The Essential Characteristics Your Child Needs to Land an Agent

A good agent opens doors to auditions, so I’m not surprised that one of the first questions I am asked by parents is, “How can my child get an agent?” Talent agents know how to identify kids with the most potential, and in order to maximize your child’s chances you should know what those factors are. While some characteristics are out of your control, there are some that aren't.

Self-Motivation
David Gilbert, of Zuri Model and Talent Agency, says, “Most importantly, I always ask the kid if this is something they want to do. I want to make sure they're not being pushed into it.” There are two types of parent-child teams: Those led by the parent’s agenda, and those led by the child’s. Most young performers who rise to prominence are driving their own careers, with parents who help them get things done. Nancy Carson, of the Carson Adler Agency, agrees, saying, “I want kids who really want to do this, the kid who drags his parent into the office, not the other way around. ”

The “Wow” Factor
There will always be an intangible aspect to stardom. Charisma is hard to define, but we all know it when we see it. As Bonnie Shumofsky, of Abrams Artists, says, “I believe identifying young talent is a process. As in many professions, there is a combination of the so-called art and science. The science aspect is what is tangible. The art, however, is having an eye for what I call the “wow” factor. It may be from a performance I see or even just a conversation during a meeting. It is very hard to put this piece of the process into words and as with most art, it’s more a measure of sensing and being in tune with the emotional impact generated by a young artist. That’s what I look for.” The agent will be evaluating your child’s personality at all times, looking for the sparkle that only a diamond has.

Confidence
There is no substitute for confidence. It affects everything about a person’s demeanor—face, voice, body language—and every interaction. David Gilbert says, “I am always looking for someone who is going to ‘win the room’—when they walk into my office, they’ve got to have confidence. Also, they’ve got to be directable, able to make adjustments on the spot.” When a young performer believes in himself, he not only makes a great impression, but he is better able to respond to unexpected situations such as taking direction during an audition or taping. Being self-assured puts people at ease, inspiring confidence in the agent or director—and transmits to an audience, too! It is something that can be developed over time with experience, yet we can also dig deep and project more confidence than we might feel at the moment.

Marketability
Barry Kolker, of Carson Kolker Organization, knows there has to be a market for each young performer in his stable. “When signing children and teen performers, I look for a ‘type’ that I need, so that I don’t have ‘conflicts’ and submit too many clients.” This is often a matter of timing, so keep in mind that while your child’s “look” might not be in demand today, things may change tomorrow. It could also mean that one agent already represents someone with this particular “type,” but there will be other agents who are looking to fill the same spot in their roster. Persevere. Markets are fluid and young performers evolve as they grow up, so over time they will find themselves positioned differently depending on many factors.

Parental Support
Kolker goes on to say, “I look for talented kids/teens with a lot of personality who have a passion for performing and whose parent or guardian is able to make the commitment. I’m looking for a family who I feel will be easy to work with and that I feel/hope that we can be successful together!” Gilbert agrees, saying, “I want parents who support their child and are encouraging, who understand that their job is to be a good parent and mine is to be a good agent.” Certainly, as a stage parent, you can control how committed you are to supporting your child’s acting career. You are an important ingredient for success, and agents know it. Make sure they understand you are willing to do what it takes so that you all succeed in the end.

Can You Trust Your Child's Acting Coach?

The success of a performer comes from their training, motivation and passion. Just as in the Olympics, a qualified coach can make a great difference in your child’s training and ability to win roles. Acting coaches are experts in enhancing performance skills. They are well trained, highly skilled and know the industry inside-out.

To move forward as an actor and be able to portray roles with intimacy and authenticity, you must trust your coach. You are enlisting them for their knowledge and advice and then practicing what they preach. Acting is such a personal business. Both you and your child must trust your acting coach to create a safe environment for growth. The best way to find a coach you can trust is to evaluate his or her professional etiquette, experience, and ethical standards.

Acting coaches can hang up a shingle without a teaching license or certification. They may be skilled, creative, well trained and even a genius, but how moral and ethical are they? My students come to rely on me as a confidant and mentor as they bare their souls and become vulnerable. They speak their truths, insecurities and fears while they dig within to learn who they are and how that relates to the character they are portraying. It’s deep work and requires me to be careful with their emotional growth.

Students often ask me for guidance and advice. They also share their excitement and joy when they are being considered for a role or book a job. The first thing they say is, “You’re not going to tell anyone, right?” Confidentiality is important for production and it is equally important in relationships. A nine year old student of mine booked a job, and when I asked him what it was he replied,” I can’t tell you because I signed a nondisclosure.” He then coyly asked, “Mom, what does that mean?”

