The Harsh Truth: If You’re Not Taking Training Seriously, Your Kid Is Just a Hobbyist
The kids who make it aren’t the ones who want it most—they’re the ones who prepare like their life depends on it. Because in this business, it does.
Let’s cut to the chase. Every time your child submits a self-tape, they’re up against kids who have been trained to win. Not kids who “love to act.” Not kids who “memorized their lines well.” But kids whose skills have been sharpened by expert coaching, real-world experience, and a commitment to mastering the craft.
This industry is brutal. It doesn’t hand out participation trophies. Either your kid is ready, or they’re not.
So if you’re serious—really serious—about giving your child a fighting chance in this business, here are training areas you need to prioritize.
1. Being Believable: The Difference Between Working Actors and Wannabes
The single biggest mistake most young actors make? They act.
The truth is, the camera catches everything—every fake moment, every rehearsed inflection, every unnatural pause.
Think about the actors you love watching. The ones who pull you in. They don’t seem like they’re “acting”—they are that character.
How to Fix It:
Find teachers who focus on naturalism, not theatricality.
Train them in conversational acting—where the lines feel like real speech.
Encourage reaction, not performance. They should respond to the scene as if it's actually happening.
Reality check: Casting directors don’t want to see you "perform." They want to see you disappear into the role so completely, they forget it's acting.
Game Changer Class
Get honest feedback, while learning the ways to bring realism to on-camera acting. You will see a total transformation.
HURRY STARTS FRIDAY!
2. Emotional Awareness: Not Faking It
Kids who pretend to feel an emotion don’t book. Kids who genuinely connect with emotions do.
Great actors don’t “act sad” or “show excitement”—they feel it. They have the ability to tap into real emotions because they understand what emotions are.
How to Build Emotional Depth:
Teach them more than just “happy/sad/mad.” Expand their emotional vocabulary.
Understand Empathy and the vulnerability of actually feeling what others feel.
Create a safe space where they can analyze themselves
Truth bomb: If a child doesn’t understand their own emotions, how can they possibly bring them to a role?
Digging Deep to learn EI
This class teaches actors how to connect & feel characters feelings through the act of empathy. Self reflection and observation are key tools as well.
3. Charisma: A Superpower That Can Be Taught
Charisma is what makes casting directors lean forward in their seats. It’s that intangible quality that makes some young actors instantly likable, engaging, and memorable.
The "It Factor" come from:
• Confidence—knowing their worth and being comfortable in their own skin.
• Energy control—knowing when to be expressive and when to dial it down.
• Authenticity—being a real, interesting person, not a rehearsed performer.
Casting directors aren’t looking for a generic kid who says the lines correctly. They’re looking for someone they can’t take their eyes off of.
Making Friends & Fans
The most important skill that is underdeveloped in so many, but easy to harness. Once you do, doors open!
Recurring Dates
4. Bold Choices: Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness
Here’s a brutal reality: hundreds of kids show up who can “say the lines well.” The ones who get remembered are the ones who make bold, specific choices.
A bold choice isn’t about being weird. It’s about making the role their own.
How to Train for Boldness:
Teach them to ask, “Who is this character, really?”
Have them try multiple interpretations of the same scene.
Celebrate creative risks—even the ones that don’t land.
If they play it safe, they’ll blend in. If they blend in, they won’t book.
Don’t Blend In
Whatever you do, create opportunities to be distinct and memorable. Learning how to make strategic bold choices and unique characters.
STARTS MARCH 10
5. Self-Tape Savvy: Making A Mini Movie
Self-tapes are no longer a “sometimes” thing. They are the audition process now. If your child doesn’t know how to work the frame, create authentic connection, and stand out on camera, they’re dead in the water.
How to Nail Self-Tapes:
Learn to create authentic connections with off-camera readers
Understand how to use the frame effectively
Focus on the doing (action) scenes are about behavior, not just dialogue
Elevate material off the page, making even simple scenes compelling
A good self-tape should be so engaging that the casting director can’t stop watching.
6. Seek Honest Feedback To Fast-Track Growth
If your child can’t take criticism, they will not improve.
The most successful actors aren’t the ones who were always great—they’re the ones who took direction, made adjustments, and got better.
How to thicken skin and succeed:
Find teachers and coaches who provide truthful feedback from a place of care
Understand that critique is about the work, not a personal attack
Celebrate improvements that come from applying feedback
Comforting lies don’t book roles. Honest feedback does.
Q: My child is great at memorizing lines but struggles with emotions. How can I help?
A: Encourage them to connect with the emotions behind the lines rather than just saying words. Journaling, watching emotionally rich movies, and practicing “what if†scenarios can help them tap into real feelings.
Q: How do I help my child stop overacting?
A: Record their performances and watch them together. If their acting feels big or unnatural, have them practice a more grounded approach by using a conversational tone and focusing on thinking the lines rather than ‘performing’ them.
Q: My child has no confidence in auditions. Any tips?
A: Confidence comes with preparation! The more they practice, the better they’ll feel. Also, remind them that auditions are just opportunities to show their take on a characters it is not about “winning” the role every time.
Q: How can I make my child’s self-tapes look more professional?
A: Good lighting, a clean background, and clear audio make a huge difference. Make sure they’re well-lit, using a neutral backdrop, and that their voice is easy to hear.
Q: What’s the best way to find acting classes that focus on these skills?
A: Look for on-camera acting classes that emphasize realistic performance techniques, scene study, and self-tape training. There classes available within the Child Actor 101 community. Avoid overly theatrical programs if their goal is TV and film.
