Submitting a Child Actor to an Agent or Manager for Representation
Once upon a time, a manilla envelope with a couple cute photos and an Ill-formatted resume sent to a list of Talent Reps would be all that was needed to get a meeting. Once in the door it was all up to the showmanship of the kid and hopefully the best behavior of the parent to secure a contract to be signed.
No envelopes needed!
We are in the digital age.
Submission requirements have changed quite a bit in the past decade. Thanks to technology, you can save some money on postage and photo prints. With the click of a button you can send an email directly to Agents and Managers, bypassing the receptionist who opens envelopes and haphazardly screens the submissions. Now with Social Media added to the equation we are in a new ballgame. Once Talent Reps were elusive and impossible to reach, now they are responding to Instagram messages and connecting in forums.
It takes a little more than a photo to get interest from an office nowadays. Photos are ubiquitous and varying in quality. The smartphone has created false confident photographers that do not know what elements are crucial in an attention-getting headshot. A professional headshot is not technically necessary in submitting to Agents and Managers, but a properly framed, well lit snapshot is. A good rule of thumb is to send at least three photos showing range. An energetic smile commercial shot, a non-smile confident, thoughtful theatrical shot and another photo showing some diversity in look or type.
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If a child has zero performance experience then a resume is not demanded. Nobody expects a young child to have a lot of credits or training. A cover letter is extremely important to always include, especially when a resume is absent. Be sure to be brief and include facts that are relevant to the needs of a Talent Rep. Disclose a kid’s passion, personality and aptitude for success in performing arts. Touch on the availability and support the family is able to provide while pursuing a career in TV and film. Do not lie or exaggerate ever, it will come back to haunt you and disappoint an agent down the line.
A video is now the most important addition to a submission package. Reps need to see a kid’s talent and personality on-camera. If a child is under seven, this video could be as simple as a sample commercial script reading and a one minute interview where they show energy and their unique charm. For older kids a taped scene or monologue would be the minimum needed. It is preferable to show comedic and dramatic skill. A memorized, natural read will be suitable to show they are ready to explore acting professionally. Keep the videos brief - about a minute each. Never attach a video file, always send a password-free hosted link. YouTube and Vimeo are free and common platforms. Or a cloud uploaded link from WeTransfer is an alternative as well.
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Luckily for parents who are members of the Facebook Child Actor 101 group there is an amazing free opportunity coming soon. Once a year, the moderators host an online open call for child actors seeking representation. The staggering, impressive list of agents and managers is inclusive of Los Angeles, NYC and a slew of regional offices in production hubs such as Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Georgia and Illinois. The potential reach each submission gets is unheard of. Absolutely no gimmicks or charges are woven into this opportunity. And a lengthy list of success stories exist due to these efforts.
Coming soon!
Over a hundred youth agents and managers will have access to submissions.
If you feel your child is ready to take the next step in their budding career, then getting a full package ready is essential.
