(TIPS ON GETTING BABY STARTED AT THE BOTTOM)


Thank-You Anne Oakes for compiling this info from various internet sources


As a parent are you up to this?? It is alot of hard work and takes up
alot of your time. You need a very flexible schedule. Parents do 99% of
the work.
Audition calls can come in the morning for an afternoon audition. If
you turn them down they will move on to someone else. This business is not
for everyone, it is not all fun and games and you as a parent must be
organized. You must always be ready at a moments notice and always be
on set with your child. Your child and YOU must be able to deal with the
fact you don't get every job you go for. The agent may call five times
a week or once in awhile. It all depends on the age of your child and
what the market is looking for.
The child must be ready to meet new faces. If you have a toddler that
cries whenever they see a new face, forget it for now. Your child has to
be outgoing and comfortable with all new faces. A child should really
be old enough to understand this is not playtime or a game but a job. Age
4-6 is an ideal starting age, depending on the child's personality,
availability, talent, and of course, luck.
The modeling and acting industries have taken quite a beating lately
with the prevalence of disreputable agencies. These agencies claim to
be part of the legitimate industry but are really in business to defraud
thousands of people every year out of millions of dollars. Their
methods include bogus guarantees of work, high upfront registration
fees,contracts requiring clients to purchase their services such as
photos, internet pages and acting classes all at inflated prices. Legit
agents follow a code of ethics. It is very important for parents to
investigate agencies before signing on the dotted line.
How do I find a reputable agent for my child??? Research, research and
then more research. Individual agents are not allowed to advertise.
Starting parents need to understand there is policing bodies in the
industry to help. Scam artists will always prey on the dreams of the
uninformed. So get informed by doing your research.
Ask questions of the unions: ACTRA http://www.actra.com/ (which is the
Alliance of Canadian Cinema Television and Radio Artists)
A.M.I.S. This is a modeling site for people in Ontario
http://www.amisontario.com
Ask questions of other parents and even casting directors.
Interview the agents, use your common sense. If you don't ask questions
and you pay upfront and enroll your kid's in this agency's classes you
will get burnt. You can contact our local ACTRA office for a list of
reputable agents in your area.
Another great web site that will help you with any questions you have
is http://www.canadianactor.com Here you will also find a kidz in the biz
board.


Once you have your list of reputable agents you can submit to the child
agencies. When submitting you need
1. A letter requesting representation (cover letter)
2. Photographs of your child (do not get professional head shots to
submit to agents)
3. A self-addressed envelope.


The letter should be business like and to the point. Include your name
address, phone number (all) Your child's name,height, weight, age,
hobbies, sports, interests and of course anything related to the
entertainment business like dance, music, plays or theater.


The photos you submit should be free from bows or hats and a full face
view with the face taking up 80% of the frame. A full body shot is a nice idea too.
Agents are very busy people and it may take awhile before they get back
to you. You could follow up in a week or so to see if they received
your child's package and if you could set up and interview time for them to
meet your child.
Please remember legit agents do not charge a fee to be on their roster.
You may pay a small yearly administration fee.
Once you decide on an agent then you wait for the call to come for an
audition.
This business is such a gamble of time and ego. There is a great deal
to consider. It can be a life altering path for your child and family.
Children must be allowed to live a child's life. Don't be star struck,
don't forget to be a parent and protect your child and this industry
can be a magical and very rewarding to the child and parents.


GETTING BABY STARTED.........


To be a success in this business is to be educated about it so that you
may avoid any pitfalls
that may arise on the way.


These are some questions that parents frequently ask.
Q. Do I need a professional portfolio for my baby?


A. No you don't. Babies change so frequently that you will need new
pictures approximately every three to four months.
Therefore you should be able to use regular snapshots.


Q. Does my baby need to have any special training?


A. No. Babies are at their best when they do what comes natural to
them. Smiling, laughing and looking cute in a diaper. That is
usually all that a casting director will want to see your baby do
anyway. No class is necessary for that.


Q. What makes a baby marketable?


A. Of course cute and happy babies get the jobs, however, casting
directors want to hire a baby that is easy to work with. You
may have an adorable baby but if she does not respond well to new
people, she/he will not do well at an audition and probably
won't get the job.


Q. How often will my baby go on auditions and are there any guarantees?


A. Nobody can forcast when your baby will be selected to be seen by a
casting director. However, you may hear from your babies agent a
few times in one month, then not hear from them for two months! That is
the way this business is. Your baby will be called to go
for an audition when a casting director is casting a project that has a
need for your babies type (age, hair color, skin color, etc.)
No one can honestly guarantee that your baby will work. Only the
casting director has the authority to hire a baby for a project.
Your agent can only get your baby's foot in the door for an audition.
After that it's out of their hands.


Q. What if my baby gets called in for an audition during their nap
time?


A. This could very well happen. It is something we as moms all must
manage from time to time. Casting directors can not
possibly cater to every babies nap time! You do the best you can at
making your baby happy at the time of the audition and
that's all you can do. Remember, all the other babies who were selected
to be seen have the same problem. Also remember all the babies who were NOT selected to be seen who would LOVE the chance
to be called in by the casting director.


Q. What is the earning potential for my baby?


A. Babies have earned as little as and as much as ,000.
Commercials are big business and the residuals is where
the money really adds up.


This is a competitive business. There are a lot of cute babies out
there. This is not a business you can take too seriously. Just
have fun with it and hope that your baby is having a good day when you
go for an audition!
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THANKS