So your child wants to be a star? But what does it really take? Money? Looks? Tons of time? Not necessarily. Nancy Carson, a children's agent who has worked in the industry for more than twenty-five years and has guided the careers of such celebrities as Britney Spears, Mischa Barton, and even a young Cynthia Nixon, dishes the facts on what it takes to break your child into the entertainment industry.
The first parents' guide to getting kids into the business written by one of the industry's top children's agents, Raising a Star is a complete step-by-step guide that will help parents navigate the murky waters of show business. From how to find the right representative to what producers and directors are really looking for in children today, Nancy Carson offers practical advice and anecdotes culled from her years of experience. Raising a Star is the most candid and informative guide for parents who want to help make their child a star.
" If you're serious, and want to take the time, RAISING A STAR is the book for you. Learn valuable tips on how to find out about auditions, how to groom your children so they don't look overly "perfect," how to avoid the crushing disappointments that come along with a showbiz career, and most of all, how to let natural, if somewhat untrained, talent speak for itself like a microphone turned on and left on a podium unattended. Carson knows whereof she speaks, and her record speaks for itself. She's been discovering, promoting, pampering and revivifying child stars from the 1970s right through the modern period of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and EVERYBODY LOVES CHRIS.'
Showing posts with label child modeling advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child modeling advice. Show all posts
Sunday
Wednesday
Should Your Child Be A Supermodel
Whether to send your child into the world of modeling yet? If that’s the question that’s been chewing up on your brain then here’s the answer…
Before choosing a career for your child, it’s always a better to weigh all the pros and cons of a profession. It becomes all the more important to do so if your child is not mature enough and the profession is such. Modeling involves a lot of situations which sometimes can go out of control if the person involved is oblivious to circumstances. If many older supermodels have had problems handling producers and other people on the set, you cannot expect your child to know one touch from the other.
If you decide to put your child in the world of modeling and media, be there to accompany them. Handle their projects and public relations. Make sure your child is well aware of the events on the set and don’t leave them alone with an unknown person. Always ask the child whether they would be comfortable doing a certain shoot with the clothes and script provided. Sometimes, the subject of the project can become a matter of humiliation for your child at the school. Take care of all the finer aspects so that you do not regret your decision later. The money involved can be overwhelming but do not let that lure you into an undesirable project. Modeling may be a shortcut to fame but more important is to make your child earn it with respect. Read More
Before choosing a career for your child, it’s always a better to weigh all the pros and cons of a profession. It becomes all the more important to do so if your child is not mature enough and the profession is such. Modeling involves a lot of situations which sometimes can go out of control if the person involved is oblivious to circumstances. If many older supermodels have had problems handling producers and other people on the set, you cannot expect your child to know one touch from the other.
If you decide to put your child in the world of modeling and media, be there to accompany them. Handle their projects and public relations. Make sure your child is well aware of the events on the set and don’t leave them alone with an unknown person. Always ask the child whether they would be comfortable doing a certain shoot with the clothes and script provided. Sometimes, the subject of the project can become a matter of humiliation for your child at the school. Take care of all the finer aspects so that you do not regret your decision later. The money involved can be overwhelming but do not let that lure you into an undesirable project. Modeling may be a shortcut to fame but more important is to make your child earn it with respect. Read More
Saturday
Child Modeling Advice to Parents
A mother of LaVonne Joslin gives some solid advice to wannabe models. Here are some of Joslin's tips to parents:
- A parent can help his or her child pursue a modeling career by encouraging the child to follow her dreams, by letting her know it's OK to do so, by believing in her and by having faith in her talents and abilities. Let her go, but monitor her activities.
- Accompany her as she goes to modeling schools, searches, contests and other events, if you decide these are a good idea for her - and if the family budget permits it. I kept close tabs on all of Roshumba's activities, especially when she was first starting out.
- Be alert when you accompany your child on appointments with modeling agents, scouts or photographers. Be on the lookout for any people who seem sleazy, who want you to spend a lot of money, or who make what seem like unrealistic promises.
- If a modeling agency offers to represent your child, read the contract carefully to make sure your child is not signing anything that would tie her life up for longer than a year or two at a time.
- Be alert when you accompany your child on appointments with modeling agents, scouts or photographers. Be on the lookout for any people who seem sleazy, who want you to spend a lot of money, or who make what seem like unrealistic promises.
- If a modeling agency offers to represent your child, read the contract carefully to make sure your child is not signing anything that would tie her life up for longer than a year or two at a time.
- If someone is suggesting that you or your child pay a large sum of money - $500 or $1,000, say - to join the agency, to take pictures or to have their photos posted on a Web site, take heed - this is probably a scam.
Legitimate agencies work on commission and make money by booking models for modeling jobs; they don't make money from collecting large registration fees. Read More
- A parent can help his or her child pursue a modeling career by encouraging the child to follow her dreams, by letting her know it's OK to do so, by believing in her and by having faith in her talents and abilities. Let her go, but monitor her activities.
