Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Q: Can my child really excel with online acting classes?
A: Yes they can absolutely thrive in the online coaching space, even in this season of virtual learning fatigue due to the pandemic. Our classes remain interactive with screen shares, seated and standing activities, breakout room fun and more tools to keep online learning engaged and high level. Another reason to consider online coaching is the fact that the majority of auditions are still held virtually or via self-taped audition. Face to face contact has lessened in our industry even as building doors have re-opened. There's a skill set to be mastered when it comes to exuding that same great energy through a computer screen that any student planning to audition must master.
Q: How can I tell how well my child does at auditions since I can't go in with them?
A: Unfortunately, you won't truly know how well they performed unless they book it or at least get a callback for a second audition. Parents aren't usually admitted past the doors of the audition room mostly due to possible distractions to your child while auditioning. If your child isn't booking jobs after several auditions you may want to do some mock auditions at home or hire an youth acting coach to better prepare your child for various types of auditions. If your child is booking jobs regularly then no need to worry unless you want to polish their skills further with coaching lessons or acting classes. This is another great benefit to online coaching because you can peek around the corner or be a "fly on the wall" as your child learns to see firsthand their strengths and areas of need.
Q: Do I need professional photos to get my child started?
A: No, you don't need professional photos to begin submitting your child to agencies. However, any snapshots or digital photos you take on your own should still be vibrant with great lighting, free from background distractions and really capture the personality of your young one. Once you join an agency they'll most likely refer you to professional photographers and expect new photos within a specified time-frame to place your child on their website for clients to view. Beware of agencies that mandate a specific photographer with a high fee. They should recommend a list of photographers with no obligation as to which one you choose.
Q: How can I tell a reputable agency from a scam agency?
A: A general rule of thumb is to do an online search by that company name and see what reviews have been posted. You're likely to find another parent or actor/model posting about negative interactions with a scam company to forewarn others. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau or ask a knowledgeable industry professional for feedback on the company. When in doubt, go with your gut, if it seems too good to be true in this industry, it just might be.
Q: How much should I expect to spend to get an agent?
A: $0! That's zero dollars! You should never pay to join an agency, that's across the board for any type of agency. Reputable agencies will likely charge a website maintenance fee, that's normal and should be a reasonable amount. Clients primarily view potential actors/models they want to hire by viewing your photos online. Be cautious of high website fees and push back when an agency ask for fees higher than $150 per year. Even if it's a well-known agency, it does not benefit you to pay outrageous upfront fees whether you're new or experienced in the industry. Beware of new faces packages that agencies may offer for acting classes, photoshoots and other classes. If they believe your child is marketable, they should be willing to move forward with signing your child without that new faces package.
Q: Do I have to sign a contract to work with an agency?
A: It is industry standard that most agencies will have you sign some sort of contract. It may be an exclusive contract to work with them solely for a specified period of time in a specified market. Another option would be a non-exclusive contract stating that your child can work with other agencies and based on a first call, first serve basis you pay your commission to the agency who calls you first for the audition. Other relevant details will be listed in either contract like how payments work and talent expectations. Always read thoroughly and don't be afraid to question any parts that aren't clear. Most child agencies will offer an exclusive contract for one (1) year and that's a good time-frame. Beware of agencies offering longer contracts for new talent, your child needs to gain some experience before locking in for a long period of time with one agency.
Q: How often should we expect to travel?
A: That depends on where you live, what areas your agency covers, how flexible your schedule is and, most important, it depends on what you communicate to your agency about your travel abilities in your initial meeting. Be honest about your schedule upfront and communicate with them if it changes. Some agencies will be flexible with traveling for out of state talent if you have great communication. A great tool to make your child more marketable to an out of state agency is to master self taped auditions. You may be able to request auditioning from home as a bargaining tool if you live more than two hours away from the agency.
Q: Are there any laws that protect my child and I or any laws that we should know about?
A: Yes there are various State Laws you must follow as the guardian of a young performer to include a work permit, trust account, a responsible person present on set and more. In terms of protection, there are regulations that protect union actors or actors working on union projects but non union projects and modeling aren't governed by any unions. However, most non-union productions are professional and treat their talent with the same level of respect as a union production. You can do a Google search on child labor laws for your state to better understand the minimum requirements.
Q: What is the union and should my child join?
A: The more commonly referred to union is SAG-AFTRA for Television/Film projects. There are also Theatrical Unions which you can explore by doing online research. The best way to educate yourself on making any union decisions is to go straight to the source. Each union's website is a great start and you'll get the correct information the first time instead of being misinformed by hearsay. Union fees can be pricey for new members so educate yourself thoroughly and choose wisely. Most important is to know what type of work can force you into the union before you're ready. Check the requirements and compare the work your child has currently booked to know if their union eligible. Joining the union is a personal, case by case, decision. Don't assume that your child must join the union to be successful or make money in the industry. It has it's pros and cons that you have to consider. Here's a link to the SAG-AFTRA union's FAQ page.
Q: How much can we expect to get paid?
A: Payment amounts vary based on client budgets, union or non-union projects, agency minimum rates and more. You should always be given full details when invited for an audition so you'll know the payment amount and other details before you accept the audition and certainly before you accept the booking. Other details include type of project, location, shoot date, and duration of shoot. Industry standard for most payments is 30-90 days from project date unless it is a union project. The specific terms should be stated in your agency contract when you first join.
Drop your questions below so we can continue to help others with Frequently Asked Questions.
