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Tips & Tricks from Industry Insiders
Join Denise Simon and CESD talent agent David Doan in this week’s episode to get the inside tips about actor representation. During this interview, David answers many commonly asked questions as well as gives some unexpected advice about the role of agents and what you and your child can do to elevate your career to the next level! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear a top agent’s thoughts on the industry and what talent can do to make the most of their relationship.
One of the trickiest and most important elements of the business is finding representation. There are so many options so it can be difficult to know where to begin! It is crucial to choose the right people to be a part of your child’s team! On this week’s episode, Denise Simon answers many commonly asked questions about what the difference is between an agent and a manager and what you can do to cultivate the best working relationship.
I’ve worked in the youth acting industry for over 30 years as an acting teacher, career consultant, and former talent manager. I know and collaborate with many youth agents and managers, and can shed some light on what makes a good agent or manager for your child. Let’s first start with the differences between the two, the roles they play, and why some are better than others.
The interview is the time to personally interact and see if you and the agency or management company are the right fit for each other. It’s kind of like a first date. Sure, you may be nervous. You may be thinking, “If I am just plain old me, will I make enough of an impression?" Your best bet is to be prepared, but also be yourself. Look your best without trying too hard. Relax and have a good time. This is supposed to be fun, remember?
Do you want to join this list of moms?
Melanie Johansson
Teri Shields
Dina Lohan
Tish Cyrus
Kris Jenner
What do they all have in common? They are the mothers of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and they managed their kids’ careers—at least for a while. Some parents are famous for successfully managing their children’s careers, while others become infamous when their child sues to remove them as their manager.
Before you decide if you will manage your child’s career, it’s important to understand the role of a manager and what it requires. The definition of a talent manager is an individual or company who cultivates and guides the professional career of artists in the entertainment industry. The most important word in this definition is guide. Guiding a career means that you can give professional advice and counseling on many aspects of the entertainment industry including
Selecting and presenting an appropriate image
Choosing headshots
Tweaking resumés
Consulting on demo reels
Reviewing scripts
Securing feedback after auditions and using that feedback appropriately
Consulting on appropriate team members
Working closely with agents on role submission and negotiating contracts
Making connections with casting directors and producers
Working as a manager is a very demanding role. It requires a deep understanding of the industry, keen organizational skills, marketing savvy, strong communication skills, and the ability to develop relationships with key industry players. Most parents don’t have the industry knowledge or contacts to be effective managers unless they worked in the industry personally.
READ: How to Manage Your Child Actor
If you are thinking of managing your child’s career, ask yourself these questions:
Do you have industry connections and experience?
Are you able to negotiate contracts knowledgeably?
Can you separate your emotions from your child’s and help him or her cope effectively with rejection?
Will you be able to care for your other family members and stay involved with them if you are devoting all your time to career management?
In my experience, the most important role of a parent is being a parent. You provide an important role for your child entertainer. You can monitor emotions, health, balance, and enjoyment of the industry because you know your child better than anyone else. You can provide support, ensure that your child still has regular childhood experiences, and advocate for your child with other team members. Your love is an anchor that helps child actors cope with the demands of working in an adult world.
Unless you are an industry insider, my recommendation is that you focus your efforts on being your child’s best parent and advocate. Work with a manager you trust alongside the other members of your child’s team. Your contribution will be extremely important and valuable to your child’s success. Acting careers can come and go, but your role as a parent lasts forever!
Congratulations! Your child was spotted in a showcase performance by an agent or manager and called into their office for an interview and audition. Or perhaps your youngster’s beautiful photo and resume got the attention of an agent who followed up with a meeting. This is the start of getting signed by a rep who can help your child find auditions and get closer to landing a role.
Every representative has his or her own process for screening talent. Many times, your child will be asked to cold read (meaning it’s something they have not seen before). This could be commercial copy or a short scene from a theater, TV, or film script. Another rep may ask them to prepare a monologue and song if they’re a singer. If that’s the case, these pieces should be ones your child loves and can perform confidently.
