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ABOUT YOUR CHILDS AGE.. Few actually read all our pages. That can be important to a parent seriously considering getting their child in the Biz, so repetition may be noticed on several fronts. It is not wise to try to get a child under 5 in the business..period. As previously stated, that is not talent. That is just 'cute'. Studios nowadays are cost-cutting, and if a small child or baby is called for, many times they are provided by someone in the Production area. A good age to get a child going is 5 to 12.. A good place to start is acting classes, voice coaching, singing, dance, theatre, any other talents are a plus. Some start in 'print work'. (good exposure) or commercials. Many of these do not require an Agent, especially local. Trying to get into Show Business with no experience is extremely difficult, and rare. Another great start is a Children's Theatre Group. This is also good exposure to the public, and good training and discipline. Doing well in Theatre will require memorizing lines, projection of voice, placement and familiarity with a stage. (They will quickly learn 'stage left' from 'stage right', and upstage from 'downstage', timing, costume changes, acts, scenes, etc.) BEFORE YOU GET AN AGENT.. An Agent is in business to make money. Before you seek out an Agent, get your child some experience. Very few agents will sign someone with no experience. A good cook goes to a culinary school. A beautician goes to Beauty School. A lawyer studies several years to pass the bar exam. Bottom line, experience is the key in landing an agent! If your resume contains impressive training or background, they may see dollar signs. Any and all talents count. No experience, usually a good bet, no agent. It all helps. Especially acting classes, theatre, commercials, good looks, good voice, good attitude. If you think you have a young, talented musician, dancer, singer, or actor, and you're willing to take the initiative to help them succeed, then go for the gold.! There are no promises, but if you don't play, you won't win.!! You can kick yourself later, for not trying.. WHAT IS BEST AGE.. As I have said, about 5 to 12 is best. In the first paragraph, I explained why below 5 is not a good bet. Also, anything above 12 can be difficult. These are the 'in between' years, when size, voice, and looks change rapidly, before you have an Adult actor. (There are 1000's of them in Hollywood) out of which maybe a few percent are working. There is almost always call for a good young actors for many parts from Broadway to Orlando to Hollywood, or even Theatre, or road shows, from City to City, like 'Les Miz'.) I feel it is best to start grooming your young actor at about 5. With luck, you should be ready for an agent by age 7. But by all means, keep up any and all exposure, whether it is a commercial, print work, or a small part in a small theatre production. Reading and memorizing lines can make or break a prospective young actor too. He or she must read lines naturally, as if they are not reading from a script. The ability to insert feelings, emotions, in the proper place is a plus. AGE AND THE PARENTAL SACRIFICE.. It is a difficult undertaking, for parents, (usually the Mom) to do all this work as well as taking care of a family at the same time. I have even seen Mothers that actually enjoy it. Get their kids to school, soccer practice, baseball, and still find time to concentrate on a child's acting lessons, looking for auditions, even taking the frequent rejections in stride. I applaud all who are able to handle this incredible venture, to some, a very lucrative and exciting ride up the ladder of success, and even Hollywood for some. It does take a 'special' kind of person to be able to handle all this work, networking, stress, as if it isn't hard enough to raise several kids in the age range we are talking about, 5 to 12. But for the persistant, you will get out of it what you put into it, and of course, this must be something your child wants with a passion also. If you have the 'feeling' that things are swinging in your favor, give it all you got.! You cannot make a star out of a kid with no talent, so be realistic, by all means, and make sure you get honest input from casting directors, agents, friends, acting coaches, etc., so you don't just think you see light at the end of a tunnel, and it turns out to be a train coming the other way.!! Like your son or daughter, do your homework, keep an eye out for published auditons, learn all you can, it can be more every day. Watch out for 'scams' where someone will offer you promises of success for a sum of money for 'special' training and photos. Try to maintain a relation with 'legit', upstanding teachers or coaches, and remember that word, 'exposure' which is paramount to a new young talent. Theatre is a great start, whether it is local, Childrens, or a small stage production. Don't forget commercials and print work get that face out there also. Good luck.!!
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