Hey, Hollywood, My Child's A Star!

On any corner, in any town, at any time, chances are great you might hear this chant! And chances are, the child does have potential for stardom. The keyword - "Potential." How the potential is "acted" on makes all the difference. And the trick regarding Hollywood is "How do you get there from here?" As in my first post, locating talent searches in your area is critical. Because talent searches may be infrequent, seek agency representation for your child or for yourself. If several agents are accessible, visit as many as possible before signing. Like all other relationships, this one should be a good "fit." An agent should be franchised and demonstrate a positive history. A legitimate agent will never ask for a "signing fee," never require that you hire a particular photographer, never take any money from you for any reason, prior to an actual job. When your child works a paid acting job, ten percent(10%) of the pay is owed to the agent and may be deducted from the check before you receive it. If agents "pass" on representing you or your child, they may invite you to return at a later time. Perhaps they currently represent several red-haired, freckle-faced, five-year-old boys, like your son. At this point, continue to stay abreast of any open auditions, talent searches, etc. Additionally, research acting classes in your area. Determine that training is directed to film acting, rather than stage. Ascertain that separate training is provided for acting in commercials, acting for television, and acting for feature film. Whether you seek instruction for yourself or your child, visit a class before enrolling. Acting class is just like any other commodity; you must do your homework before paying for a block of 20 classes! I'll further address these issues in my next post.

Young Reese Witherspoon

In the summer of 1990, after several years working with friend and associate, Casting Director, Shari Rhodes, I began a three-month stint on Jenny Wingfield's poignant drama, THE MAN IN THE MOON. The film's Louisiana location was no pleasant clime, but it was the location of Reese Witherspoon's amazing feature film debut. And I reference Reese in my opening "advice to actors" post for several reasons. First, Reese was cast from a talent search - not from demanding calls to a casting director from an agent. Why is this important? Many young aspiring actors don't have agents. But, like Reese, they can locate talent searches conducted in or near their hometowns. And Reese's experience proves that attending such searches can be the ticket to stardom. Second, Reese lacked extensive training. She brought to the role of DANI in THE MAN IN THE MOON, her own feelings, those of a young teen girl encountering first love. And she successfully translated those feelings to the penetrating eye of the the camera. Her ability to do this was predominately inherent. When the dallies of MITM reached Los Angeles, the race was on. Why? Because an interesting, relatively inexperienced, fresh young actor caught the attention of jaded L.A. agents eager to sign the next big star - and they were willing to bet the price of a plane ticket to Louisiana, that Reese Witherspoon was the next big star. This is history. And jumping to 2009, could this basic scenario happen to you or to your child? Yes. Because Hollywood only thrives so long as new stars are discovered in much the same manner as was Reese. So, Mom's and aspiring actors - Listen up! Use all resources, i.e. online source, newspaper, word-of-mouth, etc. to locate talent searches. Whether you or your child has an agent may not matter, if you are resourceful. Nor are acting classes the "end to all" pathway to stardom. Before you or your child is a known actor, the most direct pathway is in front of a casting director conducting a talent search to cast a role close to the age and description of you or your child. Think it can't happen? Always Remember Reese! And stay tuned. I'll offer sage and valuable advice in each post.