Author:
David
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Date Posted: 09:24:07 05/10/05 Tue
I have been watching this board for a little while, because I have been starting to look around for agencies and modeling/acting opportunities for my young daughter. And, as much as I want to stay silent, I just have to speak up at this point.
All it takes, folks, is a little research, a little objectivity, and a little common sense. We all know that our own children are the most beautiful and the most talented in the world. That is a healthy feeling, because it shows we're supportive of our own children. And I happen to think that ALL children are beautiful and precious, and that they're all stars in their own unique way.
But step back for a minute and ask yourself, if my child really has the look and the talent, and can make a lot of money (thereby making the agent rich), why do I have to shell out mega-bucks in advance?
Reputable agencies will NEVER ask for money up front. They may recommend photographers and classes, but will NEVER offer them, or make you pay the agency for them. You will ALWAYS pay the photographer, school, etc., completely separately from the agency. If you are EVER asked to give the agency ANY MONEY AT ALL, run. As fast as you can. Reputable agencies only get their money when you get paid.
Now, there's nothing intrinsically WRONG with these "model management" companies that offer classes and photography, but you have to be able to evaluate them on their own merits. Do they have strong classes taught by professional WORKING teachers? Do they have great photographers? Never mix an agency and these services, otherwise you're stuck with perhaps a good agent but a bad photographer.
But, all too typically, when you usually evaluate them on their merits, they're either bad agents, bad instructors, bad photographers, or all of the above.
That's not to say that these companies don't serve a purpose. You can get some good practical advice on personal care, hair styling, etiquette, etc. But most professionals say you either have it or you don't. Training may help, but it doesn't make a model where there was none to begin with.
The best route to take, and the one to make sure you're getting the best value for your money, is to shop around for agents separately from photographers and classes.
If you're looking for your child, take good quality snapshots yourself, focusing on the traditional headshot and a 3/4 or full length shot. Print them out at a photo lab, or 8.5x11 color copies on glossy card stock at CopyMax, Kinko's, etc., for $1 a page. You can really do your own headshots and comp cards up that way.
Send these to agents and schedule interviews. Then, get advice from your agent before you get photographs. They are on your side, and will try to cultivate your child's image. After all, if you succeed, you make them money. Usually, professional photos for children before signing with an agent are a waste. Besides, children change so much, and an agent will want to see them as they are, not as when they had a photo shoot a year ago.
Separately, get your child as involved as you possibly can, but follow their lead as far as where their interest lies. Maybe they're into modeling, maybe acting, maybe singing, maybe NONE of it. You can't make them into something they're not, but you can provide opportunities for them to grow and experience new things. Get them involved in church plays, school choir, etc. Look for opportunities for print ads, like a local store. Offer up your child's services for free, for the experience. Register with a local children's clothing store or the children's department of a chain store for any future fashion shows they may have. It will give your child runway experience. Dance classes are a huge benefit, and give your child practical stage performance experience. Local children's theater troupes often offer classes and summer camps, which will broaden your child's experiences, and you can put those on her resume. All of these will make her more well-rounded and give her valuable experience that will appeal to an agent and give her an idea where her passions lie.
The biggest things though, mom and dad, is to get educated and informed yourself.
Check out a few web sites, starting with www.easybackgroundcheck.com. Check out some local agency web sites, to see what kinds of kids they are booking.
Check out the tons of books on the subject. The best one I've ever read was Raising a Star by Nancy Carson, but there are several excellent ones, such as Wilhelmina's World of Child Modeling by Natasha Esch and Acting Up! by Lucia Forte.
And the biggest thing, have fun with this, and with your child. Don't put all this pressure on your child to succeed. Be willing to admit that your child might not be cut out for the business. Your child will be excellent at something, we just don't know what it is yet. Your job as parent is to help her discover and cultivate it. Because, whatever it is that she ends up doing, she will always be your child...
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