Son Wants to Be on Tv, Model

I'd put him in a dance class now so he can have the skills. He'd probably be in recitals and such and would be loving the stage performances. Then you would know if he could handle the big time.

For anyone wanting to put their child into entertainment, it is imperative that your child has a compliant nature and can follow directions no matter what.

I worked on a TV miniseries that hired a few young children. No matter how talented or cute or drop dead gorgeous the child was, if they didn't cooperate, they were gone!

One time we narrowed our lot down to 5 little girls. We spent about 30 mins in a room w/them, just hanging out, just so we could see how well they respond to direction. We also wanted to see who was a stage mom and who wasn't b/c when you work w/kids you aren't just working w/the kids, if ya know what I mean.

If your son has REAL natural talent and he is compliant, then if you put him in now, he will go far. gl!

As a former actor, I would like to add a cautionary note. Remember that the entertainment business is a business, not an art, and that actors are products, with product life cycles. Once they are at the end of their marketing cycle, they are discarded. There is much more marketing than art going on, and like any corporate business, this one is incredibly cut throat. Just as you would not inject your four year old into a corporate boardroom, remember that you are serving your child up like a cereal to be marketed and sold. A friend of mine is a tv director who was casting a child in a big tv show ("franchise" as it was referred to, not "art"), and he said that the parents were frightening. They were living their dream through their kids, completely naive and unaware that this isn't about talent. If you want to go ahead, go for it but remember not to close your eyes to the reality of this situation, because your four year old will listen to you. Your four year old will not see the manipulation and the discarding and the business element, just the rejection. You will be responsible for your child taking personally something that is simply a "business decision". There is a reason Drew Barrymore is a producer now. It's better to be the one making the decisions than thinking that their talent has anything to do with it.

If he has an ovbious talent, that's great that you are willing to help him.

However, modeling is WORK. He (and you) must be ready for a LOT of rejection, lot of waiting around, wasted time when he could be playing with children and socializing.

I have modeled most of my life, it is a job, you must have a thick skin and accept rejection because you are not what everyone is looking for.

Do NOT and I repeat NEVER EVER pay money to anyone. If an agency likes your child, they seek you out. Reputable agencies will accept a snapshot online of your child. You do not need a professional portfolio.. if you get in the business, you will build one as you go.

Of course, agencies get their cut if you are sent on a job but you pay your travel expenses, etc. Don't pay for classes and empty promises that someone will get a job for your child.

If you do go for it, remember that it is your child, your child is working and all monies he earns needs to go to him. If he does not like it, STOP.

I am not familiar with exact agencies in the LA area, although I have a friend who is signed with a good one and I will ask the name of that agency.

In Dallas, Kim Dawson and the Campbell agencies are good.

My 16 yr old models on occasion and we were in LA for a job that lasted a week and by the end of the week she was done, had it and ready to never model again. That was 4 yrs ago and she is just now thinking of going again. It can be very rewarding but it is hard work.

Good Luck.

I would google for modeling and talent agencies in your area. The top are Elite, Ford, Wilhelmina(sp), from what I can remember in my modeling days. I was a model for Wilhemina in my teens. They at times have an open call audition where you can bring your son, along with a headshot.Sometimes, though you can send in a photo of your son, along with a description of him, and his measurements. If they like you, they usually will do a call back, or interview. Sometimes they will sign you, or want to do a couple of test shots. Once he is signed, they will put him to work. Make sure he has a good amount of patience, can listen and follow orders, and smile on cue. If he has an interest it is so much better, then if he were forced ( like me). They last longer, and find better work that way.

Sounds like fun!!! No advice, but good for you for wanting to nurture his obvious talent!

Hello! I suggest that you get him into classes to help perfect his craft. Let him have fun and be a kid for now and stay away from Hollywood. It really is not a easy place for a kid. Let him audition in the local theater to establish stage presence and get over those kind of nerves. Also, during the ebb and flow of a Hollywood career, having stage experience is a good back up and a way to keep working. Tell him that growing up is a time for fun, education, and getting good at what you love. Then when he is in his late teens, early twenties he can head to Hollywood. This way he has a good sense of self, a say in the direction of his career, and can handle the rejection that is inevitable.
Good luck and all the best,
K.

So glad you asked this question. My son, who is 10, has been saying the same thing to me lately. Just didn't really know where to begin the whole process!! Godd luck to you and your son!!

T.