jeff@dsi1.UUCP (Jeff Armstrong) (01/06/86)
I have recently begun thinking about the prospects of getting my kid(s) -
two boys, 6 and 3 - into commercials. You know, acting in, earning money, etc.
However, I am not a particularly pushy parent and don't really have a need
for this to occur. Just that I have seen enough commercials to be convinced
that my kids could succeed at this if they so desired. The older one has
expressed an interest.
However, I know nothing about the business and thus this message:
Has anyone out there had any experience in this? What are the pitfalls,
the benefits, etc. Whats the best way to get started? How would a parent
best judge an agency or "talent scout" (whatever they may be called)? Are
there opportunities in a local area (I am in the D.C. area) or is it necessary
to be in New York/LA?
I am looking for specific or general information - but actual
information as opposed to opinions or heresay. I will be glad tu summarize
the results and post them if there is an interest.
--
Jeff Armstrong (jeff@dsi2.UUCP)
ARPA: dsi1!dsi2!jeff@seismo.arpa
UUCP: ..!{seismo, rlgvax, prometheus}!dsi1!dsi2!jeff
USPS: DSI, 2361 S. Jefferson Davis Hwy., St. PL906, Arlington VA 22202tw8023@pyuxii.UUCP (T Wheeler) (01/08/86)
Unfortunatly, the best way to get your kids into commercials is to either work for an ad agency yourself, or be related to someone who works for an agency. The so-called "talent scouts" are 99% rip-off. You pay them. My advice is to stay away from any outfit offering to set your kids up in commercials. You should remember that there are literally millions of cute kids out there. Of the millions, there has to be a million or two who are also talented. The agencies don't have to go too far afield to find kids to use in commercials. They normally use kids from within their own circles. There are several kids in our town who do commercials. Every one of them has a connection in the business. Another point is that you had beter live within an hour or so of New York if you expect to make it in the business. With all of that, it still may be possible to break in. First, live near a place that makes commercials (New York being the real center). Get LOTS of pictures of the kids made. Big 8 by 19 glossies. (Stay away from the "scouts" for this one.) Get a comfortable pair of shoes and start hitting all of the ad agencies. You will have to do this at least once a week. With any luck, your kids might be noticed. Oh Yes, get the kids into acting and dancing classes. Very important. With lots of work and perseverance, you could get lucky. On the other hand, it will take loads of money and an ability to swallow rejection without folding. T. C. Wheeler
mcal@ihuxb.UUCP (Mike Clifford) (01/08/86)
> > I have recently begun thinking about the prospects of getting my kid(s) - > two boys, 6 and 3 - into commercials. You know, acting in, earning money, etc > However, I am not a particularly pushy parent and don't really have a need > for this to occur. Just that I have seen enough commercials to be convinced > that my kids could succeed at this if they so desired. The older one has > expressed an interest... > Has anyone out there had any experience in this? What are the pitfalls, > the benefits, etc. Whats the best way to get started? How would a parent > best judge an agency or "talent scout" (whatever they may be called)? Are > there opportunities in a local area (I am in the D.C. area) or is it necessary > to be in New York/LA? > I am looking for specific or general information - but actual > information as opposed to opinions or heresay. I will be glad to summarize > the results and post them if there is an interest. > Jeff Armstrong (jeff@dsi2.UUCP) My wife and I had an experience with a Chicagoland-based company called Talent Resources, Inc (TRC). They sent us a letter saying our baby (Lauren) has been recommended to them as a prospect. We called TRC and made an appointment for two of their agents to come to our house. They saw Lauren, interviewed us, and said that they thought Lauren would be accepted by TRC. They also told us that this does not mean that she'll get any work, just that she'll have her pictures on file with them. They told us that the odds of any of their clients EVER getting a job assignment is 1 in 20! And that the odds of getting regular work was 1 in 40! It would cost $350 for 3 years, as well as the cost of new pictures every year. We turned them down, as we felt we could do alot more for Lauren with the $350. Mike Clifford