While assessing acting and cold reading skills is definitely important, what’s even more important is that the rep learns who your child really is through the interview process. This may be territory that’s completely new to your child, but it’s a wonderful opportunity to gain life skills.
Young actors get a lot of practice working on scripted material, but not as much on just being themselves. I see kids get nervous when they’re not hiding behind a piece of paper and are being asked to just talk about who they really are. So help your young actor get comfortable with this kind of thing by encouraging improvisational training. Thinking on their feet and being spontaneous is great practice for the unknown and offers a competitive edge that reaches far beyond the world of acting.
READ: 4 Questions To Ask An Agent or Manager
At home, you can help your young actor get comfortable talking about subjects that are likely to come up in conversation: hobbies, favorite television shows, siblings, pets, school, and friends. Focus less on specific answers and more on their ability to feel comfortable with the topics. One word responses are not interesting. Neither is insincerity and over-coaching. Instead, encourage honesty, eye contact, clarity, and letting their personality and uniqueness shine through. What’s most important is the connection your child makes with the person in the room.
It’s a good idea to practice interview skills with your child so they become comfortable answering in complete sentences, and seeming natural and confident. Prepare your child to do the interview without you present. Most children do their best without their parent in the room so they don’t have to worry about disappointing them.
Another great way to practice interview skills is by letting your child speak to adults in their daily life. The next time you’re at a store, have your child engage with the clerk by asking and answering questions. Or when the waiter arrives at a restaurant, encourage them to order themselves and strike up a conversation. When my son was young, he loved to order himself. He was very specific about how he liked his food prepared and each time we visited a restaurant, he made such an impression with his unique, amusing personality that they never forgot him.
I’m sure you’re just as excited as your child is to be interviewing with the agency or management firm. As with any company you’re about to start a relationship with, research the agency or firm and ask colleagues for any insight. You’ll have many questions, so prepare them ahead of time to feel more self-assured.
After the meeting, be sure to check in with your child on how they felt about the interview. If it didn’t go well, reflect on ways they might improve for the next opportunity. Evaluate how your child felt about the representative they just met with. It’s important that you and your child feel good about this potential relationship that will hopefully be long lasting.
You are your child’s greatest ally and advocate; make sure you’re doing all you can to make this journey fun, safe, and enjoyable for them.
There are times in every relationship when we wonder if things are still working well enough. Partnerships, people, and circumstances change over time, so it’s good to reassess periodically. If there has been stress or frustration when dealing with your representative, it may be time for a heart-to-heart talk. If after doing your best to work with someone, you find that you are still experiencing some of the following problems, it may be time to call it quits and move on. Here are four signs that your relationship with your rep has passed its expiration date.
1. Lack of communication. This is a red flag that could mean there are serious problems in the relationship. Even though managers and agents are usually very busy, most email or phone replies to you should be made within days, if not hours. If you are emailing or calling your rep and not hearing back in a timely fashion, it makes it challenging for them to serve your needs properly. This lack of attention may mean any number of things, but don’t assume you know the backstory. Instead, arrange one-on-one time to discuss the state of your partnership. Whether they no longer consider you to be a high priority or they are avoiding you for some reason, you deserve to know what is happening and whether or not things can be fixed.
2. You fear them. Countless times, students have asked me if they should call their manager or they ask for my advice on what to do about an opportunity. These clients often feel intimidated by their reps and are afraid to ask the questions they need to ask. You should feel comfortable talking with your representative about your career! Granted, managers and agents are usually very busy working for you as well as their many other clients. The best agents tend to be very time-efficient and just need to be succinct. Be respectful of their time by preparing your questions in advance and doing as much legwork as you can before picking up the phone, but have confidence in your right to talk with them. If, however, you find that you are being treated disrespectfully or made to feel badly for bothering them, there may be a problem with the relationship. In order for you to get the most out of having a rep, communication needs to flow both ways.
