How does my 11 year old get into show biz?

Question

My 11 year old loves acting dancing and singing. When he is on stage for anything he is so confident and laps it up.

He really wants to go into acting, but I haven't got a clue of where to start. I have done a search on www but it seems to be firms just wanting to take money and nothing else.

we are on a limited budget living in the west midlands.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

This is important to my son so anyone taking the micky will be reported for abuse

Answer 1

you cant go straight to the top so go and look every were for a nearish stage school or even drama classes,he may enjoy it but he needs more experience so get him lessons, or mabey stage school and the get him some audicions like mabey for eastenders!

Answer 2

If he goes for acting lessons it's ok to pay but the other day I saw something on GMTV about this woman who took her daughter to a 'modeling agency' and it turned out they only wanted money. They disappeared afterwards and they never got to see the photo's or anything. Be very careful, there are some dishonest people out there. Also when you take him for auditions etc, make sure he has a resume with everything he's done so far, it looks good if he's been in competitions etc. Try the websites at the bottom. There are a few that look ok. Otherwise google 'acting agents, uk' which will give you loads more info

Answer 3

Good for him!
Both of you should be weary of anyone who wants money for offering a service many professionals do as a labour of love. Sending pictures you have snapped yourself to modelling agencies and child agents (many of them are in the yellow pages, Broadcast magazine and other trade papers) is always a good start.
As you say you're on a budget, try acting/drama clubs. Are there any at his school?
Unfortunately you have to prepare him for the rubbish, rejection and backbreaking hard work that comes in this field. if you think 'Pop Idol' and programmes of that ilk are cruel, then unfortunaltey, it is just the tip of the iceberg, although there are plenty of great ones, there are some nasty people in this industry. Keep your wits about you. If something is too good to be true, then it most definately is.

Hope this helps, when your boy is picking up his Oscar make sure he gives 'Answers' a heads up!

Answer 4

You must be in Britain, because I have no clue as to what "Taking the micky" means. Anyway, your son is only 11. He should stick with community theater, school plays, take acting workshops (I am sure all of those things exist in Britain as they do in the US), and get all of the experience he can in those venues. Trying to get him into show business at such a young age would be disastrous, and he has plenty of time later. You eventually need an agent (very hard to get one in the US unless you are exceptional and the agent thinks there is a buck to be made), and you really have to acquire connections in the business. Most agents get their clients by referrals. In addition, much of show business (at least in the US) is not about what you know but about who you know. Again, 11 years-old is very young, and I would instead encourage him in his education, because to be honest, the chances of him making it big in show business (at least in the US) are remote at best. That is not to say impossible, but that business is one of disappointment and dashed hopes and dreams. he can content himself for now with local theater and that sort of thing. Hopefully this advice is not what you call "Taking the micky."

Answer 5

There are lots of part-time stage schools (listed below) around the West Midlands, where you son could learn the basics of show business on Saturday mornings for a few pounds a time. Once attending classes, his drama teachers will hear of up-coming auditions and let the kids know about them. (My daughter has auditioned for Byker Grove and the stage show Billy Elliott for example). It is a chance to make new friends too, and kids seem to love it.

Jane Stevens (Broadway)
Allesley School of Dancing (Allesley)
Betty Fox Stage School (Birmingham)
Big Youth Theatre (Birmingham)
Birmingham Theatre School (Birmingham)
Carrie Bianco Stage School (Rugby)
Centre Stage (Wolverhampton)
Gazebo Theatre-In-Education Co Ltd (Wednesbury)
Harlequin Stage School (Worcester)
Novelli Stage School (Sutton Coldfield)
Pamela Tidmarsh Dance Studios (Shirley)
The Rainbow School Of Speech & Drama (Birmingham)
Shayne Guiness Stage School (Wolverhampton)
Templar Theatre & Arts Company & Templar Agency (Birmingham)

You could also try looking in The Stage newspaper, which lists auditions for adults and kids around the country - or get him to keep an eye on the Newsround website at bbc.co.uk, which is where Rupert Grint heard about the Harry Potter auditions when he was the same age as your son is now!

Answer 6

Exploretalent.com Is really good. You have a web page with your pic and infomation on it and they email you auditions in your area that is right for your child. Also directors and other people check the web site to find talent. My daughter was in a music video 2 months ago and actually has a audtion today this afternoon. Gl to ya

Answer 7

Ask people who work at local theaters for advice. Not movie theaters, but the ones where people are actually performing on stage.

Answer 8

You sound like the mother in "Little Britain"
Children deserve childhoods, not being dragged around poxy interviews.
Report me to Yahoo...! You asked the question, I gave you an honest answer.

Answer 9

Get his headshot done and send it to as many casting agents and any actors agencies dealing with kids

Answer 10

By encouraging him to make his own choices not dragging him along to live out your dreams.

Report away..he should be havin fun not bein forced to be the next mackaulay culkin