you. It is illegal in most states for companies to pose as "agencies" and then take upfront fees from you. That being said, there ARE some legitimate expenses involved, outlined in the next step.
Will you collect monies on my behalf from the clients?
An agency should be doing all the negotiating, billing and collecting of money from a client on your behalf.
Will I be required to send out my own card/resume to get work, or does the agency find me jobs?
The reason you are going to them is so THEY will be finding you work, but if this is unclear, then you will want to specifically ask.
What percentage of your models/talent are working, and how often does most talent work? How often should I expect to get called for jobs/castings?
This will vary greatly depending on the area in which you live and on each individual talent, but the agent should clearly and confidently give you a good idea of what to expect.
Will I be required to sign anything?
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING ON THE SPOT. Some people become so overwhelmed with gratitude that they have been offered an agency and at the prospect of getting work that they eagerly sign with the first agent they see. Take the contract home, read over it thoroughly, ask any questions before signing and try to see at least two to three different agencies before committing anything with one.
Where do we go from here?
Some agencies will let you know on the spot whether or not they would like to represent you, and some time you will have to wait for an answer.
4. Here are some expenses you will incur as an actress/ model:
> Cost of pictures/professional photography
Most agents will require you to have pictures of professional quality in order to market you to clients. Some agencies will cover the cost of this for you and recoup their investment when you begin working. It is almost never done for small children and almost exclusively offered to high-fashion models in large markets. Because of the fickle nature of children and pre-teens, an agency will almost never put an investment upfront for them.
However, it is illegal in some states to REQUIRE you to shoot ONLY with their personal photographers. Most agencies have a list of certain photographers they recommend, and a good agent will point you (but not PUSH you) in the right direction. For a child under age 16, your approximate cost for pictures should be in the $50 to $500 range, depending on where you live.
> Cost of printing comp cards/headshots
These actual printing costs are sometimes written into the cost of the photo shoot, but not always. You should begin with approximately 100 composite cards or headshots and should expect to pay approx $1 to $2 per print.
> Web site fees
In this electronic age, any agency you are interested in should have a well designed, easy-to-navigate Web page. While many agencies chalk up Web site maintenance as the cost of doing business, some will charge a nominal fee for you to be listed.
If being on the Web site is stated as being "optional," this should send up a red flag. Most clients nowadays are requesting digital links to the talent's online portfolio, If you are not on the Web site, how is the agency able to submit you to these clients? Answer is they are not able to. Why on earth then would an agency make this "optional" if their goal is to get you jobs? Answer is their goal is not to get you jobs because they have probably already sold you a photo package, comp cards, classes or a competition or convention and have made their money that way. No legitimate agency would allow you not to be on their Web site if their goal is to get you jobs. Monthly Web site charges should not exceed $30. If possible do not pay upfront for one or more years, even for a reduced fee. If you are unhappy with the agency it will be impossible for you to get your money back, and you will continue to pay for a service you will not use.
> Travel fees
You are responsible for your gas and other normal expenses to and from castings and jobs. You should NEVER be paying the agency for any travel expenses, but those you will incur in the course of doing business are your own responsibility.
>Portfolio and print
Many agencies will have a portfolio stamped with their logo available for purchase. These look very professional, and it's a small expense that makes a good first impression. These books should run between $20 to $75. The cost of printing the pictures included in the book should be approx $5 or so per print. It is normally a digital laser print, and should be about the same or slightly more expensive in cost than the typical print fees for an 8x10 or 11x14 image.
> Mailing fees
These fees have all but gone by the wayside with the digital age, but if your book or demo reel must be overnighted/FedExed somewhere for a specific and special client, the agency might expect you to incur the cost.
NONLEGITIMATE FEES OR REQUIREMENTS:
>Classes, lessons, courses of any kind that are REQUIRED (a good agent will suggest IF ASKED, a BAD agent will push or require)
>Conventions, pageants or modeling competitions
>Shooting with ONLY their photographer
>Doing nonpaid work. This should never be a requirement, but there are some legitimate nonpaid jobs that are great resume builders.
Modeling schools such as Barbizon, John Robert Powers and John Casablanca are not agencies, they are schools.
YOUR CHILD IS NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND A MODELING/ACTING SCHOOL TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS INDUSTRY. It is a very expensive, and very unnecessary step. Do yourself and your child a favor, go and see some REAL agencies.
No legitimate agency will EVER:
> Force, coerce, push or use "hard sales" in order for you to sign something with them or shoot pictures with them.
> Collect money from you (unless it is for a reasonable expense, as outlined above).
> Be located in a hotel or other transient location. Agencies have real offices, not rented-by-the-day spaces.
> Offer you a special deal or a one-time-only offer to sign with them, or purchase a photo package.
>Interview large groups of people all at once. Legitimate agencies take their time to meet with each person; they do not put on a presentation or speak to a crowd.
> Make you pay for an interview or casting.
5. Start working! Once you have your composite card/headshot, and a great agent, you are ready to start working!
Depending on what your agent has going on, it could be as short as a few days or as long as a month or so before you get any castings. You will hopefully have gone over this in your initial interview, but if you have not heard anything for a month or longer, you should feel free to call and check in with your agency.
You might also want to try and get some work for your child on your own. Try Craigslist.org under the film/tv and talent sections. Often people will list here if they are looking for low- or no-paid talent, student films or occasionally, some well-paid work.
You will also want to try and find the filming commission for your state, which will often list upcoming movies/commercials/shows to be shot in your area. They often list casting calls on these sites. This site varies state by state, but you can try a Google search for
"your state" film commission
"your state" filming permits
"your state" film office
This will usually yield the desired results
Also, once you have your child's comp cards, make sure you carry some with you. An astonishing amount of the time models/talent will find work just because you end up talking to the right person in an elevator or sit next to them on a plane. Always making sure you have a comp card will ensure you are prepared if you ever happen to find yourself with the next Steven Spielberg!
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