Recently, another student brought a monologue to me and made me swear I wouldn’t give it to anyone else. They trust me to maintain their privacy and to coach them to their very best level of performance.

READ: "How to Choose an Acting Teacher for Your Child"

In addition to being an acting coach I am also a certified life coach. I trained with a master level coach and completed a rigorous examination process in order to receive my certification. My life coach training gives me ethical guidelines and professional standards while establishing trust with the client in a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust. These are the principles I follow as an acting coach. I work with many young students and their parents need to know their child is safe and I can be trusted.

When you are looking for a trustworthy acting coach for your child, consider these characteristics. Does your coach:

• Gossip?

• Take personal or monetary advantage of the client?

• Give misleading information or advice?

• Become sexually intimate with clients?

Or does your coach instead:

• Accurately identify their coaching qualifications, expertise and experience?

• Recognize personal issues that may interfere with their coaching performance?

• Report research with competency and honesty?

• Avoid conflicts of interest?

• Respect their clients’ rights to terminate coaching and not blacklist them?

• Maintain the strictest level of confidentiality?

Before committing to a coach, do your homework. Ask around for recommendations, check them out on the web, read testimonials and trust your gut. As a parent, you know your child best. If you feel that something is off in the relationship between your child and an acting coach, trust that feeling and explore other options.

When you trust your child’s acting coach, and your child does too, it removes fear and anxiety. Once that happens, a young actor can open up to do his or her best work. Developing the art of performance requires a tremendous amount from a young actor. A trustworthy, ethical and experienced coach makes a big impact on that process.

How to Choose an Acting Teacher for Your Child

When parents first call me about acting lessons for their child, they often say, “I’ve heard you are really good with kids!” I have to admit it’s true! Relating to kids comes naturally to me. There are also many other teachers out there who work well with children and teens, so what is the key? What ingredients need to be present to make it most rewarding for your child? Here is a list of things to look for when choosing an acting teacher for your young performer. 

Trust. Acting is intimate. In order to act well, kids need to access their emotions and dig inside themselves so they can relate to the characters they portray. Learning to act takes courage as they share personal stories, take risks with their feelings and try new things in their performance, so it is essential that their learning environment be safe. While giving young students feedback, a good teacher will also be supportive and encouraging. After all, this is about working towards your child’s dream! The teacher needs to build healthy relationships with the children, based on genuine care for each student. Students should never be torn down or abused as part of the learning process! By fostering mutual respect and optimism, a good teacher creates a dynamic that nurtures growth.

Respect. I’m not talking about politeness here. Some people think of children as less important or less capable than adults, and treat them as such. Find professionals who treat your child with the full respect due to all people, regardless of age. This means speaking to children as equals. A good teacher will not talk down to his students, but give them the credit for being able to handle reality. Granted, there are certain age-appropriate adjustments to make when talking about mature subjects, such as sex, drugs, or violence, but kids need honesty. Teachers need to be direct with feedback, rather than sugar-coating it. If a student has a bad acting habit, the teacher has to call him on it! Kids can handle constructive criticism and need to hear it in order to learn and grow as actors. 

Fun! While some adults seem to have forgotten that life can be fun, kids still believe it should be fun—and the kids are right! Learning is hard work, but when a teacher makes it playful, it feels effortless. Allowing students to play and explore is part of the process. They need to be creative and experiment with it. This is a place where they can let loose without being judged. They will be encouraged and praised for their efforts. Kids should come out of class feeling energized! They will have smiles on their faces and be eager to put what they’ve learned to use. 

Empowerment. One thing I always do is give my young students tools they can use when they are on their own, without me to guide them. I teach them to self-direct, so they have the skills to make independent choices in their acting. The goal of a good teacher is to empower a student to incorporate all the knowledge gained in class into who they are out in the real world and make it their own. I take great pride in watching a student put the work she’s done in class with me into motion in front of an audience or camera. If I’ve done my job well, she exceeds her own expectations and grows into a greater, more confident performer—and person—as a result of our time together. 

Remember to look for an acting teacher who specializes in working with young performers when you look for classes for your child. Entertainment is a tough, adult-oriented business and you want someone who is not only good with kids but has the chops to teach the craft. Every experience your child has while growing up can contribute to his becoming a happy, well-adjusted adult, so make sure you find someone who is going to support you both on that road.

