How do I get my seven year old into acting?

Question

My daughter is threw with sports and ready for the lime light. She wants more than anything to be in a movie even if she's just in the background. I know that there is probably alot more to it then signing up, but I don't want to thwart one of her dreams just because it might take a little work. My concern is in getting led astray by people just looking to make some cash (I guess I've seen one too many movies with scandalous 'talent scouts' and 'managers'.... Could someone please point me in a direction that leads to honest people with the childrens best interests in mind?

Answer 1

The best place for you to start is a workshop in community theatre. It's like a local acting camp and you can see if she still wants to act after 6-8 weeks of that. If so then sign her up for more classes, including lots of dance (which in my mind is sport-like, it's certainly athletic) and she should be singing as well but maybe not voice lessons quite yet.

As for background acting, she can certainly do that but how is she in school? This requires missing a lot of regular school days and it also requires you to be there with her 100% of the time so you must be ready for that committment. If you live in Los Angeles, there is a company that specializes in procuring children for background work. http://www.kidsmanagement.com/kids.html If not, you can try extrasaccess.com but your best bet may be your state film commissions, alliances, etc. Do a web search for your state name and the word film and see what you come up with. Those sites often have information for locals looking for classes, casting info, etc.

You can also try looking for resume building auditions on backstage.com and actorsaccess.com once she's ready to do that. Please look up the child labor laws in your state as they apply to the entertainment industry. You may ned to obtain an entertainment work permit for your daughter which her school will need tosign off on but as long as her attendance and school work are up to par that shouldn't be a problem.

As for getting an agent, that is not the first step. It's a big committment and you need to make sure she's ready for it before you go there. Start with the things above first. When and if she's ready, then go to http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/application?origin=page1.jsp&event=bea.portal.framework.internal.refresh&pageid=AgentInformation search for agents in your area, then send them her photo, resume and a cover letter telling them that you are seeking representation for your daughter.

The SAG site also has a lot of good info that you should read regarding the industry and agents including contract info. Never pay an agent anything up front. They get 10% of your daughter's pay AFTER she gets a job. Some states have specific requirements regarding a child's pay and what percentage must be put into a locked banked account (in CA we call it a Coogan account) so you must look into that as well.

good luck

Answer 2

Has she ever done any acting at all? That would seem to be the place to start, with lessons and local performances. There are legitimate talent agencies who represent children, and only take a percentage of the money earned from jobs they get for the child. But those agencies are pretty picky about who they take. They want more than a cute kid, they want a trained kid.

You don't need an agent to work as an extra, but you do need to be near where a movie is being filmed, and you need to be able to find out when and if extras are needed. There is someone here who has posted links about extra work in the past, perhaps they'll come around today as well.

Answer 3

okay, what first caught my attention about your question was 'she's through with sports'. Think about it. Are you going to spend tons of money for her to get an agent and auditions only for her to get bored and want to move on to something else? Also, you're right, you don't just sign up. And you can't just start off leading a movie. It's a process. I've know people who've been in a commercial or two, but never made it farther than that. And is she able to handle the pressure? Driving all over for auditions, (if she did get a movie role, being away from home for weeks), being turned down again and again before getting the role? Or will she cry at first failure? And you're not twarting her dreams, she can participate in school plays, or public plays. She could take communtiy acting classes. I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to make you realize that it's not an easy thing, getting into showbiz.

Answer 4

"Threw [sic] with sports" at only seven? How long could she possibly have been playing them for?

It immediately sounded to me like your daughter gets bored easily. Trust me, breaking into acting takes a huge amount of work and resilience. She's simply not old enough to grasp the concept that what looks like easy fun [being on TV or in movies] is actually a lot of work.

I'll give you an example for YOU to ponder. Watch the film "Singin' in the Rain" and observe Gene Kelly in any of his numbers [particularly the title number]. Looks like they just started the cameras and he did it on the spur of the moment, right? But the reality was weeks of rehearsals in which everything was detailed and rehearsed to death. Lots of sweat.

Anyway, if your daughter is serious, seek out an agent who handles juvenile clients. You probably know the main things to watch out for, such as not paying any up-front costs and not signing anything without having an attorney review it [and don't agree to a commission rate higher than 15%]. However, you will have to pay to get headshots done. Make sure the agency is licensed, and contact the Screen Actors Guild to find out if the agency is on their good or bad list.

Answer 5

first :where do you live?either near NYC or LA or even Chigago.
seek out an agent speacilizing in children.
DO NOT PAY ANY KIND OF FEE FOR ANYTHING LIKE REGISTRATION OR LESSONS OR PICTURES OR WHATEVER.IF ANYONE ASKS FOR MONEY RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY!!!!!
if and when you find an agent who is on the up and up get your advise from him/her.
you will naeed 8x10s perhaps with 4 different shots including head shot and full length.these you will need to duplicated maybe 50 to start.
secondly:make very sure you and your daughter really want this because it's not a good thing if you can't take critisism and rejection.
thirdly:research what kind of legal permits your city wants you to get every time she gets a job.where you will have to go for them and so forth.it may be too much for you to do.
also find out if the schools will allow time out for auditions or work or if you will have to find a pivate school for kids who work and the costs of same.
hope this helps a bit

Answer 6

Get her an agent, do this by getting her in as many school plays as poss, get her into drama clubs at school, get her into workshops, and the local theatre club, this will take work, but if your daughter likes acting so much she will enjoy it!
then go on sites such as star now and many more (if you want details on any good reputable agencies, websites for auditions, tips then email my profile! - dont hesitate!)
then get her to learn a monologue or two, if she is good at dramatic scenes and not at comedy, choose dramatic monologues (again, if you need any monologues please email and ask!)
then write her up a DVD, with a monologue on , write a CV with all your daughters details, what she has been in, what she likes, and send it to as many companys as poss!
if you decide to get her into an agency then dont go with one that want cash up front, as they are a rip off, email me if youd like a list of reputable agencys for young people along with your location.
All the best of luck to your daughter, and be proud of yourself for standing by your wishes and dreams! i know alot of mums wouldnt!

Answer 7

Get her an agent.

Answer 8

Please can you email me with your daughter's height and which part of the country you live in.