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YOU CAN BE A SMALL TOWN STAR.. Pilot Season in Hollywood is not the only way to become famous. For many years I lived in 'Child Actors Boot Camp' in Hollywood, and ran into many families there with their children appearing in travelling shows like 'Annie', 'Daddy Warbucks', 'Les Miserables', etc. There are many little and big stars from Cities and small Towns all over America. If you have the talent and training, and support of your Parents, there are always 'Talent Scouts' and influential people who can see you in a Theatrical production, Commercial or Talent Show, (Stage or TV), and make you known to the right people. Be ready for those auditions, and impress those Producers, Directors, etc., with confidence and poise, and it might even help if parents and their children be aware of some of the 'Stage' lingo, like knowing 'Stage left' from 'Stage right', and 'Downstage' from 'Upstage', 'Break a Leg', etc.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO START IN HOLLYWOOD.. Many rely on Pilot Season to launch their children's career. I have seen it cause stress on relations, finances, confusion, and discouragement if not successful. Many come to Hollywood without the proper preparation and research. It is an expensive, confusing venture for the weak at heart. You have to take your child out of school for 3 months, (average), arrange for schooling, and if successful, possibly be ready to move to Los Angeles area, to be available on short notice. There are other options, that will also involve true talent, dedication and support of parents, who, while their children are hopefully doing their homework, will also be doing another kind of 'adult homework', with an eye for opportunities, training, watching for auditions, and a good focus on the childs talents. WHICH AVENUE TO TAKE.. If you feel your child has a true talent in either dance, voice or acting, (or a combination of talents), read on. What you must do is seek proper training, exposure, your child's passion to succeed in a particular area, for starters. If it is dance, get them good good dance training, get them into dance contests, recitals, if they stand out, they will move on. Time will tell. Many end up in Broadway Shows, etc. Same for a singer. A voice coach, contests, theatrical part, whether Children's Theatre, Summer Stock, whatever. Exposure is paramount. As for a young actor, it is also imperative to get good training, acting classes, good 'cold reading', strong voice, personality, voice coaching, and keeping an eye out for any and all auditions, or parts in local theatre, Children's Theatre, get the Community, the State, or the Country to 'discover' your child. It may sound difficult, but I have seen many success stories, where either someone with 'connections', or a talent scout, or another Actor will 'find' someone, and give them a break. Some had to travel to New York or Chicago for auditions, but I personally have seen many make it to shows in New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, and travelling groups (such as Les Miserables' and others) that travel from City to City, and really enjoy it. A few even get a Hollywood movie break. One young girl I knew of recently got a dance part in a Broadway show! There are many young stars that were found far from Hollywood. They just have to be good, and BE SEEN!! Two words stand out always. EXPOSURE and TALENT.!! This avenue has more opportunities than a Lotto ticket and 3 months in Pilot Season in L.A., and from home!! |
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