When Does a Young Actor Need a Manager?

As a former talent manager, acting coach, and mentor to my students, the importance of good representation is always at the top of my list. There are two types of representation for actors: an agent and a manager. Some actors have only an agent, some a manager, and some both. A question I am often asked is, “How do I know if my child needs a manager?” Knowing the difference between an agent and a manager is a good place to start.

A talent agent in New York or California is licensed by the state and their job is to solicit employment for their clients. They are franchised by the union and are generally limited to taking a 10 percent commission on money earned from employment. Agents can have a small or large number of clients. They use their eye for talent and their resources to get an actor into an audition and secure a job as well as negotiating contracts. Actors are usually signed to a one-year contract and have a 90-day “out clause” if there are no auditions within that time.

A manager cultivates a career. They counsel, advise, and provide career direction and guidance. They generally have fewer clients than an agent, which enables them to give more personalized attention to their clients. Managers take anywhere from 10–20 percent commission and usually sign a client to a three-year contract. A benefit to working with a manager is that while a client is signed with them, they can freelance with several agents, thereby having access to more auditions. An actor can also have a manager and work exclusively with one agent.

So how do you know when your child needs a manager? I usually recommend a manager when a young performer is just starting out or has a career that needs to be managed.

Perhaps your child cannot get an agent. If a manager believes in your child this may be a good place to start. As your child enters the business you will have a lot of questions and concerns. A manager offers support and guidance in the beginning of a professional career. A good manager will communicate with you effectively, help you find reputable photographers, teachers, and coaches, review your photo proofs, push for auditions, and introduce you to potential agents to round out the team. As a personal talent manager, I read with my clients before auditions (it helped that I was a trained teacher) and even taped them in my office where we had the luxury of re-taping until we were satisfied. I did a lot of handholding for both parents and kids and encouraged them when times got tough.

Managers can also be instrumental for a working young performer. They shape careers because of the intimate nature of their job. Representing talent is much more than just booking a gig. Reading scripts, packaging deals, setting career goals, introducing a client to the right people, getting more specific, tailored auditions, and working in tandem with a publicist to help market a career are all some of the ways in which a manager can support a successful young performer. On the flip side, if a young actor has a good agent who can handle a career in this way he may not need a manager.

Finding out what’s right for your child is a process of which you can only be certain once you get started. Whether or not your child has an agent or a manager, if their representation is caring, supportive, and believes in their ability and potential, success will follow.

7 Reasons to Involve Your Young Actor in Managing Their Career

Today, I am busy organizing my financial records to prepare for taxes and the upcoming year. As I add up my mileage log and collect my receipts, I can’t help but reflect on the many young actors and parents I advise about the business of show business. They too are collecting receipts and keeping mileage logs. What starts out simply as a child’s drive and passion to act quickly becomes a business with financial, legal, and organizational responsibilities well beyond acting in the school play.

Many parents feel overwhelmed as they struggle to prioritize and stay organized. My advice is: don’t do it alone. You have the perfect resource to help keep it all successfully together—your child. No, a 10-year-old will not be able to help with the carpool. Nor is it likely that your child will immediately make things easier; however, involving a young actor with many of the day-to-day details of managing their own career can result in a tremendous growth in maturity and many other benefits.

Sound like more trouble than it’s worth? Here are seven reasons to get your preteen and older actor involved in the management of their own career:

1. Empower your child. Young actors who understand the decision making, diligence, and sacrifice necessary to pursue an acting career on both their own part and the part of their families are often completely invested. Teens and pre-teens thrive when parents nurture their adolescent development rather than control it. An inclusive approach to career decision making with real and understandable expectations and responsibilities for your young actor often leaves them feeling in control, focused, and determined.

2. Get better results. Families who involve their young actors in the nuts and bolts of running their acting careers spend more time planning and weighing their options in terms of craft development, audition opportunities, financial commitment, and family conflicts. It helps the actor make good career choices and the family unit function better.

3. Learn to budget. Pursuing an acting career is a significant financial investment. It presents a wonderful opportunity for parents to give their children a hands-on understanding of budgeting and financial decision making. A young actor can learn a lot from helping you spend their “acting allowance” wisely.

4. Keep their feet on the ground. Success can be tough to handle gracefully. Two of the best ways to keep things in perspective is  for your child to experience the hard work it takes to meet their goals and recognize the contributions and sacrifices of those supporting them.

