Some of the famous actors today began their journey in acting when they were just kids. From Emma Stone to Ryan Gosling, there are many examples to give. They started by acting in small gigs. Today, parents of talented kids want to know the process behind how to become an actor.
Well, a lot of hard work, training, and practice are required throughout the process. You also need to hire an agent who is constantly on the hunt to get the best roles for your kids.
How Can My Child Become A Child Actor?
Let’s know the right way for your child to climb the ladder to become a successful child actor:
1. Create a personalized talent profile for your child.
Create a professional profile for your child that includes audio clips, videos, photos, training videos, acting credits, as well as other skills to be discovered by directors, casting directors, and others.
2. Submit to casting calls.
Type the right location, age range, and other details on the internet t find the right casting calls.
3. Schedule auditions.
After sending the submissions to the media firm, get in touch with filmmakers and directors to book a job, ask questions, or schedule auditions.
4. Choose your child’s audition materials.
Keep all the must-have materials along with extra options related to the auditions ready.
5. Research agents and managers.
Go to a casting company’s site and find contact details about the agents and managers who represent acting schools, or coach kids.
Learn To Become: Actor With No Experience
Can My Child become a Child actor with no experience?
Yes, your kid can become an actor even if he or she has zero prior experience. In fact, it is easy for kids to get acting gigs with short resumes in every entertainment industry. Once your child gains more experience and has credits in his pocket, the better chances are of getting a big role.
While they are getting roles in acting gigs, make sure to also enroll them in a workshop or group class. If possible, try to give them formal training or education to become successful child actors. Here are four main things you can do to make them skilled child actors:
1. Build a foundation by enrolling your child in weekly group classes to make them grow as an actor. This is also the best way for them to make new friends, get disciplined, and build listening and speaking skills.
2. You can find a lot of workshops for your child including musical theater boot camps as well as auditions intensives to help your child become a better performer
3. If your child needs more training in acting, then hire a private coach who will give undivided attention to your child to learn the right techniques.
4. Summer programs are another fun way to help your child learn more and develop confidence.
How do I find auditions and casting calls for Child?
You can find a lot of auditions and casting calls on online websites and offline through media agents. Once your child has learned all the acting styles and skills, the agent will link you up with a casting director to get bigger roles in their TV shows or films.
From web series to high-budget Hollywood movies, your child will be working along with many successful actors. Let’s find out how to find auditions and casting calls for your kid:
1. Create the best portfolio for your child.
2. Send their up-to-date resumes to companies who are finding child actors for their upcoming movies or TV shows.
3. If you know someone who belongs to the acting field, then ask them for some assistance.
How do I prepare my child for an acting audition?
For TV or film auditions, a child will be asked to read and memorize a few pages of the scripts. On the other hand, the child needs to pass several rounds for theater auditions that include reading lines, dancing, as well as singing. Here is what you can expect in these kinds of auditions:
1. Theater
In theater, two types of auditions take place:
Open calls:
In the open call auditions, the performers are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. This does not require an appointment. The child actors will also be asked to sing in the musical round. In the next round, they will be asked to dance. If your child gets a callback, they are told to act in front of a production team.
Agent appointments:
Here the child will be sent the audition material before the auditions. Then, they will be asked to be present for the auditions as per the time slot given to them.
2. Film and television
Here the auditioning work is mostly done by agents and managers for production houses who have bigger projects in their pockets. The child is given pages or sides from the scripts to memorize them. Lastly, they have to tape their auditions.
3. Commercials
For commercials, the child is asked to perform a short dialogue which will be used in the video. If they nail the audition, then they are the lead stars of that commercial.
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What are the upsides (and downsides) of being a child actor?
Every industry has an upside and a downside. So here are some pros and cons of becoming a child actor:
Pros
1. Memorization skills
The child becomes a professional in memorizing from a very young age.
2. Public speaking experience
The child becomes excellent whenever he or she gives a public speech.
3. A solid work ethic
The child actor becomes responsible and a multitasker from a very young age.
4. Poise
The kids can talk like a grown-up while talking to adults.
5. Adaptability
Kids can adapt to any environment and work during tight schedules.
Cons
1. Intoxication by fame and fortune
Sometimes, a child actor can become a confused or troubled person as he or she becomes a teenager or adult.
2. Childhood is a golden time
Kids lose their special moments and do not get time to enjoy themselves like other kids.
3. Kids have busy schedules
When they are working on a project, their schedule becomes quite hectic and busy.
What do casting directors look for in child actors?
The director or casting director has specific needs that should suit the character of the film or TV series. Here are some major things they look for when they audition for child actors.
1. Naturalness:
When your child is acting it should not look fake but more realistic.
2. Personality:
Your child does not have to tone down his personality. In fact, the casting director would love to see the fun side of your child and select him for the role.
3. Professionalism:
The casting director also looks for a child actor who is not only fun but also behaves professionally on the set.
4. Well-rounded:
If your kid has qualities like politeness, calmness, and bringing positive vibes on the set, then he or she has a major advantage.
5. Training:
Personality and a winning look are not everything a casting director wants. He also needs a well-trained child actor who is ready for all sorts of acting challenges.
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How much does it cost to be a child actor?
The average cost to make your child a successful actor is around $25,000 to 36,000 per year. Here is the breakdown of the costs related to a child actor’s career.
1. Training:
Workshops, group classes, and private coaching can range between $4,000 and $8,000 per year. The vocal lessons can cost around $5,000 per year for singing. Lastly, the recitals, dance lessons, and resume building cost around $3,000 per year.
2. Portfolio:
Professional headshots can range between $100 to $375 per shoot and must be updated every once a year. Moreover, self-taping for auctions can cost up to $2,000.
3. Transportation and living expenses:
If the family is living in a city like New York, then the charge for each apartment can cost up to $3,500 per month. Besides, the overall commuting, gas, E-ZPass fees, parking, and car maintenance can cost up to $10,000.
4. Childcare:
If you have more than one kid, you will have to look for their needs as well or hire a babysitter.
5. Schooling:
In education, the schooling and homeschooling fees of the child can range from $4,000 and $35,000 per year, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does my child need an acting agent or manager?
If your kid is working in a smaller production house, then she or he does not need a manager or agent. However, if you want them to be a part of higher-level productions, then you will need professional assistance which means finding an acting coach, manager, or agent.
A parent can also play the role of an agent if they have gone through the complex, expensive, and elaborate process to get an agent’s license. For this, they should also have complex contract negotiation skills and legal knowledge.
Q2. What is a good age to start acting?
To be honest, there is no age bar to start acting because some actors become actors from their infancy period too. But if you want your kids to act in front of cameras and then 10 is the right age for them. As they reach this age, they tend to become more disciplined and can easily rehearse their lines.
Kids in this age group mostly play younger roles and are given easy dialogues. If they step into the Bollywood industry at a young age and are given proper education, then they might become successful actors in the future.
Q3. How many hours do child actors work?
According to recent studies, child actors below the age of 15 work between six to 12 hours a day. They hardly have 2-3 scenes on the set but they should be present on the set until their scene comes.
If a kid’s age is between six months to 7 years, then their time should not exceed more than 20 minutes to 2 hours. The kids have no maximum limit to work but their working time should not exceed more than 20 to 40 hours in a week.
Q4. Do child actors need parents on set?
Yes. If a child is under the age of 16, they need a guardian to be present with them to protect their child. They can also appoint a person to look after their kids on the set.
The guardians are given a particular place to sit on the set while their child is performing. As per the law, a child’s parent should always be present on the set within the sight and sound of their kid. However, you are expected to maintain silence as it can cause hindrance to the scene.