Hello ~ My 12 yo Preteen daughter has been increasingly persisant regarding her interest in acting and/or modeling. She hears all the time the radio commercials for "Talent Scouts responsible for placing your favorite actors on shows like Dinsey's THAT'S SO RAVEN and Nickelodeon's ZOEY 101" and she wants me to call and make her an appointment to meet with said "Talent Scouts". I don't want to waste my time going to these things to have some "Talent Scout" tell my daughter she'd be perfect if she gets me to pay $800 for a modeling class and then have her all mad at me because I won't. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone knows anything about these companies or if anyone has any suggestions.
Thanks for all your advice! My daughter and I read through all the replys and are going forward with the idea of having fun and not spending a bunch of money to do it. Thanks again!
Just remember that NO reputable agency takes money up front and you only need an agent after you have secured several jobs. Good luck!
Caryn International is the only legit modeling agency in MN that I know of. I may have spelled Caryn wrong not sure. I'm sure there might be a few more legit ones but that is the ONLY one I know of that is the real deal. You will need to get some "head shots" taken and send or bring it in to them and see if they have interest in your child.
I know modeling agencies look for very unique, different, looking models. Something that makes them stick out from others. That's why the competition is so hard. Yes there are a ton of blonde hair blue eyed little girls or bi-racial pretty girls but to make it they have to be unique and have something stand out about themselves. So just make sure your daughter realizes it's a very hard judgmental field to jump into.
Are there community ed classes in your town for this kind of activity? If she is really interested and committed to it, then I'd support her (but not with lots of money - encouragement and ideas about who to talk to.) Kids can be pretty persuasive and really are just thinking/dreaming about something that seems cool. My son wants to be a sports caster and work on ESPN. He regularly asks me to take him to Bristol, CT so he can hang out at their main studio. Not going to happen. But I don't tell him never. I tell him to do well in school, practice writing and speaking well, and maybe in college he'll get there. At 12 - 14 they all have to think it's got to happen right now. Tell her that you're willing to help her if she does the ground work, call and set up appointments for head shots, see if there are any local, cheap classes she can take, find a local community theater or even school plays in your neighborhood. Local high schools all generally do something at least once a year. 12 is a trip, no doubt. 13 seems to be worse for us. Absolutely no reality check in the child's head at all. I hear it's normal and actually quite healthy. I read and suggest a great book and website. Yes, Your Teen is Crazy.
I have been modeling off and on since I was 12- email me _ I have a photographer that is great and will take an hour with your daughter for 100- you get all the images on a cd too - to take wherever you want to get developed. I have lots more to say - but only if you really want a ton of advice. BE CAREFUL- there are a lot of shady people out their willing to exploit you and your child.
S.
skip the scouts and go directly to a reputable LOCAL agency. I worked as a production manager for a local photographer and she used a lot of models from Moore Creative. They do not have any upfront fees. Be sure you do interveiws BEFORE you write a check.
Why not start smaller with her, something more manageable. Take her to a photographer and give her a photo shoot (about $150). These photos can be sent to the local agencies for local jobs - Target, Pennies, etc.... If she gets hired, she will be making money right away.
She may really take to it and then, she may hate it. Either way, your investment is minimal and you are being more realistic about the outcome. You do have two other children to take care of, so spending all of your time making this dream come true for her will be impossible.
Getting her started in the industry, however, is not.
I work in a related business and I know real agents. The "agents" or "scouts" who charge ANY money up front (unless it's nominal, like $50 to add photos to a website) aren't really agents or scouts, they are selling their classes. And that's fine but know this going in, which it seems you already do.
Real agents take a percentage of jobs booked which means they work for nothing until your kid works. Scouts tied to modeling schools are trying to sell their school. Now the school might be very fun and productive and have graduates who've gone on to work. If the school has been in business for a number of years, all of that is probably true. But I've been told by people with experience in modeling that many schools will tell ANYONE with $800 that they have a future in the business, esp new schools with no track record. And the business is hard and full of rejection. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
If you want to spend $800 on this, consider it an expensive activity for your kid. It might be very fun and she might have a modeling career in front of her. If you consider it an investment in her future, consider it a long shot cause that's what it is for everyone, but if she really wants to act, then another option would be to look into theater classes either thru her school or thru one of the many children's theater organizations in town. (Children's Theater Co, Stepping Stone, Circus Joventus sp? and there are many many more, and I don't work for any of them.) They are usually non-profit educational organizations which means it's run with a mission in mind other than profit. If your kid really wants to act, she might love that and it'll cost you way less. And then you can visit a real agent someday... Btw, real agents don't advertise on the radio... :)
