My DD is now approaching a year with her agency (in major market) and she has only been on three go-sees - two last fall and one last week - that is it, no holds, no bookings.  We recently had her professional compcards done hoping that will make a difference.  I have been told she is being submitted, but how do I know how often or why she is not being requested to be seen?  She is gorgeous, has an amazing set of eyes and photographs beautifully - I just don't get why no interest.  I have great communication with her agent, she is really nice and I trust that she has her in her best interest.  It is a challenge to understand why this summer did not bring any work.  Does anyone have similar issues with their children while starting out with modeling?

Unfortunately, there are dozens of qualified kids for each single job out there. Without professional experience, it seems it's harder to get work. It's like a catch 22, you need previous work to get work. I'm just a parent, not a professional, this is just what I have seen first hand. I would recommend you start getting her work from a dependable casting site. I don't know where you are from but places like LACasting or SFCasting are a good place to start. Sites like Explore Talent have dozens of nonpaid castings for kids that could help get her foot in the door for paid work, I know a little trick with Explore Talent that can really cut down the cost of joining, you will end up only paying @ $8 a month. Let me know if you are interrested. Sometimes you have to apply for all those non paid jobs to get experience and build your resume up.

Hi, I am a parent of 3 children  who act and model. My experience so far between CA and AZ is very similar to your previous reply. My children (2 of them have agents) go on any and all non paying jobs as possible. They also are constantly in some kind of modeling or acting class. The non paying jobs help with confidence and show your commitment to what you are trying to achieve. If they get payed great they still go on non paying jobs all the time and it really helps them for when they go on an audition for a paying job. This business is very time consuming and alot of patience is needed. It can be very hard sometimes i do understand. As a parent my advice is to ask your agent for resources for local mall fashion shows or local retail stores or botiques that may be having a fashion show or want their clothes modeld. These non paying jobs can still be put on a resume. Hang in there your child is beautiful and since you have a good relationship with her agent  maybe he/she can assist you in this area. I hope some of this helped you.

Good Luck!!!

Melissa Cosner

Hi Dana,

I just wanted to chime in a little about the state of the industry over this past year.  The WGA strike and the threatened SAG walkout has slowed things down to a grind in theatrical production.  That coupled with a slowing economy has produced the slowest year we have had in more than a decade.  Print Photography is also being affected. There are simply fewer available jobs and the competition for them is extreme.

Do NOT take it personally. You can be certain that your agent has simply not been getting as many casting calls as in previous years.  Just keep active in classes and stay in touch with your representatives.  Hopefully things will pick up a little this fall . . .if not, we may not see much improvement until next year.

This will turn around in time. It always does.

Thank you for some great information - I know this business requires a great amount of patience and understanding.  I am hoping that something will come someday and she will then be off an running.  I have looked into the non paying work, but Chicago doesn't seem to have a lot right now.  I did find her a student film that she did in April, she did a great job considering she had no experience.  The film was selected for the film festival at Columbia College - so who knows what can come of that experience.  It was fun and exciting and I hope there will be more opportunities like that one.  She did attend a youth theatre camp this summer and loved it.  I hope to do more of that also, but they really don't start classes in our area until the age of 6.  I am currently looking into some group singing lessons for her ages as well.  I truly appreciate the responses, any help is good to hear.  As for the explore talent site - is it legit?  If you would like to e-mail me about it, I can be reached at drc101402@comcast.net - thanks!   

Hi again,

 Just wanted to share with you some advice on participation in Student Films which we compiled for a past newsletter.  Talent Agent Carol Lynn Sher (and CIF Advisor Board Member) strongly recommends Student Films because they sometimes become film festival darlings and have helped to launch actor careers.   Cut and paste this link into your browser to read more, or click "Archive" and "Student Films" from any Newsletter.

Click Here

 There is also great info under the "Casting Tab" above.  Select Student Films.