3. Does not support your vision. It’s important that your rep be on board with where you see your career going. You may want to focus on theater in New York but he wants you out in California working in television. Are you interested in working on your music, yet he keeps sending you out for acting-only opportunities? A disconnect like this will not move you in the direction you want to go. Talk with your rep about your goals and find out if he can get behind your vision of the future. The right rep will be a good partner who supports you as you pursue your performing arts goals.
4. Not a team player. Many actors will start out with an agent and then add a manager as things start to pick up speed. Sometimes, and this is common for young performers, you retain a manager and hope to make agent connections through them. Talk with your rep and find out her opinion on adding to the team. If she tells you to hold off because you are not ready and you trust her counsel, then perhaps you should wait. Sometimes, though, an agent prefers to maintain independent control over her performers’ careers and doesn’t want a manager to interfere. That agent may be putting herself before her clients and is not being a team player. If you have a healthy partnership with your agent, she will support your interest in adding to your team. Putting together a team that works well together from the start will help it function properly in the long run.
Keep in mind, agents and managers are juggling many clients and responsibilities. You can help them help you by keeping up on your part: current pictures, updated résumés, and new skills. As with any relationship, good communication is key to maintaining a successful partnership.
Right now, the news and social media are full of reports about sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry. Last week, the teens in my acting classes were discussing the news and what they would do in uncomfortable situations. It can be a scary issue, both for young actors and their parents.
Unfortunately, sexual abuse is a real issue, primarily when people in power use their authority to prey on the young or less powerful. Predators can lurk in all settings so it’s wise for parents to help their children—male and female—know how to recognize and respond to unwanted advances.
When I was a new talent rep in my twenties, I had a parent of an important client who consistently made lewd and inappropriate comments. I told my boss, my husband, and even talked to the parent, but the abuse continued. My choices were to endure his bad behavior or fire his talented son. I didn’t want to lose my job, so I sacrificed my self-esteem and tried to ignore his behavior. That was more than twenty years ago when sexual abuse was not discussed, and few options for help existed.
Thankfully, children today have an environment where speaking up against abuse is encouraged. The Casting Society of America put out a public statement condemning harassment in all forms with the slogan, “If you see something, say something.” SAG- AFTRA urges members who experience or observe harassing or discriminatory behavior to call a 24-hour hotline at (844) 723-3773 or (323) 549-6644. Women in Film has a useful resource for female entertainment professionals.
It is essential for parents to teach and model healthy personal boundaries at home. Begin by explaining what sexual harassment and abuse are, especially these key points.
Sexual harassment and abuse can:
be physical, verbal, or emotional.
happen to boys and girls.
be committed by an adult or peer.
Teach your child to always come to you if they feel uncomfortable or harassed. Their bodies are their own and no one should touch them without consent.
If your child experiences harassment or sexual advances, they should go to someone in charge, such as the studio teacher/child welfare worker, director or assistant director, child wrangler or guardian, stage manager, or their agent or manager. Offer to help your child make this call and participate in any meetings. You can also ask to sit in on any private acting lessons or casting calls if your child feels uncomfortable.
Have a frank discussion with your young actor about the importance of self-respect and personal boundaries. Remind them that no role is more important than their safety. Teach them about manipulation and threats used to keep things secret so they can feel safe speaking up and reporting abusive behavior.
Watch for these red flags:
Your intuition telling you that something isn’t right.
An adult who seems too interested in your child, gives inappropriate gifts, or wants time alone with them.
Threats of blacklisting for lack of cooperation made to either you or your young actor.
Unwillingness to attend callbacks or acting classes without explanation or saying that they don’t want to talk about it.
Parents, take this opportunity to teach your young actors that they don’t need to compromise their boundaries to be successful in acting or any endeavor. It’s never a bad time to talk with your child about safety, boundaries, and how to report any unwanted behavior. Your goal is not to frighten your child, but to educate and pledge your support should they ever need help.
The things you teach your child today about sexual harassment and abuse can offer them protection for their entire lifetimes.