5. Put that smartphone to good use. Tech savvy teens are a great resource to help organize the paperwork functions of an acting career. A teen with a smartphone can log mileage, receipts, and appointments. They can upload sides, keep an audition log, and create an online acting notebook. In addition, they can regularly look for new audition and training opportunities. It is truly amazing what a young actor can get done in the car with their smartphone on the way home from an audition.

6. Develop life skills. Scheduling, budgeting, goal setting, and personal and family decision making develops important life skills. The consistent effort to stay organized teaches children how to focus effectively to get things done. Involvement on this level with proper parental guidance also develops communication and critical reasoning skills. These life skills show up in the audition too. Casting directors look for young actors who focus and communicate well.

7. It’s their dream. The child that is truly invested and passionate about pursuing an acting career will often appreciate the rewards of involvement and accept the responsibility to do their part. While it is not necessarily the ultimate sign of disinterest, children who are resistant may be sending you a message about their commitment or maturity. It is certainly not an all or nothing proposition. Parents who take this approach generally match the level of responsibility to the stage of their young actor’s development.

Gaining Industry Attention for Your Child

Parents write to me all the time asking advice on how their child can get noticed in the business. One mom writes, “I have sent my child’s photos around and have gotten no response.” Another asks, “How do I get an audition for my child if he has no representation?” Much has been written on this subject, and after many years in the business working with child performers and their families, I am happy to weigh in with my six tips on increasing your child’s chances of getting representation and auditions.

1. A great headshot. This is an actor’s calling card and may be the single most important tool in your young performer’s kit. Unless you or grandma can take a really great snapshot, spend a little money on a professional headshot. Even if a rep has a lot of clients, a great headshot will win attention. Be sure to read my article on how to choose a photographer for some additional tips.

1. Mailings. Send your child’s fabulous photo to agents and managers who represent children and teens. If you subscribe to Backstage, you can access a full list of agents and managers on Backstage.com. Put together a simple resume with pertinent info such as height, weight, and hair/eye color. List any experience, training, and special skills such as a language, instrument or sport your child plays or excels in. For an example of a good resume format, visit my website. Don’t forget to attach a short, simple cover letter with your contact information asking for an opportunity to set up a meeting.

2. Demo reel. Did you remember to get a copy of the commercial your child shot? How about the film footage the student director promised you? Now is a good time to put a short (2-3 minute) reel together. There are professional companies that specialize in this, or you can save a few bucks by asking a savvy teenager. Since he probably gets a lot of practice making and uploading YouTube videos, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results. A demo reel is a great way for a potential rep to see what your child looks like on film.

3. Hire a coach or consultant. You think your child has talent but don’t know what to do next. How do you know if you are targeting the best manager or agent for your child? Hiring a professional industry coach or consultant to assess your child’s talent and readiness can offer a lot of advantages. A good coach or consultant has spent years in the business and knows exactly what industry reps are looking for. He or she can point you in the right direction and may really help open doors for you.

4. Workshops. Casting directors, agents, and managers are always teaching and attending workshops. Not only will your young performer benefit from the teaching, but he also will have the opportunity to be seen where he can show off his talent and personality.

5. Networking. My best business connections have come from people I talk to. Be sure to connect with other actors and parents of kids in the biz. Most folks are happy to share their contacts with you. Consider getting involved with networking groups like STAR Parent Network. They share audition notices and information, organize workshops, pursue opportunities for education and performing for all ages and abilities and it is completely free to join.

Following these six steps can really give your child a boost when it comes to getting attention in this business. Even if you have already done some of these things, go back over them from time to time, refresh and update things as needed, and keep putting the effort in.

3 Essential Steps To Keeping Your Representation

fortunate enough to sign with an agent or manager. Fostering a healthy, long-lasting relationship with them takes work just like any other partnership. Here are some helpful tips to follow if you are serious about keeping your rep on your side and working hard on your behalf.

1. Be honest. Establish a habit of honest communication from the beginning of your relationship. If you feel like you are not getting what you need, speak up. I had a client who was upset that she wasn’t getting feedback on her auditions. Instead of letting her manager know this was important for her, she became angry and resentful. Another client came to me asking if my other students had been auditioning for roles she was not getting appointments for. When I asked her to confront her agent, she said she was afraid to for fear of sounding like a nudge. You can’t expect people to know what you are thinking. Resentment will feed on your negativity and become stronger the longer it is ignored. Don’t let it fester – ask your rep for a meeting or a lunch date to talk face-to-face if something is bothering you.

