How to become a child actor?

Question

My 8 year old daughter would like to know what is the best way to become an actor.
Has anyone done or knows anyone who has gone into this and what would be the best way to go about it.

Answer 1

Hi Amanda,
I totally failed my RADA audition, as at the age of 15, I did not come up to their standards in terms of playing a musical instrument, (guitar & piano, in my case), could sing, but not with any great talent for it, act a part, but "not convincing enough".
It is a tough business to do well at.
However, a freind of mine simply went to the auditions for "Oliver"
and plonked a part as one of the kids, at 10 years old.
He has never regretted it, and now appears as a character actor from the West End to Hollywood, and doing very nicely out of it.
I suppose only I and a few others recognise his name in the titles,
Another freind has a daughter in Eastenders, and got the job by simply writing in, meeting the casting Director, and now chauffer driven to the set, and on about £2000 per week. The short blonde one. It is always worth a shot, but the thoughts seem to be - always have a career in the background, should it all turn to worms.
Practice, more practice & sheer hard work & dedication will help no end.
Local AmDram is a cheap & cheerful way to get your foot on the ladder, or perhaps a local acadamy, specialising in the performing arts.
I turned out to be a communications bod for the Govt., but still play in a mediocre local band, and play a part in local stage plays.
It is all good fun, yet do not build your hopes up too much.
I wish your budding actor all the best, though.
Cheers,
Bob.

Answer 2

Several years of good training and getting loads of experience away from school will get rid of any shyness problems - although most actors are basically shy. But you'd have to be okay with acting on stage, live, to a live audience, in plays. All actors have to be versatile, and ready to do stage plays, TV, movies, schools tours - anything. Saying that you wouldn't do plays is like saying that you're a bad actor. Anyway - during filming there can be a huge crowd standing around watching you! But by the time you've had all that training and got the experience you're going to be too old to be a 'child actor'. If you want to try acting, get into a class and start learning - but it's going to take years of very hard work. Good luck!

Answer 3

Check out Songtime
Since 1989 we have successfully trained our students in preparation for a career in the entertainment industry...With our many training centres across London and the home counties producing over 15 full scale theatre productions a year, Songtime offers fantastic opportunities to today’s future professionals.
By attending there classes she will be able to use her talent singing,acting,dancing.
At the end they will put on a show at the local theatre.
Best of luck.

Answer 4

Allow her to become involved in amatuer dramatics so she can see first hand that it is not as simple as the kids we have seen in films over Xmas make it appear. It involves a lot of hard work, heartache and dissapointment and she is likely looking to find her creative strong points. It may not lie in acting so why not encourage activities to encourage her all round, dancing, art, writing etc. The celebrity culture is so insane presently that kids naturally get caught up in the hype and want a peice of it. It's only a lucky few who make it as they say and even the lucky few can get destroyed as much as they get built up, look what happened to Lena Zavoroni, Macauly Culkin, Haley Joe Osmant etc etc. Do you really want that for your daughter when all she probably wants is to find of way of being special, just like all kids do? It's up to us parents to make them feel special and not to let them find it in a way that will be tough and largely fantasy.

Answer 5

the best way too start in this career beleive it or not is the theatre...panamines that kind of thing if your daughter is good enough send her too drama school(i think theres one in london somewhere)and get her a agent...

But this is a hard career path too follow many children do get turnt down alot so be prepare for plenty of tears and saddness if your daughter is determined though she may maske it after all anythingis possible if you try hard enough...

also look in the local actors guide /drama club guides for local auditions...

goodluck..

Answer 6

the celeb world is full of adult actors from child stars so if you read stories on here of some of those stars you may get a hint or two// but i do know you have to have talent and push yourself and don't give up if rejected at times

Answer 7

The first thing you should do is get your daughter into acting classes.
Involve her in plays, and any other way she can act.

Next you will need to find her an agent, the agent will be able to get her into comercials, and other things where people can see her.
Try to get her to auditions and other things.

The agent also can help to get into movies even if she is only an extra for the time being.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

don't bother. there is far to much pain. if you want to be an actor at an early age, just take it one step at a time. learn as you get older. there are far to many people out there who want to use and abuse you. go steady, if you have talent it will come through. try a legitamic school of acting.

Answer 9

u will have to go to a dramatic class first and hopefully someone will recommend her to an agent, A friend of ours son got lucky and is a star in the Harry potter movies

Answer 10

just act like a child