If your child is hungry for a life in show business, getting representation is the next step to a budding career. But how does one obtain representation? It seems like a daunting task in an incredibly competitive industry. Luckily, there are many ways in which a child can gain industry attention to secure a rep.
In a production. It is always best to be seen in action. Agents and managers generally frequent theatrical productions, as they are always on the hunt for new talent. If your child is serious about acting professionally, make sure he is involved in school plays, community theater, and even regional theater. Reps are always looking for a child who has potential.
Industry showcases. Industry showcases are the perfect opportunity for young performers to gain industry attention. This is an event in which agents, managers, and casting directors watch actors perform exclusively for them. Actors perform scenes, monologues, songs, and even read commercial copy. If a rep responds to the actor, they will arrange a meeting and possibly sign on a new client. Even if your child doesn’t sign with an agent or manager, they might keep their name on file to be seen again in the future.
Workshops and classes. Many acting workshops and classes will culminate with an informal performance for an agent or manager. These are generally for educational purpose where your child will practice in audition-like settings. However, if an agent or manager sees promise in a performer, they might ask for their name to set up an interview.
Old-fashioned mailings. Years ago agents and managers primarily gained clients through headshots and résumés mailed to them by hopeful performers. Make sure you have a great photo that looks like your child and a résumé detailing your child’s experience and training. Get a list of agents and managers who work with young performers through CallSheet and send a hard copy to them with a short cover letter. If you live outside of the big industry cities, call your local SAG-AFTRA office to get the names of reputable agents and managers.
Referrals. Perhaps you have a friend who is signed with an agency or management company. Ask them for a referral. This can get your name in the door faster than mailing lists (because they can ask questions and gain a sense of who you are from a person they’ve already trusted to sign as a client).
Your coaches. Your acting or voice teacher can also refer you to a rep, as they have the contacts and a trusted relationship with many of them. I never pass up an opportunity to send one of my promising young students to one of my colleagues if I believe they are ready to work. Since the young actor has been vetted by me, the rep is more apt to respond. I have introduced many of my students to both agents and managers and they have continued on to have incredibly successful careers.
There are so many ways for your child to be seen by industry professionals. What is most important during this time is to stay involved in theater and performance opportunities while continuing with ongoing training. Passion is at the heart of any career, and it’s important to keep your child’s love of performance at the center of your journey.
For parents of working actors, the entertainment industry may seem like a lot of smoke and mirrors. While there are plenty of mirrors in show business, your child’s legal rights should not be one of them. Parents often ask me when, if at all, is there a right time to hire an entertainment attorney. I have plenty of students who have entertainment attorneys, and plenty who do not. Let’s discuss the right times to hire an attorney to protect your young performer.
Getting representation. Your child has caught the attention of an agent or manager. Congratulations! As an acting coach and career consultant, I have clients from all over work with well-respected and vastly talented agents and managers. I have also had clients approached by talent reps that I would not recommend. Although they may present a legal document, the contract may embroil your child into years of their representation and could potentially freeze or ruin your child’s career if they decide to pursue other options. Any time your child enters a contractual agreement, I would advise an entertainment lawyer to look over the legal obligations and wording of the agreement.
Once you are signed. Once you have a trusting relationship with a talent agency or manager, it is not necessary to use an entertainment lawyer for every contract your child enters. A good agency will negotiate contracts and have your child’s back in all stages of production. Almost every large talent agency has an in-house legal department that handles contracts and the negotiation process. You are not charged for these services because the legal team is there to represent the agency-specific deals—which include actors’ contracts. Even smaller agencies and managers have regular contact with entertainment attorneys, so you can be well assured that your child’s contracts are fair and legal.