- Accompany her as she goes to modeling schools, searches, contests and other events, if you decide these are a good idea for her - and if the family budget permits it. I kept close tabs on all of Roshumba's activities, especially when she was first starting out.
- Be alert when you accompany your child on appointments with modeling agents, scouts or photographers. Be on the lookout for any people who seem sleazy, who want you to spend a lot of money, or who make what seem like unrealistic promises.
- If a modeling agency offers to represent your child, read the contract carefully to make sure your child is not signing anything that would tie her life up for longer than a year or two at a time.
- Be alert when you accompany your child on appointments with modeling agents, scouts or photographers. Be on the lookout for any people who seem sleazy, who want you to spend a lot of money, or who make what seem like unrealistic promises.
- If a modeling agency offers to represent your child, read the contract carefully to make sure your child is not signing anything that would tie her life up for longer than a year or two at a time.
- If someone is suggesting that you or your child pay a large sum of money - $500 or $1,000, say - to join the agency, to take pictures or to have their photos posted on a Web site, take heed - this is probably a scam.
Legitimate agencies work on commission and make money by booking models for modeling jobs; they don't make money from collecting large registration fees. Read More
Sunday
child models are often asked to jump a flight to LA for an audition
It helps if you live in areas where photo shoots are prevalent,
LA and New York work. I'm not sure what the equivalent
cities in Canada would be. I live in the San Francisco area,
and child models from here are often asked to jump a flight
to LA for an audition.
Even if you make it through auditions and shooting or
filming, it is possible the pictures or scene will get cut.
After having the whole extended family gather around
the television to watch Malcolm in the Middle, we found
my nephew's scene, which took a week to film, landed
on the cuttting room floor. Read More
LA and New York work. I'm not sure what the equivalent
cities in Canada would be. I live in the San Francisco area,
and child models from here are often asked to jump a flight
to LA for an audition.
Even if you make it through auditions and shooting or
filming, it is possible the pictures or scene will get cut.
After having the whole extended family gather around
the television to watch Malcolm in the Middle, we found
my nephew's scene, which took a week to film, landed
on the cuttting room floor. Read More
Friday
How to Get Your Child Started in Modeling
Do you want to get your child into modeling for print ads, fashion shows and catalogues?
To know everything there is about the field of modeling will fill a book shelf.
Presented here is a basic overview to help educate you on what can be expected when you make that “step” into the field of child modeling.
Modeling for children is a career; it is neither easy nor immediate. You need to prepare yourself and your child.
NOTE: Children that are shy and have to be coaxed to interact naturally with new people don’t usually make good models. Kids should be comfortable in front of the camera. No matter how cute or perfect for modeling your child is, if he or she is shy and freezes up, you may want to reconsider.
When I am casting for a project, I have talent bring me photos, lots of recent photos if they have no experience. In addition to looking for the type or look I need, I use photos tell me if the person is photogenic, if they enjoy being in front of the camera and whether they can be animated and versatile.
You as the parent have to prepare yourself as well. You need to educate yourself since you will be involved in the process every step of the way
..................
Successful child models are outgoing, love the camera and have no problems meeting and working with diverse people and situations.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
1- Talk to your child, make sure that they understand what it takes to be a model and make sure this is something your child wants.
2- Break out your camera and take clear photos of your child, take them over a couple of weeks. Take clear head and shoulder headshots and full body shots. DO NOT take pictures in your living room, bedroom or anywhere the background shows the interior of your home. Take your photos against plain backgrounds.
Consider going to the park or a place where your child enjoys and take shots making sure the background is not cluttered.
Fill the frame of your photo with your child. (The point of these pictures is to take pictures of your child not the scenery.) You can add in a few props such as a basketball for a boy , a girl school books or sporting gear is one idea. Read More
To know everything there is about the field of modeling will fill a book shelf.
Presented here is a basic overview to help educate you on what can be expected when you make that “step” into the field of child modeling.
Modeling for children is a career; it is neither easy nor immediate. You need to prepare yourself and your child.
NOTE: Children that are shy and have to be coaxed to interact naturally with new people don’t usually make good models. Kids should be comfortable in front of the camera. No matter how cute or perfect for modeling your child is, if he or she is shy and freezes up, you may want to reconsider.
When I am casting for a project, I have talent bring me photos, lots of recent photos if they have no experience. In addition to looking for the type or look I need, I use photos tell me if the person is photogenic, if they enjoy being in front of the camera and whether they can be animated and versatile.
You as the parent have to prepare yourself as well. You need to educate yourself since you will be involved in the process every step of the way
..................
Successful child models are outgoing, love the camera and have no problems meeting and working with diverse people and situations.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
1- Talk to your child, make sure that they understand what it takes to be a model and make sure this is something your child wants.
2- Break out your camera and take clear photos of your child, take them over a couple of weeks. Take clear head and shoulder headshots and full body shots. DO NOT take pictures in your living room, bedroom or anywhere the background shows the interior of your home. Take your photos against plain backgrounds.
