Anyone have their kids in modeling?

[marshallandcartersmo]

Let me start off by saying I am not one of those moms that wants to "live through my kids". At a pudgy 5 ft. 2inches, I am hardly modeling material and I never aspired to be one either. However, I have had many people, strangers mostly, ask if my children did any modeling (the 5 y/o especially). One stranger I met at Target even said her son modeled for Old Navy, and my son was better looking than hers!
Anyway, I never thought of sending my children on any try-outs (or whatever the heck they are called) until the lady from Target suggested it. We live in a small town in Tennessee, it's not like we're in NYC!! I would never tell my family/friends about me sending pictures of my boys for try-outs, that way I would keep it as a "no big deal" thing to the boys. How do you go about sending pictures to someone? Who do you send them to? There is an open "cast-call" in a town near by tomorrow by a company named "Highlite", but I don't know a thing about them (or any industry for that matter) and would hate to just go walking in and say "Here are my cute boys, someone take their picture!". For all I know, that's what you do..........
I guess I'm just rambling here, I'll probably just blow it all off and forget about it, but I can't help but wondering "what if"..............

 

[MorganLeFey]

not modelling, but younger dd did some acting when she was 5 years old (made a whopping $1000 during her whole career in commercials).

be wary of scams. you have to pay for the cost of professional photos to be used at auditions, but legitimate agents won't charge any fees up front -- they make their money by collecting a percentage of any income their client earns as a model.

you will need to prepare a resume for your child. it should include his contact information and work experience, if any.


don't expect too much from a cattle call audition.

good luck to your son.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

There is an open "cast-call" in a town near by tomorrow by a company named "Highlite", but I don't know a thing about them (or any industry for that matter) and would hate to just go walking in and say "Here are my cute boys, someone take their picture!"

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff119386.htm

 

[Evil Queen]

If the rip off report above is the same company who approached you, and they ask for money up front, get up and walk out....wait RUN!!

They will try to make you feel guilty and try to get you to hand over the money then. Willing to take a post dated check etc.

I didn't get suckered in to it from that end, but I thought I was going to work for a legit company. What a laugh, they were crooks and I got out after about 2 hours. I knew someone who tried to stick out the "Scout" position. They dang near went broke, and never received any pay from the company.

 

[Evil Queen]

Let me add, if you think your child would like to be a model, there are many good companies out there, just do your research for them.

 

[Sparx]

one of my friends models. This is his picture.

I took that with a disposable camera. so its not his best.

His mother also models.

Thats her.

I just talked to him. he said if they ask for money up front, don't do it. And work through an agency. get a nice portfolio and good luck.

 

[monkeyboy]

It really must be a tough gig


if I had them and loved them they could do whatever

 

[Feralpeg]

My DD has done a little modeling and some acting. We've learned a lot along the way. If you are interested, DD has put togther a website for young prospective actors. She is still working on parts of it, but it has some good advice. A lot of the things apply to modeling as well as acting.

http://www.freewebs.com/youngactortoactor/

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff119386.htm

OMG--That's the name of the place that's coming!! Thank you so much!! I won't even consider going there now.........My cuties will just have to be cuties in my own family pictures.

thanks to all other posters too, and Feralpeg---thanks for the website.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would do a search in your state for reputable agencies. From what I understand about "open casting calls" for modeling--those are not good things to be involved in.

I have been researching around Florida and IF we were to pursue such a thing, I know exactly who to call and by experts in the industry, they discourage the open call stuff.

Check around your state and do some googling and see what you can find.

A friend of mine's son use to model--he is on one of the Ron Jon Surf Shop Billboards along I-95 and did a Ralph Lauren ad and some other stuff. She simply submitted his pre-school photo to an agency and was called. She never even did the whatcha ma callit things--don't recall what they are named--but basically a photo resume. She just used tear sheets (which were final copies of an ad he did) after his first gig.

Good luck!

I'm waiting until DD matures up a bit before pursuing anything again.

 

[barkley]

there is a phenominal difference between being a child model and a child actor. but with both the parent or guardian has to be able and willing, to take a child out of their school setting at the drop of a hat and go to whatever audition beckons. with younger kids, unless you get signed with a reputable agency that will pay for head shots-the recurring cost of having photos done (younger ones change so much what with growth spurts, tooth losses, changes in hair coloring....) you can't submit photos that are outdated.
while a child may have that "model" look-temperment will make or break them. it is a "make money" bsns. after all-so a child that cannot go in, do the session without a great deal of fuss, and get out is not going to be highly marketable.

i've known child models who were successful both regionaly and nationaly, but in both cases the parents had to put the child's career first (before school, before family committments, before any professional things of their own)-they had to be willing and ready to go to the auditions/calls when they happened so that they could maximize exposure and experience. those that have done this have shared that when they started with a child as an infant or toddler model it was'nt so difficult, but once the child got into outside activities, school and such they sometimes felt that was once a "fun" activity for the child became something they had to argue or bargin with their child to attend.

if it's something you're realy interested in it-consider contacting local bsns. (non chain) that do print ads and asking what ad agencies they work with. a call to these agencies can result in being informed as to what "talent" agencies they use for bookings so you can look at the reputable firms out there. some private bsns. or small (localized) chains have their own "in-house" models that do all their print work-in which case you can ask if it is possible to submit a head shot for consideration.

never go with an agency that charges for classes, training sessions and the like-reputable agencies know that they will make money off investing in a potentialy successful model. same goes with "talent agencies"-they may make suggestions regarding acting sessions or workshops, but should never require a "signed talent" to pay for training in house.