Working in the business. Once your child begins to work in bigger productions and gain recognition, you may want to think about an entertainment attorney as a part of your child’s team. They will give personalized attention and negotiate contracts that best serve their clients. They will also inform you of industry norms and make sure your child is protected on set. When your child is constantly working, it is crucial for parents to understand your child’s working conditions. Skilled in the nuances of performers’ rights, an entertainment attorney will advise you of your child’s legal rights regarding their pay, education, and labor laws. They will inform you of your rights as a parent, including sight and sounds laws, hiring a “responsible person,” and money questions. Entertainment attorneys explain, in layman’s terms, rules that can have potentially monumental costs and consequences to a family if enforced. When handling long production periods and large sums of money, an entertainment attorney can inform you of the legal benefits and drawbacks to such big decisions.
Deciding when to hire an entertainment attorney is a complex question, with no one right answer for everyone. Ultimately, the best decision is what makes financial and legal sense for your child and family. It is important to find an attorney whom you respect and trust. Your entertainment attorney is there to protect the interests of your child in an unbiased setting, as they do not fill the shoes of an agent/manager. For more information on the legality of show business, check out Sally R. Gaglini’s book, “Young Performers at Work.” As a top entertainment attorney for young performers, Gaglini’s book provides a deep knowledge of entertainment law to inform and protect you and your family.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
The internet has provided an ease of accessibility that has made the entertainment industry harder than ever to navigate. There is more opportunity to fall prey to a casting scam and bad teachers. However, in this episode, Denise’s advice and tips will give you the tools to spot red flags in the industry. Don’t let a bad advertisement and ill-intended “industry professional” get in the way of your child’s road to success.
Join Denise Simon and CESD talent agent David Doan in this week’s episode to get the inside tips about actor representation. During this interview, David answers many commonly asked questions as well as gives some unexpected advice about the role of agents and what you and your child can do to elevate your career to the next level! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear a top agent’s thoughts on the industry and what talent can do to make the most of their relationship.
One of the trickiest and most important elements of the business is finding representation. There are so many options so it can be difficult to know where to begin! It is crucial to choose the right people to be a part of your child’s team! On this week’s episode, Denise Simon answers many commonly asked questions about what the difference is between an agent and a manager and what you can do to cultivate the best working relationship.
Has your child ever dreamed of being on Disney, Nickelodeon, or Broadway? Are they performing skits for you in your living room? With so many roles for young actors, now might be the right time to get them into show business! Denise Simon, former celebrity talent manager, and expert youth acting coach will answer all of your questions about what it takes to get your child started and thrive in the business of show business.
We have lived through trying times these past few years. Between the times of isolation, fewer auditions, and trainings on Zoom instead of with people, it’s been challenging. Thankfully, things are starting to return to a sense of normal. As you begin thinking about 2022, here are some ideas to start your new year off right:
One of the most common questions I get asked by parents of young actors is how they can best support their children at auditions. Whether it’s running lines, serving as a reader, or helping with a self-tape, if parents don’t know a thing or two about technique, they may actually be doing more harm than good. I recently worked with a top L.A.-based casting director and when asked how to remedy these issues, her advice was simple: “Take an acting class.” Here are five reasons why that advice is sound:
Many of my students are curious about theater opening up again and changes to the industry. More specifically, the audition process. With Broadway, television, and film resuming production, the question of auditioning in our new reality is increasingly becoming a hot topic among actors.
Imagine yourself in an audition. You may be reviewing a monologue or reciting lines from a scene as you nervously wait to be called in. While preparing, you remind yourself of the notes that you were given by your acting coach. Once in the audition room, you slate and perform your monologue or scene. What happens next is the wild card. The panel of casting, film, and/or TV directors might smile and say, “Thank you, next!” Or they may give you direction and adjustments. In order to take the direction given, you need to have the foundational skills to act and the ability to understand the language and concepts. A casting director or director expects the actor to be trained and ready for the role they’re auditioning for. To succeed in your audition, you need to understand the differences between working with coaches and directors, and the notes you’ll receive from both.
I’ve worked in the youth acting industry for over 30 years as an acting teacher, career consultant, and former talent manager. I know and collaborate with many youth agents and managers, and can shed some light on what makes a good agent or manager for your child. Let’s first start with the differences between the two, the roles they play, and why some are better than others.
