When it comes to protecting their children, parents will do whatever it takes to make sure that everything – their health and their future – remains secure. But, if your child wants to become a model, it can be challenging to discern the good from the bad in the face of flattery and a competitive industry.
To make sure your little one’s journey to reaching his dreams is free of troubles, there are certain things you must avoid at all costs. This article discusses three of the most common things that make modeling difficult for young hopefuls: work pressure, scammers, and bad habits during casting calls.
Work Pressure
Before you can go ahead and invest your time and effort looking for a modeling agency to represent your little one, there’s one thing you must ascertain first: the extent of your child’s dedication to the job.
While he may not see it as work, modeling entails plenty of things that can cause work pressure, such as tight schedules and rejection. Because of this, you must first determine whether modeling is something he is genuinely excited to do.
Remember that your child should never feel pressured into becoming a model. After all, he is only starting to get the hang of how the world works and still needs your guidance and comforting hugs to keep him stress-free.
Scammers: How to Spot Them
In a perfect world, every compliment your child gets is as genuine as it comes. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that there will always be people who will use deception disguised as flattery to take advantage of newbies in the industry.
To help you discern which is which, here are four telltale signs that scammers are targeting your little one:
What you thought was a casting call turned out to be a sales pitch
While there’s nothing wrong about promoting modeling classes and selling headshots, it becomes a bait-and-switch tactic if advertised as a casting call.
Just imagine being told that your child has what it takes to become a model and should attend an audition. You get all excited but later discover that the gathering you attended was actually a sales pitch. That’s a scam.
You are pressured into acting on an offer
Any offer that is time-pressured is a huge red flag in child modeling. Remember: you should be able to check out the company before entrusting them with your money and your child’s personal information. If you aren’t given that chance, walk away.
They guarantee your child will get a gig
Harsh as it may be, there is no such thing as a guaranteed job in modeling. Several factors affect the result of a casting call, not just the way your child looks or acts. So, if an agency attempts to sell that spiel on you, you should look for another company to handle your little one’s career.
They get your child signed on without much fuss
Legitimate agencies are mostly selective about who they sign on. If they appear too eager to sign your child on regardless of suitability or experience, you should think twice, especially if you’re asked to pay for something.
Look for child modeling agencies with good selection criteria. These should be apparent during auditions and casting calls.
Bad Casting Call Habits
Performing well during auditions is one of the best ways to book a modeling job. Skills aside, there are certain practices that you and your child should keep in mind to succeed.
Since it is quite similar to job interviews, you should help your child maintain good standing by avoiding the following practices:
Chewing gum during auditions
While this may seem obvious, plenty of child modeling casting calls still see a lot of kids snapping and chewing their gum. Unless the gum is part of the audition act, you should make sure that your child doesn’t do this in front of a casting director or panel.
Overdone auditions
Your child should only do three things when they enter a casting room. First, greet the casting director and other people inside the room while making eye contact. Second, do as instructed by the casting panel. Third, say “thank you” and bid farewell before exiting the room.
Remember that asking questions about whether his performance was okay or when to expect the results of auditions is a big no-no in casting calls. The directors would reach out to you if they need to.
Making excuses
Your child might make mistakes during auditions. This is natural and is to be expected, especially if it is his first time attending open casting calls. What isn’t acceptable is making excuses.
While it is okay to ask to start over if your little one makes a mistake, you must teach him not to make excuses. Most casting directors prefer someone who will just keep going.
Avoiding eye contact
Eye contact is a crucial part of proper etiquette when auditioning for a modeling or acting job. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that his eyes would stay glued into the casting personnel’s eyes.
Here’s a tip: teach your child to look into people’s eyes when introducing himself and whenever conversing with the casting director.
During casting calls and auditions, parents of child hopefuls are being judged as well. This will let casting directors know whether they can easily work with the talent’s guardian should they decide to take him on.
With that said, remember not to:
- Scold or coach your child during auditions;
- Bring siblings and other people to the audition unless required;
- Force your child to do the casting call when he’s already very tired; and
- Make excuses on behalf of your child.
Launch Your Child’s Modeling Career the Right Way
Launching your child’s modeling career may seem daunting at first. Fortunately, you can do something to ensure that your little one gets the break he deserves without facing such obstacles. Use this article as a guide to avoiding work pressure and scammers and give him a better chance during casting calls.
AUTHOR BIO
Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, the longest running agency specialising in babies, children and teen talent in Australia. Bubblegum Casting works with some of Australia’s biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles.
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