He attends a youth drama group and is really keen
2007-01-30 08:22:35 · 13 answers · asked by MALANIE E 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
First off: does he want to act or does he want to be famous? If it's fame then just forget it.
Made it this far? OK.
Being in a youth drama group is a good start. Experience is the most important thing, going to any kind of drama school is not important (in fact many directors prefer kids who don't). So the trick is to get as much experience as possible. Getting into student films is very good, there's no pay but excellent experience.
The way to find an agent, if you're in the UK, which I'm guessing you are, is to get hold of a book called "Contacts" which comes from Spotlight (http://www.spotlight.com/). As he's just starting out your lad does not need an entry in Spotlight, at least not yet, just get the book.
This lists all the real agents in the UK, there's a special section for those who represent kids. BUT they will only take someone as a client IF they think they can get work for him because that's how they make their money. However he *will* need professional balck & white photos done.
(Agents are allowed to charge admin fees but they can only take it out of earned wages, they can't charge direct.)
Very Important Rule: (1) Any "agency" that wants money up-front is a fraud, and is breaking the law (or will be soon). (2) Any "agency" that does not audition your child is probably not worth being in.
Agencies are useful but they are not essential.
The Not A Pushy Mum website (http://www.notapushymum.com/) has lists of auditions being held that are open to anyone to apply to. This site also has lots of information that you need to know. Plus lots of helpful parents (including me: I'm Aladdinsane on that site, one of the Moderators on the forum).
You could subscribe to http://www.starnow.co.uk/ although I recently unsubscribed. It's "good" if you want to get onto reality TV but that's not a good plan for someone who really wants to act.
Another option is http://www.mandy.com/ which gets lots of student films and is global, it costs nothing (unless you want possible jobs sent to you by e-mail).
Boys are more in demand than girls, and there are far more girls than boys wanting to act. So he stands a reasonable chance of getting work -- if you're in the London area he'll get far more opportunities than if elsewhere.
Finally: Make sure he does his schoolwork, acting is a very badly paid profession and he'll need to be able to do a non-acting job when he's ... resting.
Good luck.
2007-01-30 10:47:01 · answer #1 · answered by replybysteve 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Replybst....gives good advice. If your son already attends a youth drama group, that's a great start. Has he come across auditions for the national youth theatre yet? Agent wise, do be careful of agencies demanding upfront fees, and check out Contacts which does have pages of Agencies who deal directly with children. It'll be easier to find someone if you live, again assuming you're resident in the UK, in or near London or perhaps Manchester. Good Luck.
2007-01-30 20:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's that keen - get him into a drama or stage school. Get him properly trained first. When at a drama school they will have affiliated agents who will initially sign him up until he completes his course.
Going to an agent straight away, unless your son is an acting prodigy, is the wrong way around it.
2007-01-31 20:32:16 · answer #3 · answered by HB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are his best agent currently...more cost effective too. You need to get online and find out information on casting calls and auditions. Take a trip to N.Y. Attend SAG conferences. Learn all you can for now. Keep your ear to the ground for even being an "extra" in a film. This will build his profile, give them something to really look at. He will need a good portfolio too. Create a website to promote him and his ablilities too and as a reference in his portfolio. If he is in enough "extra" parts...he can earn a SAG membership also if he does it all in a certain amount of time. Being a part of the Screen Actor's Guild is very helpful and will help him audition for better parts. Go to the SAG website listed below and browse around it.
2007-01-31 03:55:23 · answer #4 · answered by peacemaker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your son doesn't need an agent at this stage of the game but he need a school that teaches acting. It takes a considerable am out of training in order to be good and finding a job as an actor.
2007-01-30 08:35:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're kidding, right? At 13 (unless he handsome beyond belief and talented beyond belief) you start out in the youth drama group, community theater, plays at school, and acting workshops. Agents take only the best of the best (and the best of the best also have to have a certain look/appearance that is in vogue today). Agents are extremely selective about whom they choose, and all the action is happening on the west coast for the most part. Better he get his education and eventually major in theater at some college (with something else to fall back on in case he isn't the next big star), because really, most people who go for this end up waiting tables in LA or NYC, and they keep on waiting them forever! Most never make the grade in show biz. It's all about connections, too, and filled with tons of disappointment.
2007-01-30 08:33:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
lots of the greater advantageous degree and screed actors attend some style of drama training.. that's only area of paying your dues. there is a lot to assessment even in the adventure that your son is as sturdy as you're saying he's.
2016-09-28 05:01:48 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most talent agents do NOT represent childeren. Children usually have a Talent Manager, NOT an Agent.
Contact managers to see if they are in your city:
http://www.talentmanagers.org/members.php
2007-01-31 07:30:11 · answer #8 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
where do u live? in ny there is nancy carson, she is erally hard to get and she mostly does broadway but she has some pretty talented kids. if you do go to her audition and they tell you to say some lines and that you don't have to memorize them, memorize them trust me they want you to. you might not be able to see her though, there is also abrams, generation, and sandcastle, there are a couple more but i think those are the best that you can get in ny, i live in ny and iv been with all of them exept nancy carson but im auditioning for her soon.
2007-01-30 10:12:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all you really don't have to pay to be an actor but you can go to proscout.com and look when they are having another interview that's is where i went and they said that i was a little to little to be a actress but they are wanting like 12,13,and like 14 so you should go there
2007-01-30 11:34:09 · answer #10 · answered by marissa b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