Ever thought of getting your child into acting and modeling? Here are some great tips from moms, publicists and talent agencies:
These are some great links for parents to go to:
http://www.SAG.org (Screen Actors Guild has great links for parents and their safety)
http://www.actorsaccess.com
http://www.dragonukconnects.com/home.php
- Louise Sattler
Host of Learning and Laughter on Toginet
Wednesday 9am - 10am EST
The website is: http://www.facebook.com/l/de864;www.showbizltd.com. For about $20, they'll mail you a listing of all legitimate agencies in the tri state area, or any area in the country that you request.
- Michele R.
We've all thought about it-you open up your magazine and that adorable kid from the Baby Gap ad looks out at you with those big eyes and you think, "My baby can do that!." Or, as you're out with your child everyone stops you and says, "What an adorable child, he should be a model!" And you think, "Could he? Should I try?" Read on and you can decide if it's worth it. . .
My son got his first job when he was six months old. There was no casting (try-out); we just needed to be in San Diego (an easy drive from my home in South Orange County) at a certain time. Once we were there, we only had to wait a little bit until it was his turn to shoot. And when it was, I was on set with him, interacting and trying to make him smile. The whole thing probably took about an hour and a half-it was quick and easy and my son came away $300.00 richer. As we drove home I thought, "This is fabulous! Why didn't I start earlier?"
I came to find out that his first job was a best case scenario and we quickly got a taste of what modeling was really like. First off, 99% of the time, your child has to go to a casting, which is usually in Los Angeles, before they are booked for a job. So, for me, living in San Clemente, that's at the minimum, a good hour's drive. When you get to the casting, there are two types-those that are scheduled and go very fast or open call castings. The latter are not fun-they have hundreds of kids running about and you're looking at spending the next hour of your life in a lobby trying to entertain your child. After the casting (which in itself takes a minute and you're doing all that you can to make your child smile), you need to find some kind of activity for your child to do before you get back in the car and sit in more traffic. This is how my child discovered McDonald's-it's an easy way to kill some time before you head back home. We've also played in cemeteries (seriously), malls, bookstores and of course, the real score, parks.
It can take lots of castings before your child books that first job, and when they do, you'll probably be driving back up to LA. My son has done several jobs in Malibu (three hour drive) and some in Reseda and Agoura Hills (two hours). The job will be at a studio set or on location, but either way, you'll need to entertain him in what will most likely be a small room. There's always a "teacher" on set who helps the older kids with their homework, but sometimes you'll get lucky and there will be a great one who has brought lots of toys for the younger kids as well. You should also bring food as you never know if there will be something provided for your child. Legally, when they are under three, they can be kept on set for four and half hours, so be prepared for everything (I found this out the hard way).
When it is time for your child to shoot, there will almost always be what's called a "baby wrangler". This person is in charge of making your child laugh, look in the direction of the camera, and keep him in good spirits. Again, there are good and bad ones. My son has cried uncontrollably on set because the baby wrangler's antics scared him so. Some companies let you be on set as well, trying to make your child laugh, while others keep you in a separate room or behind a walled barricade. One important thing to remember is that your child will get paid no matter what the photos turn out like-he may not even get shot and you will still get paid the minimum time. The best situation is when your child repeatedly works for the same company-castings are virtually eliminated, your child gets to know the photographer and crew, and the entire situation is a whole lot less intimidating.
How much does it pay? Editorial jobs usually pay the least (averages about $150.00 per day) and advertising jobs pay the most (average about $150.00 an hour). Of course, these are only averages and some jobs pay less and some pay way more. A daughter of a friend of mine booked a Liz Claiborne ad and was paid $2,500!
All in all, there are a lot of cons—the driving, the “drop everything and go” (you usually find out about castings the night before) and the general stress of the situation. But, it’s a great way for your child to learn how to interact with others, the pay is usually good, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your child’s face in an ad, toy packaging, or POP in a store—no matter how much of a non-show mom you are.
Breezy Tip: Want to get your baby into pictures? Find an agency in your area and read their web site on how to apply. Agencies such as Ford Models and Jet Set generally require that you send in a photo of your child and they will then contact you if they’re interested.Alex Ota
- Breezy Mama
www.breezymama.com
alex@breezymama.com
I wish there were some direct and easy answers I could give you.
Becoming a professional model for an adult is an iffy proposition to say the least, so you can imagine what the chances are for a child, your child, any child to reach that status.
Being honest with you, Mother Nature has provided each of us with an inbred gene that finds our own children attractive so we are all somewhat bias on the subject. Yes we have all heard that our child is "The most beautiful child I've ever seen and that he/she should be modeling" from a grandmother, mother-in-law, neighbor, friend or even a complete stranger on the street.
However that does not mean that your child has what it takes to become a professional. Because it takes more than good looks to become a professional, it requires that your child is very photogenic, has stamina, strength, impeccable manners, a certain temperament, and even then there are no guarantees that professional success will come your child's way.
Start with taking some photographs of your child. How do they respond to the camera? Do they like having their picture taken? Do they act naturally in front of the camera or do they show off?
Once you have a few shots that you think are indicative of your child's looks, take or send them to a local modeling agency for an evaluation. Or forward them to some place like www.thecutekids.com and see what response you get.
A word of caution here: No one should have their hand out for a payment of any kind at this point. Anyone who promises that your child will be become a star if you cough up some cash is lying to you.
If your child has a look that a well known modeling agency knows they can market, believe me, they will knock on your door with a contract in hand. Yes after agreeing to and signing a contract you may be asked to pay for the printing of some head sheets to help sell your child's look but really that should be the only expense you should occur.
Remember reputable modeling agency's make money by presenting your child to possible clients and getting your child the jobs. To do so will require in many cases that you take your child to a client "Go See". Now here comes something you had better be ready for, the endless and costly trips to photography studios and client offices. A long string of rejections or not hearing if your child has been booked, this is where you have to make a determination if it is all worth it or not. Of course your child may make that decision for you just by not being willing to "do it again." That's where the temperament, strength, stamina and manners parts that I spoke about earlier come into play for both you and your child. And there are still no guarantees that after 100's of "Go Sees" your child will become a professional model.
So my advise on how your child can become a professional model?
I'm really not sure, even with all of the above there is still that element of "being in the right place at the right time." I know that's one way that many professionals have been "discovered." Look at Lindsey Lohan, Jennifer Connelly, Kirsten Dunst or dozens of others. It was my pleasure working with all of them when they were getting started. But they are the few out of the many thousands who try every day.
- Sheryl Raskin
President
sheryl@outtherepr.com
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Is the dream of raising a family turning out to be everything you'd expected? Or were you a bit shocked by the reality of Chuck E. Cheese calamities, diaper dilemmas and major mom mishaps in the mini-van like we were? 
Cindi Schmitzer is a wife, mother of four, former CPA and and volunteer. Nina Frye is a wife, mother of three, and the sales girl of the universe. Together they own LTDchix.com and remind moms that they are “Living the Dream.”