Consider going to the park or a place where your child enjoys and take shots making sure the background is not cluttered.
Fill the frame of your photo with your child. (The point of these pictures is to take pictures of your child not the scenery.) You can add in a few props such as a basketball for a boy , a girl school books or sporting gear is one idea. Read More
Monday
Never make the child feel as though modeling is something he/she has to do
What got us started is photo contests. You know the kind where you submit a professional, (like Kmart or Sears, nothing to fancy), photo of your child to be judged.
Walmart has one every year. That way your child is seen, but is not smothered. From there we got casted with an agency. He modeled for about 1 1/2 years, and decided he did not like it, so we stopped. That simple.
Never make the child feel as though it is something he/she has to do. My son, even though he was extremely young, (We stopped about six months ago, and he is three today) always knew that if he did not want to have his picture taken that all he had to do was let us know. He's been able to communicate his feeling for 2 years, (I don't want to say "talk"). All the money he made was put in a trust for him, so he will be able to go to college. read more
Walmart has one every year. That way your child is seen, but is not smothered. From there we got casted with an agency. He modeled for about 1 1/2 years, and decided he did not like it, so we stopped. That simple.
Never make the child feel as though it is something he/she has to do. My son, even though he was extremely young, (We stopped about six months ago, and he is three today) always knew that if he did not want to have his picture taken that all he had to do was let us know. He's been able to communicate his feeling for 2 years, (I don't want to say "talk"). All the money he made was put in a trust for him, so he will be able to go to college. read more
Tuesday
If a child is modeling, do they have time to do anything else?
If a child is modeling, do they have time to do anything else? Or does the parent doing the schlepping to auditions, fittings, shoots, etc.
It seems to me that if a child is making good $$ modeling -- and really, why do it for any other reason? -- then there will be no time in life for anything else.
If the child is not making good money, then it's up to the very watchful parent to decide if
all the time siphoned from their own life it worthwhile. I think if I were driving DD or DS around to shoots, I would be bored out of my mind. Or very well read. Or both.
I gotta say, too, that well over half of all kids at age 6-9 months are extremely cute and could
be models. DD had enormous blues eyes, very little hair, a perfectly round head and no teeth at that age and would have looked absolutely adorable in print ads. DS was just as cute. 7 months is a cute age. You can either enjoy it without renumeration, or schlep your kid all around the state/region. And for what? A few bucks?
I would tread very very cautiously. If you do get into this, learn when/how to say "No".
read more
It seems to me that if a child is making good $$ modeling -- and really, why do it for any other reason? -- then there will be no time in life for anything else.
If the child is not making good money, then it's up to the very watchful parent to decide if
all the time siphoned from their own life it worthwhile. I think if I were driving DD or DS around to shoots, I would be bored out of my mind. Or very well read. Or both.
I gotta say, too, that well over half of all kids at age 6-9 months are extremely cute and could
be models. DD had enormous blues eyes, very little hair, a perfectly round head and no teeth at that age and would have looked absolutely adorable in print ads. DS was just as cute. 7 months is a cute age. You can either enjoy it without renumeration, or schlep your kid all around the state/region. And for what? A few bucks?
I would tread very very cautiously. If you do get into this, learn when/how to say "No".
read more
Wednesday
Child modelling?
".....I've always said that I'll only continue to do it until we aren't having fun any more.
In the beginning, when she was 10-12 months old, we got lots of jobs, and she did really well. It was a piece of cake, for both of us. We haven't gotten as many jobs in the past few months, and it seems to be weeks between calls.
She has done some fit modeling for a few companies, which is interesting -- she'll try on 6-8 outfits, while designers see how the clothes fit her. All the while, she's playing with toys or the other child, holding books or blocks, etc. The biggest problem with fit modeling is that it doesn't pay great, and she's not a fan of having her clothes changed 9 times in an hour.
Anyway, like I said, I'm not having her do this to become the next Brooke Shields or Olsen girls, it's just something to do. If she wants to get into acting or modeling later in life, that will be her decision. It's a business. Life is about a lot more than what you look like, so I hope she'll get into something else.
read more
Discover how to get your son or daughter into the modeling business
spending lots of money.
In the beginning, when she was 10-12 months old, we got lots of jobs, and she did really well. It was a piece of cake, for both of us. We haven't gotten as many jobs in the past few months, and it seems to be weeks between calls.
She has done some fit modeling for a few companies, which is interesting -- she'll try on 6-8 outfits, while designers see how the clothes fit her. All the while, she's playing with toys or the other child, holding books or blocks, etc. The biggest problem with fit modeling is that it doesn't pay great, and she's not a fan of having her clothes changed 9 times in an hour.
Anyway, like I said, I'm not having her do this to become the next Brooke Shields or Olsen girls, it's just something to do. If she wants to get into acting or modeling later in life, that will be her decision. It's a business. Life is about a lot more than what you look like, so I hope she'll get into something else.
read more
Discover how to get your son or daughter into the modeling business
spending lots of money.
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