2. Be reliable. Are you turning down auditions or are you late for appointments? Are you following up on suggestions from your rep to get back to acting class, get new headshots, and put together a new reel? Make sure your headshots and resume are up to date. If you are going to be out of town or unavailable for auditions “book out,” meaning let your rep know the dates you are not free to audition. Clear your voicemail if it is full so you will always get your messages. Check your e-mail and voicemail several times throughout the day so you don’t miss an important call from your rep. You are an integral part of the team, so do your part. Don’t expect your career to magically take off just because you now have representation. Woody Allen said it well: “Ninety percent of life is just showing up!” Show up, take action, and be reliable.

3. Be respectful. You’ve heard it said and read it here on Backstage many times. Your agent is busy getting you auditions. He is in meetings and on the phone all day working for you. Find out how he wants you to communicate with him and respect that. Not every office has an open door policy. Be courteous. Make an appointment before just dropping by the office.

Following these tips will go a long way towards keeping both you and your rep happy so you can work as a team and focus on the important task of moving your career forward. By the way, honesty, reliability, and respect are all important ingredients in any relationship. What other keys to developing good relationships can you suggest? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

How To Handle Being Dropped By Your Agent

My 13-year-old client Samantha called me this week crying, “It feels like my boyfriend just dumped me!” Her agent had just dropped her. Whether you are in a romantic relationship or a business arrangement, it hurts when the other party moves on. You may be thinking, “I’ll never work again!” or “Will another agent or manager ever sign me?”

Don't fret! Here are some tips to handle your situation.

1. Find out why you are being dropped. Some common reasons include: your rep can’t get you appointments for auditions, you’re too tall for your age, or you’re in the dry teenage years.

2. Find out why you can’t get appointments. It is often for a specific reason: your cold reading skills, acting ability, or vocal qualities are suffering. If this is the case, beef up your training before approaching another industry rep. Maybe your look no longer works and it’s time for an image reassessment. One client was dropped by her agent and came to me for a consultation. I immediately advised her to cut her hair before seeking new representation. It was down to her knees and made her completely unmarketable.

3. Adopt a new attitude. Adolescence isn't a curse, but I am not saying it's easy either! Yes, the hard truth is that there are many actors over the age of 18 who can play teenagers. It is cheaper for production to hire them because these actors can work longer hours and don’t incur tutoring costs. Even though it is tough to get work in the teen years, many reps may be willing to take a chance on you for the long haul. Remember, you won’t be a teen forever. Focus on another part of the business like commercials. Take the time to study, hone your craft, and come back with a bang!

4. Take control of your career. Believe that things happen for a reason and take more control of your career by finding work yourself. You can get a fresh start by using resources such as Backstage to find your own auditions. Many agents and managers will not bother pursuing these leads for you.

5. Don't lose all hope! If you have worked before and have talent, it is time to reassess your assets with a trusted professional. Get an opinion of your strengths, repackage your portfolio, and shop till you drop. I'm not talking Macy's! Agents and managers need talent. Just because your current representation is unwilling to handle you, doesn’t mean someone else won’t. What may not be in vogue for one rep, may be just the thing another is looking for.

6. Make sure you exit with dignity even though you are the one being dropped.This is a tiny industry and what goes around comes around. Don't harbor anger and resentment; you will be the only one losing sleep over it.

Take the time to master your craft, empower yourself and enjoy the journey...

Ask Denise: Agent? Manager? What’s the Difference?

Q: What’s the difference between an agent and a manager?

A: Here’s the basic breakdown:

A MANAGER:

•  Helps to cultivate a career. Does not just book a job.

• Generally has fewer clients than an agent.

• Gives more individual attention.

• While working with a manager, you can freelance with several agents, thereby having access to more auditions.

• Managers generally take a 15% commission off the top.

AN AGENT:

•  Agents are state licensed employment agencies.

• By law, agents cannot take more than a 10% commission. If you only have an agent, you only pay this one commission.

• Can have a small or large number of clients.

Ask Denise: How do I Write a Good Cover Letter?

Q: How do I write a cover letter?

A: Keep it short and sweet!

Here is an example:

Dear Mr. X,

My son, Brandon is 11 years old and loves acting, singing and dancing. He has appeared in numerous local productions, and we believe he is now ready for more professional work.

We live outside of New York City and are willing to travel in for auditions.

We would love an opportunity to meet with you at your convenience.

Please feel free to contact me by email at sallysimon.org or phone me at 345-555-5555.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Sandra Dee (mother of Brandon)