Agents for Young Actors

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The Agent. Don't be intimidated or nervous about an interested Agent. All legit Agents are State licensed and regulated. There are no up front fees. If an Agent has an interest in your child, and wants to represent same, they usually have a one or three year contract to offer. The standard franchised Agent fee is 10%. In some cases, an Agent must negotiate your fee on a 'scale plus 10%' basis. This depends on your work area, and agreement you are working under. You may get a call-back for an interview at an Agents office. They may request your child try reading a few lines. You never know what they are looking for. It is NOT always just good looks. Your child may have a 'unique' look, voice or personality that is just what someone is shopping for! Do learn to handle some rejection along the way. Don't make it all work and no play. Have fun, go to the beach, Disneyland or Universal Studios. Use a little praise, persistence and maybe a hot dog or pizza! (For those who venture visiting L.A., but have some fun wherever you are!)

What do they look for.. Agents make money when their clients make money. Of course talent is a must. Looks and presentation usually help. Personality and charisma, a big plus. A strong voice and a noticeable confidence will get attention too. Your child may be asked to read some lines 'cold'. Maybe even a brief song, acapella. (no music.) Most agents are perceptive enough to notice if the child really wants to act, or if the parents want the child to act! This is why most serious parents get their children into good acting classes, maybe some Children's Theater, dance, singing, and voice coaching lessons. Like any goal in life, practice, dedication, focus, and a genuine love and drive to be a better actor every day is paramount in this quest to impress an agent..

Expectations.. It takes quite a commitment to help your child get into the Biz. In the beginning, it is tough to break even, or much less make a profit, while you are paying bills including a manager, coach and acting classes! It could take 40 or 50 auditions to land a part as a child actor, which translates into many hours on the road, and a lot of fast food. If your child gets a part, his or her schooling must not suffer. California's stringent laws require that a young actor maintain a 'C' average in school. Tutoring is provided while your child is working on a set. Depending on age, there is also a limit to the amount of time your child can spend on the set. Concentration on school work is sometimes difficult, due to all the excitement out of the classroom. Keep a positive attitude.

How do I get an Agent? First get yourself a healthy amount of 8 X 10 inch head-shots. (Black and white.) I have found most Agents prefer no writing on the picture. On the back, you can put pertinent info like name, age, height, weight, optional S.S. number, hobbies and any special talents, (Juggling, singing, dancing, etc.) any training or credits, and a contact phone number. If you do decide to have a name on the FRONT of the photo, make sure it is at the bottom, out of the picture information area. (If you later want these photos in the Academy Directory, they do NOT accept photos with names on them!) I prefer the glossy 8 X 10 photo as opposed to lithos. Although lithos are cheaper, the real photo looks so much better! They are well worth the extra cost.

Set aside a day or two to drop off your child's head-shots at the Agents offices. You may wish to bring him/her along. Make it brief, and you may not even get by the receptionist! Just ask to leave it for their consideration. (Be smart, get a name.) Don't worry, they do look over these pictures! It may take a while, but I have found people have better luck dropping these off in person than by mailing them in. They seem to disappear more frequently when mailed in!

The Directory.. If you have a legit Agent and or Manager, I do recommend putting your Children's photos in The Academy Players Directory. Every Studio and Agent gets these, and I feel they will not hurt for exposure. After all, not every Studio likes to have "CATTLE CALLS", and they just may refer to the Directory to pick out their choice of faces for prospective auditions! Keep busy and clever in getting all the exposure you can for your child.

Best Time?.. It used to be 'Pilot Season'...sometimes now referred to a 'Scam Season'..is almost a waste of time now. Of thousands who flock to L.A. nowadays, if you do not have an impressive resume, and a SAG affiliated Agent, and some leads, you are wasting your money. (Up to or more than $5000 a month!) Save all that money, and get a local Franchised Agent, who may have some ties in L.A. A good Agent may be found in Orlando, Miami, New York, Chicago, and many other Cities. Build your resume and experience in your home turf. Get good exposure, training, acting and coaching lessons, commercials, theatre. Hollywood can wait. Money is getting tight, even for the big Studios. Look at all the 'reality' shows now. (Cheap to turn out.) But opportunities still exist in many areas. Don't give up. Theatre, movie casting, commercials, travelling shows, Disney, Nickelodeon can be having auditions at any time. If you can be ready to travel on a dime for an audition, out of town, that would be great too! BEWARE of these 'Talent Agencies' that will almost promise your child work, if you show up for an 'audition', pass their simple screening, and pay them up to thousands of dollars.!! A REAL waste of time and money..