10 Tips for Getting Your Kids into Film, TV, and Modeling Without Moving to Los Angeles or New York

Interested in starting your kids off in the entertainment industry? Here are 10 steps to getting your child started in the biz - without leaving your hometown.

useful terms:
theatrical agent: agents that book actors for Film and Television
modeling agent: agents that book models. Often Children's theatrical agents will also book models.
commercial agent: agents that book actors for commercials
print modeling: modeling for magazines, pictures of any type, such as cereal boxes, or toy boxes
fit modeling: modeling for fashion designers that need a perfect size in order to make their product
runway modeling: fashion shows
voice overs: your child's voice, not face, will be used to dub commercials, video games, radio advertisements

1. Build their acting resumes. You can do this in a number of ways. For Acting in TV/Film and modeling, it is helpful to sign them up for Community Theater. It will give them practice auditioning, learning lines, and getting up in front of a crowd. The great thing about Community Theater is you don't have to be in a major city. When they start auditioning for film and TV, they will have a leg up on kids who haven't done theater. You might find some resistance at first-many prospective young stars don't like the idea of theater. It may take prompting, but is a guaranteed point in their favor. If your kid is too young for theater, start them in another performance-based class such as dance or music. Another avenue is Fit Modeling. If your child is a perfect size "8" or "10" they can make a lot of money modeling for clothing desingers who need young models to measure their new products. If this is the case, you don't need to sign them up for community theater, since fit modeling is done privately. However, if your child has experience in front of an audience, it will help them get an agent. So even if you go the fit modeling route, it can still be beneficial to sign them up for community theater.

2. Find local acting classes. Another essential for a young person's resume. If they are interested in television, sign them up for an on-camera acting class. If they're interested in modeling, sign them up for a runway class. You can also go to a local shopping mall, and enter them into Junior Runway Shows. These are common at malls accross the country, but if your mall doesn't have one, you can talk to the Children's clothing department about starting one. It's a terrific way for the store to advertise their new products, for a "Back to School" fashion show, or a "Summer Fun" fashion show. These fashion shows are great for your child's resume and for confidence building. Often these fashion shows are better experience than modeling classes, which can be a bit surface level. Fashion Shows are more grounded in skills they will use later. For film and tv, it can never hurt, unless your teacher "over-trains" them. Some kids with natural talent can hurt from classes, so if you see this happening - ie. they're becoming to fake, pull them from the classes. Be wary of any classes that promise stardom-these are scams! No class can make any guarantees. Save the thousand dollars and run in the opposite direction.

3. Take snapshots. Headshots are very important for children above the age of 10. Below the age of 6, a professional snap shot will work. If you have the money, and want to splurge, go for it. Casting directors don't want anything too cutesy or distracting. We know your daughter looks precious with her "surprised" expression and spread out palms. But a casting director wants to see her, smiling, or sincere. And no logos! We know that your son looks adorable in his Giants baseball hat, but what if he goes out for a Dodger's commercial? The entertainment industry is a business - and they want to sell their product! Not someone elses. And you want to sell your product - your child, so show them as neutral as possible.

4. Don't force your child into show business. This should be their decision, along with yours. You don't want them to resent you for pushing them in a direction they're not comfortable with. Film and TV are very time consuming, there can be a lot of pressure, and it is not a great fit for all children. If it's your child's idea, no matter how shy they are, give them a chance! I used to write notes to my parents at night, and slip it under their bedroom door. I wanted to act more than anything. First they allowed me to community theater. After a year they finally brought me into a casting office and I am still greatful to this day.

5. Make sure you have the time for it. This will become your/your parents/your nanny's job as well. Auditioning for film, tv, and modeling jobs can become a grueling process.

6. Once you have a great snapshot/headshot, and resume for them, it's time to find an entertainment agent. Staple the resume to the back of the headshot, with the smooth side of the staple on the side of their picture. Make sure that the headshot and resume are on the same size paper. If you have more than one picture, feel free to send in up to 5, if each shows a different personality. You don't need to send in five identical pictures with your child in 5 different colored shirts. You really only need one picture for film and television. For commercials, it's okay to be more "cutesy" and show your child in different outfits. Commercial headshots are more animated than normal theatrical headshots. If they're interested in modeling, you can also include more pictures.

7. Write a cover letter, introduce your child, and tell them when you are available for interviews. Tell them about your child's interests and hobby's and anything not included on their resume. Tell them what your child is interested in, commercials, film, tv, modeling, print. Be specific since not all agents represent the same thing. Hopefully you can find an agent that represents all areas of entertainment.

8. Go to the SAG website www.sag.org. This is the screen actor's guild, and will provide a list of reputable agents. It's risky to find an agent not SAG or AFTRA or AEA affiliated. They may be scams. And worst, they cannot send your child out on the best auditions.

9. Find the agents closest to your city. You will be surprised-many agencies are located throughout the US. You won't have to move! It may require a bit of driving, but if it's important to you (and your child's college fund) it may be worth it. There are also books availalbe that will help you find agencies and give you further tips. Samuel French is a great resource for film and tv books.

10. Do a mailing. Send out the cover letter, headshots and resume with your phone number and email address. Don't call the agencies, wait for them to call you! It may take up to 3 months before you hear anything. Or you could hear next week. From there, your child will have his/her first meeting. If you don't hear back from anyone, wait about 6 months, build their resume up, and send in new pictures. If it's meant to be, it will be. Break a leg!