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.