Yes, I'm signed with one agency. The fact that you're signed with 3 agencies should give you an idea why we're going - because my agency only handles NC work. NC doesn't have a ton of work. This is a way to get into (inter)national markets.


Which one did you go to?

My daughter's been on Carolina Talent's list since October, so I see the casting notices constantly. They're just little indie films that don't pay anything...


BTW - since you're such an expert, what's on your resume?

Yeah I was flashing back to history class myself and was all confused about how it ended up here.

I dont remember the name of it--I was 9. I'm just saying, you can pay 500 and MAYBE get some agent, but the big agents usually don't show up to these things. You can contact the good ones without having to participate in talent search things like this.

And NC has a lot of big films come through and GA is starting up as well. A Walk to Remember, One Tree Hill, Nights of Rodanthe, Ya-Ya Sisterhood were/are all filmed through the studios in Wilmington. They often have open castings and use agents within the southeastern region to cast for roles.

Atlanta is in the process of building several sound stages. Recent movies shot in Georgia are The Last Song, Killers, and the series The Vampire Diaries and Drop Dead Diva.

If your daughter's agent is only giving you listings (not actual auditions) for indie films. Try contacting better agents. Most are always looking for new talent. Plus, some will want you to take classes through their own agency and get your headshots or comp card done through a particular photographer. Again, there are much cheaper ways to do this...yes money is involved, but your not wasting 500 bucks on a 'maybe' and you only pay when you get a paycheck from a gig they booked you for.

Alphafrog - What BeeBee is saying is pretty accurate. I don't think that she is trying to be a buzzkill at all.

If this competition is a way for you to showcase your talents, it might be worth it to you, However, you don't have to (or shouldn't have to) pay an agency until they actually find you paying work. I don't know the legitemacy of this competition (and again, exposure is exposure), but there are a lot of scammy places (John Robert Powers is one, so is Barbizon, John Casablancas, and the one that has the setup at the mall - begins with an I).

These places will charge you (they tend to target kids) and you pay all this money for headshots/comp cards you don't need (kids change so quickly, it's a waste for a 4-year old. A lot of younger kids get cast based on snapshots, to tell you the truth), classes (which end up being etiquette classes and little to no instruction in your talent), etc.

ETA - does your agent (legally) subscribe to Breakdown Services? That's the major difference in finding the higher-profile auditions (commercials, television, film, industrials). Of course, non-union has its benefits - more projects mean more chances to actually have a speaking role, exposure in film festivals, and the chance to work with people who are doing it purely out of love of the craft, but many are also low-non paying, have no craft service, poor conditions, etc. Of course, you need to pay your dues. You don't want to join a Union until you are ready.

Alphafrog - do you subscribe to the casting sites (NowCasting, NYCastings, Actor's Access (a lot of indie/smaller jobs) and Mandy? I am sure there are also local boards. Where I am, there are a few specific to my region.

It is possible to self-submit.

Thanks Ree-Xi.

Alphafrog, I'm really not trying to get your hopes up, but seeing people put their hard earned money into something that isnt called for is very common, and I hear it all the time. I work for an agency and so many people start out in the wrong way. Please consider contacting agents in your area AND surrounding areas in regard to signing with them before you invest all of this money into a talent search.

Yes, when I went to one of these things I came out of it with an agent, but it was for modeling which wasnt even what I wanted to do. They were based in NYC, Paris, LA ...no where near where I was from. It was completely unrealistic. Had my mom known that we could have found an agent without going through all of the expense and time of one of these things...we would have gone that route from the beginning. I hope you'll at least consider what I'm saying. :)

You still haven't told me which one of "these things" you went to, or what you've done professionally that qualifies you to give this kind of advice. I'm just trying to make sure we're talking apples to apples and this isn't like someone from a small, private northern school giving SEC rush advice (to use a Greek comparison).

Also, we do get fully audition info/sides, etc when casting notices are sent. Our agency uses 800casting, NowCasting, and ActorsAccess.

Does your agent subscribe to Breakdown services?

PS A great resource for information on the ins and outs of the business are the forums at Backstage.com. You will learn a lot about agents, casting directors, and unions. There is a board specifically geared to child actors as well.

I think they do - I'm not as familiar with what all they do for actors, because my daughter has done more on the modeling side, and I was just invited to sign on the acting side yesterday.:)

Have you done acting before? Have you studied at all? If not, i would suggest taking a few classes (from an acting coach). Even the best "raw" talents could use basic tools like Improv, knowing the differences between acting for the stage and acting in front of a camera, scene study, etc. The most successful actors in my circle take classes every once in a while. I think that group classes are most beneficial unless you are working on something specific (like an audition) and need one-on-one help.

I don't want to assume anything, and I am certainly not an expert, but I wanted to share if it would help you.

PS NYCastings (with an S) has a decent amount of modeling gigs (not sure how old your daughter is).

As I said earlier, I do not remember the name of talent showcase thing I went to...I was 9.

As far as professional work, I got my first agent when I was 9, and started out doing professional theater. After that I primarily worked on independent films in the south but among the productions I've worked on include One Tree Hill, The Marc Pease Experience, and Not Since You. I've also done work on the production side as a production assistant for a few films. I currently work at an agency. So, I know my way around this industry. :)

I'm excited for you, Jessica!!


P.S. What should I do to try and find my BabyBug some modeling jobs? I can't seem to figure out who to go to around here...

I did local theatre in my hometown. In college I did a bunch of productions (Musicals, Broadway Reviews, Operas, and a couple straight plays - although I don't enjoy those as much) and I took some classes (Musical Theatre Group Voice, Opera Workshop, Diction). I've done some local theatre in the Charlotte area. I also sing with the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte (Chorus of the Charlotte Symphony), and the Oratorio Chamber Group. So, no, I'm not COMPLETELY raw talent.;)

My daughter is 5, so she's probably not ready for NY Fashion Modeling.


Winni - I don't know anything about your market there. My agency said mid-summer is the busy season for children here, but I don't know if that applies where you are as well.

I'm not sure you know what "getting someone's hopes up" means, since I don't think you've said anything that would get anyone's hopes up.

Right? More like letting the air out of someone's tires!