How to Get Your Child in Show Biz / Modeling

Unfortuately I don't know how, but if/when you find out, will you let me know. I have an 8 yr old that I have been looking to get into modeling and acting. Thanks. ____@____.com

Hi M.,
It's a really tough business and will require a lot of time and energy on your part so you need to think long and hard about it. It sounds glamorous and fun, but the reality can be very different. That said, if you want to do this, there is the potential to make some great money.

Your best bet is to find a Samuel French bookstore (or other "industry" bookstore"). There are three Sam French's in LA if I remember correctly - one on Sunset in Hollywood, one in Studio City and I can't remember where the other is. They will have a book for about $10-15 that lists all the registered agents in Los Angeles and OC. You can go through the list and it will tell you who represents kids/babies. Take a couple of great shots of your baby and have copies made. Write a cover letter to the agent, explaining why you think your baby would be great in commercials/print ads and send it along with the pictures. You could also call before hand and see if they are taking on anyone new - it will save you the price of photocopies and postage if they're not. Wait a little bit after you send the package, then call and see if they received it. If you don't hear back (which you may not, they get hundreds of submissions on a daily basis) you can try again. If/when you call, you could also ask if they have open calls to see new people.

As someone else said, you should NOT have to pay the agent a thing until your baby starts making money (and then it's standard that they get 10% of whatever you make). You may have to get professional photos taken, which can be expensive. A reputable agent will have often have a list of photographers they like but WILL NOT insist that you use one specific photographer (that usually means they're getting kickbacks).

The business of show business is like no other and there are a lot of scams and disreputable people out there. Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. (ie. if someone gushes over your baby and tells you you'll make millions if you sign with them, they're probably lying and want money up front). Agents are busy people and often not terribly personable, but a good one is worth his or her weight in gold.

Also - a word of advice. When you call an agent's office, don't call before 1pm. The morning is when the "breakdowns" come out of everything that the casting directors are trying to find people for that day and it's the time when agents are putting packages together and won't have time to come to the phone. Usually by 1pm, all their submissions are out the door and they're making phone calls etc, so you might actually be able to talk to them.

Good luck!

www.sdmodel.com

this is the best i have found they ask for your own pictures taken from home not anyhting fancy and they let you know right off if they want you or not.

When I lived in LA, a friend of mine told me the same thing about my mixed race little baby. She even offered to be my "agent" as her godson was involved in modeling, and she knew the "ropes". As I looked into it, I decided it wasn't for me(us) and here's why:

1. The money you make is really not anything significant
2. The work is not steady or predictable, you may be called the night before a shoot and need to be on sight at 6:00am the next day - hard to plan your life, and I was working part-time.
3. The shoot was not geared around the schedule of the child. Yes, they have rules about how long the baby "works" but that doesn't count the time that you are hanging out waiting for the shot to be ready, so you could hang out for 3 hours, and just when your baby needs to be fed, spits up or takes a nap, they need to smile pretty for the camera.

It just seemed like a real pain, and my friend said "oh yeah, you get used to it and there are some days that they can't shoot you, because the baby is crying or whatever" so you have spent your whole day preparing for this moment, and then your kid has a melt down and it was all for naught. Her godson was routinely featured in K-Mart circulars, and the like. I guess it might be worth it for some people, but not for me! Good luck with your decision!

Good rule of thumb to remember when looking for and agent or agency... They don't get paid till you do. don't go with ANYONE who wants money from you up front. A good agent will get a % of the gig they get you. as far as what are fair % well I have no idea. But I do know you wait till you SEE money before you give any to your agent!!

just be very careful with modeling agencies i would ask the source directly and i would be the agent of my baby F. vissuet

Never sign with anyone that requires you pay them money!!!! An actual agent will not require $$ from you. The only thing that you may have to pay for yourself is picture's of the child for a portfolio.

Hi My daughter Samantha has been working towards acting for the last 2 1/2 yrs. and yes there are a lot of people out there that will take you for everything I,ve been there. I found a site on the internet and was interested so i called and went to their free seminar. Long story short yes you pay for the classes but she will get your child work in the long run. And we just love her. Here is the information DeVore Talent and Casting 2224 N. Fine Suite 106 Fresno ca 93727 ###-###-####, and the web site is devoretalent.com. Hope this helps you.
S.

Hi, there are sveral modelling agencies in the bay area that work with children. if they take your child they will represent him or her without you paying anything... they will take a fee from the companies that hire your child. try a google search to find out who might be looking for babies. the money can actually be pretty good if you and the child both enjoy the "work".

There's talent agents and talent scouts everywhere. All of the competitions cost money to enter, and are extremely hard training on the children. I entered my daughter the free ones that I did happen to find, but there wasn't much in the way of prizes. She won each competition, and a talent scout approached me, and asked me to set up an appointment. I was watching a show on HBO about children models, and I decided immediately that I was NOT going to put my child through that. During the "training sessions" the small children were in tears, and all were on diets. A 7 year old had fake teeth, while waiting for her adult teeth to come in. I just decided that if it's something she wants to do when she's older, then I will know with great certainty that I didn't put my child through that, it's something that she chose to do on her own.

Dear M.,

That would be fun. Try the online Yellow Pages, I have found a lot of important numbers there throughout my life. Then, call and ask if they have infants as clients. When you talk with them, you can make notes and see if you can check out any of the information they give you. Also, go online to the Better Business Bureau. It may have some information that will help you. ....remember, nothing will be there if no one has complained about their business practices. You need to read the info on the BBB website very carefully.

Maybe you will get no help, maybe so.

Keep asking questions, evaluating and see what happens. Beeeee careful. use your instincts, as Opray says, if you have a tiny doubt, then let it go. or reevaluate. Again, beeeee careful. C. N.

Hi M.,
I don't know where you live but in Modesto they have Hawaiian Tropic Kids contests there about 3 or 4 times a year.. maybe more.. I put my son in when he was a year.. There is money involved, OF COURSE!!!, but I think they started doing scholarships for the winners.. Granted there are a ton of kids that compete and I get so nervous!! If you're interested get on www.htkids.info and it shows all the prices and where they will be for the next contest. -Just FYI, if you do decide to do it enter all the optionals because there are 6 different selections (i believe) and it's $10 per selection or $30 for all 6- atleast it's what it was when I put my son in it! - Oh, and if you or your husband dress like your son they eat that up too!! ex: for the summer one have your husband and baby wear the same color boardshorts or something like that!! -Anyway, Hope that helps a bit!
~M.