Complete guide to get the kids into acting and modeling?

Do you have a kid that has talent and interested in modeling and acting? You do not know where to go and how to start? This article is a guide how to get the kids into acting and modeling industry. If you are ready, I will help you how to take the first steps and see if this is a right industry for you? There are several steps need to be taken for getting kids into Acting and Modeling world.

Attention! Parents! if you have doubts and want to know more about what you are signing up for, We have you covered. Before we dig in, Check out my post on “The good, The Bad, and The Ugly” to see our experience in kids acting and kids modeling and then you decide.
Now, let’s talk about the steps you need to take to get into Acting and Modeling industry.

You need Portfolio so the agencies and job posters can find you. Your portfolio works like resume.

Do you have your headshot ready to use? or I guess, you don’t even know anything about it!!! Having a good headshot is a must if you want to apply for acting roles. In fact, Headshot is the actor’s number one marketing tool. I do not mean to go to the most expensive photographer in town, but just hire someone who knows the requirements for a Professional headshot. Kids! You need to update your headshots as often as your look changes. I recommend once a year before 8 years old and once every two year after that.

You can find some of my pictures since I started my career in entertainment industry here.

World has been changed and nowadays online portfolio is much more effective than paper portfolio. You need to create your online portfolio, but where? Two most important places for online portfolio are: www.castinnetworks.com, and www.actorsaccess.com

Castin Networks is the most popular and source to all the entertainment industry. In the other hands, Actors access is acting source only in which you see all the available jobs in the industry.

If you work with an agency, they will create an online portfolio on their websites as well.
I highly recommend social media accounts as well as these online profiles work as some kind of indirect online portfolio, such as Instagram, however keep it professional, clean and consistent in regards to content.

Working with an agency is optional . I will lay out some points and you decide which one is best for your case.
Did you know that, “You can do everything that an agency will offer!!”, that’s right!

You will have access to all job advertisement, that agency has through www.castinnetworks.com You can submit your profile for any of them, exactly like what agency does. You just need to pay small fee for each submission, so not working with an agency is not a deal breaker. It will save you some money, as agencies charge you for some of their services and of course 10-20% of each booked job. Keep in mind you pay agency annual fee to maintain your portfolio in their system.

There are some advantages in working with an agency. Example of advantages are
1- Unlimited submission for jobs
2- Some jobs are available to some reputable agencies.
Although the number of these cases are a few.
3- Another advantage is their guidance and knowledge of industry and some tips and tricks they offer. They can help on both booking a job and negotiate the financial terms.

If you prefer to work with an agency, I highly recommend to select a well known and reputable one. DO NOT TRUST EVERYONE WITH YOUR KIDOS. It’s key to be aware of those frauds who take advantage of your passion and interest. Do your research first. Warning: Remember that agencies mostly care for themselves. NEVER EVER sign an agreement with an agency with any time frame. These contracts would limit you if you are not happy with their performance.

If you are not living in hub centers like New York or Los Angeles, I highly recommend you to start working with a local agencies and test the market before signing up with agencies in major cities.
Check out my post on “The good, The Bad, and The Ugly” to see the reason.

I highly recommend to follow the audition/casting instruction but some of the rules of thumb are:
1- Simple and solid color outfit, definitely not strips,
2- Not all white or black,
3- No pictures or graphics on it.
4- No use of any jewelry or any accessories,
5- Healthy skin and lips
6- No make up or Hair up-do
7- Last but not least, be yourself and show your personality.

In order to get booked for a job, You need to MASTER your Slate. The “FIRST 5 SECONDS OF YOUR SLATE IS CRITICAL”. It only takes 5 seconds to make an impression. If they like the first 5 second of your opening slate, they are more likely to give you a chance and continue watching the rest of the audition, but if you are the best performer in the world and they don’t like your first few seconds of your slate, “YOU WON’T BE SEEN”.

You can find some of my pictures since I started my career in entertainment industry here.

Have any questions? Please leave a comment below!.