College is a big investment! With today’s tuition ranging anywhere from $25,000–$75,000 per year students often have to scramble to figure out how to pay. There’s no guarantee that the career you choose will pay for all of your expenses, so it’s important to consider your future before leaping too quickly into student loans. Here are five ways teen actors can lighten the burden of college tuition.
Having clear and proper speech is essential. It’s how we communicate and share our ideas, and, more importantly, it lets us express emotion. For an actor, the voice and the body are tools that work together to tell a story. If one can’t be properly understood, how can a young actor do their job and get an audience engaged? Many of my younger students have trouble understanding and controlling their voices. Here are five ways young actors can improve their diction.
At 22 years old, Amanda Gorman is the youngest poet ever to speak at a presidential inauguration. Last week, people across the United States and the world were captivated when Gorman read her moving poem titled “The Hill We Climb.” Less than a week later, she’s a sensation. As I listened to her stirring recitation and watched her interviews on television, I couldn’t help but think how much young actors can learn from this young woman.
How do you tell your parents that you want to be an actor? You may be worried you’re disappointing them because you aren’t going to take over the family business or become the doctor they want you to be. But have some faith. When you’re following a path you’re passionate about, your parents will do anything they can to support you. That said, there are still a few things you can do to alleviate their stress at knowing you want to start an acting career. Here are some tips if you’re wondering how to convince your parents to let you be an actor.
The holidays are fast approaching and with canceled vacations, many of my students have been looking for something to keep them sharp over the break. Why not settle down with a good book? Actors can learn a lot just by reading the works of veterans in the field. Here are eight ideas for the child actor, parent, or teacher to get cozy with over the holidays.
The world we’re living in right now is full of uncertainty, but it’s important that we try our best to maintain business as usual. Many schools have moved classes online, but for students in the arts that can be challenging. As an acting coach, I’ve been teaching on Facetime and Skype for years for students who are on the road or who don’t have access to teachers because they’re in smaller markets. In an attempt to continue regular training for my students, I’m now teaching group classes on the platform Zoom. Here are the benefits I’ve found my students experience through online learning.
With productions shut down and theaters only now starting to open up, many of my students have been asking how they can stay sharp in their acting. The great thing about living in the digital age is that students don’t need to wait for opportunities to come knocking at their door. YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are all great platforms for young actors to create their own content, garner some attention, and have fun doing it. Here are some pro tips for students who want to start creating their own content.
After months of COVID-related audition and production shutdowns, the acting world is beginning to reopen. I’m fielding many questions from my students’ parents regarding safety precautions, auditions, schooling, and on set protocols. Here’s some information that you should consider so that you can make wise choices as you think about your child actor returning to work.
Who isn’t in search of an exciting, job-booking dramatic monologue? As an acting coach for kids, teens, and young adults, I understand the struggle, having spent hours searching for engaging material to use as teaching tools. Throughout my ongoing searches, I’ve explored the classics and great writers of the past, but I’ve also found many contemporary playwrights producing current, trendy material.
Kids grow and change quickly. New heights, haircuts, styles, and skills appear daily as they mature. In the entertainment industry, your image, age, and type all play a part in determining what jobs you’ll be right for. Just as you need to update your headshot regularly to stay current, the same needs to be done with a demo reel. Here are the signs your child actor needs a new reel.
One of the most troubling areas of study for young actors is Shakespeare. They feel challenged by the language, vivid characters, and scenes that are often foreign to them. Young actors are typically still growing vocally, physically, and emotionally. Working on Shakespeare helps connect all these different moving pieces so that they can work with confidence. It’s a great way for them to expand their craft, and when given the right material, they can actually have a lot of fun with it.
Every young actor dreams of the chance to deconstruct and explore Shakespeare. High stakes, vivid language, rhythm, and poetry all come together to create a perfect storm of lyricism in his work. This is the kind of material that will really push a young actor to dig deep with his nuanced characters, and it’s pretty popular in the high school scene. That said, it can often be difficult for teens to find material that they can connect to and understand.