All the best,

Toni Casala 

Hi! Dana,

I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in this. My daughter has been with a local agent for almost 2 years and my daughter has only had 3 auditions. I know how you feel. I am going to look into other agent representation and I try to submit my daughter on my own as much as possible and I am going to look into the student film opportunities as much as possible. I will keep you and your daughter in my thoughts and prayers, I seem to be doing that alot lately regarding direction to go with Dominique. Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous and does have amazing eyes!! Something will happen for her.

Hi Dana,

Your daughter is so beautiful. I felt like you, my daughter was not getting much of anything and she auditioned frequently when we could find them. 

However, I kept trying and recently found a director interested in her for his feature film just off her looks, if her acting skills were there, he said she would get the lead. I told other directors and her agents this, and guess what?

Besides giving a great audition performance, everyone took interested in her - why? Because someone else wanted her too. It seems the more busy you are, the more work you will get.

Within this month, she has 2 principle roles in short films, 2 more short films interested in auditioning her. She is filming a Commercial in Philly this week and has 2 Commercial callbacks in NY this week, and lastly she got a part in the full-length Feature film shooting later this fall. - Whew! All at once!

The short films are not paid, however I really feel they do a lot of good on your resume (these are all film festival targeted, a big plus). I feel our daughter has jumped over a big hurdle and is now able to run to the next one a little easier then before.

So hang in there, it just takes time, like everyone has been saying.  Good Luck to you guys!

Also I have used Explore Talent for auditions for my daughter and they have all been legit so far, so I continue to look at their listings.

Vallerie

Thanks again for the encouragement and kind words - and also for sharing stories on your children's success.  I felt that last year was going to be a good year to get started since she was still in preschool, but it was slow and our schedule was not effected in any way.  She will now start full day K, so I don't really know what will happen if there are opportunities for her - I will worry about it if it happens.  Good luck to you all and thanks again! 

Hi Dana,

Your daughter is stunning.  I just read that she is in kindergarten.  Her photograph read older.  Maybe you should evaluate her pictures.  Something a simple as pictures can make a big difference in the amount of calls that you get.  A nice simple picture in maybe braids or a pony tail might really help.

Good Luck,

Lorena

www.littlereddoorkids.com

Thank you - and yes, I agree she looks older in this photo.  Her agency did not select this one for her new compcard, and it is most likely because she does look older.  We ended up doing two shoots because the agency requested a partial reshoot.  Since there were a few months in between the shoots, and also the fact that I am growing her bangs out - she looks different in each shoot.  The photos they selected do give her a variety of shots which show her personality and age well, and included cute hair styles.  I posted this picture because it is my favorite - her eyes are that beautiful (thanks to dad).  It will be interesting to see if the new compcards make a difference. 

I just wanted to share that my daughter did indeed book her first job - a  big fashion show in Chicago at the end of the month!  We are very excited and know it will be fun!  Thanks again for the advice, encouragement and good wishes!  If anyone has anything to share about an experience with a fashion show, I would love to know, thanks! 

Congrats to you!!! I hope she has a blast. That is what it is really about. We, the parents, take it so seriously at least I get too serious about it sometimes and for them it's just another way to have fun and dress up in cool clothes! Best of luck !

I have had simular problems with my daughter when she was younger. She looked so much older than her age. So I have to be careful when geting her headshots done. She does not wear any make up at all for the pics because  she photographs much older. If you look at her page you can see the didderence between regular photography make up (the pic of her in the pink and black skirt)and the rest with out. This plays a huge part in the casting process because they are looking for a child that LOOKS 5. As frusterating as this can be it will bennifit her in the future because she will always look younger than her age in her early adult years and beyond. I have no doubt that your daughter is going to have a career. She is only 5 and she has the whole world ahead of her. My daughter started when she was five and she is doing great! Hard work on your part and on hers will equal success! ~~~~caio

 Michelle (Agency Director)

www.puddletowntalent.com

Thank you for the encouragement, I have learned so much from various boards and similar situations.  My daughter had her first job over the weekend at the fashion show and she had an absolute blast, loved it and wants to do more!  Seeing her smile and be confident on the runway showed me that she loves what she is doing, and is capable of handling the pressure of performing in front of large groups.  It was a great experience and hope there are more like them in the future.