A: Yes they can absolutely thrive in the online coaching space, even in this season of virtual learning fatigue due to the pandemic. Our classes remain interactive with screen shares, seated and standing activities, breakout room fun and more tools to keep online learning engaged and high level. Another reason to consider online coaching is the fact that the majority of auditions are still held virtually or via self-taped audition. Face to face contact has lessened in our industry even as building doors have re-opened. There's a skill set to be mastered when it comes to exuding that same great energy through a computer screen that any student planning to audition must master.
Q: How can I tell how well my child does at auditions since I can't go in with them?
A: Unfortunately, you won't truly know how well they performed unless they book it or at least get a callback for a second audition. Parents aren't usually admitted past the doors of the audition room mostly due to possible distractions to your child while auditioning. If your child isn't booking jobs after several auditions you may want to do some mock auditions at home or hire an youth acting coach to better prepare your child for various types of auditions. If your child is booking jobs regularly then no need to worry unless you want to polish their skills further with coaching lessons or acting classes. This is another great benefit to online coaching because you can peek around the corner or be a "fly on the wall" as your child learns to see firsthand their strengths and areas of need.
Q: Do I need professional photos to get my child started?
A: No, you don't need professional photos to begin submitting your child to agencies. However, any snapshots or digital photos you take on your own should still be vibrant with great lighting, free from background distractions and really capture the personality of your young one. Once you join an agency they'll most likely refer you to professional photographers and expect new photos within a specified time-frame to place your child on their website for clients to view. Beware of agencies that mandate a specific photographer with a high fee. They should recommend a list of photographers with no obligation as to which one you choose.
Q: How can I tell a reputable agency from a scam agency?
A: A general rule of thumb is to do an online search by that company name and see what reviews have been posted. You're likely to find another parent or actor/model posting about negative interactions with a scam company to forewarn others. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau or ask a knowledgeable industry professional for feedback on the company. When in doubt, go with your gut, if it seems too good to be true in this industry, it just might be.
Q: How much should I expect to spend to get an agent?
A: $0! That's zero dollars! You should never pay to join an agency, that's across the board for any type of agency. Reputable agencies will likely charge a website maintenance fee, that's normal and should be a reasonable amount. Clients primarily view potential actors/models they want to hire by viewing your photos online. Be cautious of high website fees and push back when an agency ask for fees higher than $150 per year. Even if it's a well-known agency, it does not benefit you to pay outrageous upfront fees whether you're new or experienced in the industry. Beware of new faces packages that agencies may offer for acting classes, photoshoots and other classes. If they believe your child is marketable, they should be willing to move forward with signing your child without that new faces package.
Q: Do I have to sign a contract to work with an agency?
A: It is industry standard that most agencies will have you sign some sort of contract. It may be an exclusive contract to work with them solely for a specified period of time in a specified market. Another option would be a non-exclusive contract stating that your child can work with other agencies and based on a first call, first serve basis you pay your commission to the agency who calls you first for the audition. Other relevant details will be listed in either contract like how payments work and talent expectations. Always read thoroughly and don't be afraid to question any parts that aren't clear. Most child agencies will offer an exclusive contract for one (1) year and that's a good time-frame. Beware of agencies offering longer contracts for new talent, your child needs to gain some experience before locking in for a long period of time with one agency.
Q: How often should we expect to travel?
A: That depends on where you live, what areas your agency covers, how flexible your schedule is and, most important, it depends on what you communicate to your agency about your travel abilities in your initial meeting. Be honest about your schedule upfront and communicate with them if it changes. Some agencies will be flexible with traveling for out of state talent if you have great communication. A great tool to make your child more marketable to an out of state agency is to master self taped auditions. You may be able to request auditioning from home as a bargaining tool if you live more than two hours away from the agency.
Q: Are there any laws that protect my child and I or any laws that we should know about?
A: Yes there are various State Laws you must follow as the guardian of a young performer to include a work permit, trust account, a responsible person present on set and more. In terms of protection, there are regulations that protect union actors or actors working on union projects but non union projects and modeling aren't governed by any unions. However, most non-union productions are professional and treat their talent with the same level of respect as a union production. You can do a Google search on child labor laws for your state to better understand the minimum requirements.
Q: What is the union and should my child join?
A: The more commonly referred to union is SAG-AFTRA for Television/Film projects. There are also Theatrical Unions which you can explore by doing online research. The best way to educate yourself on making any union decisions is to go straight to the source. Each union's website is a great start and you'll get the correct information the first time instead of being misinformed by hearsay. Union fees can be pricey for new members so educate yourself thoroughly and choose wisely. Most important is to know what type of work can force you into the union before you're ready. Check the requirements and compare the work your child has currently booked to know if their union eligible. Joining the union is a personal, case by case, decision. Don't assume that your child must join the union to be successful or make money in the industry. It has it's pros and cons that you have to consider. Here's a link to the SAG-AFTRA union's FAQ page.
Q: How much can we expect to get paid?
A: Payment amounts vary based on client budgets, union or non-union projects, agency minimum rates and more. You should always be given full details when invited for an audition so you'll know the payment amount and other details before you accept the audition and certainly before you accept the booking. Other details include type of project, location, shoot date, and duration of shoot. Industry standard for most payments is 30-90 days from project date unless it is a union project. The specific terms should be stated in your agency contract when you first join.
Drop your questions below so we can continue to help others with Frequently Asked Questions.