7 Ways for Aspiring Teen Film Actors To Get Involved in High School and Local Theatre Programs

It seems that many young, aspiring film actors believe they can’t begin their career until they’ve moved to Hollywood, which, of course, means after they’ve graduated. Yet this notion couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many of today’s biggest movie stars began their acting training in local Thespian Troupes and high school drama departments.

Acting for the stage and acting for the silver screen are not two entirely separate crafts; there are many skills that are common to both efforts. Thus, if you’re a young actor of any kind, the best thing you can do while completing your vital high school education is to get as deeply involved in local theatre as possible. The stage could very well be your ticket to the studios.

Casting directors look for child and teen actors with ample stage experience, while universities look for applicants who are dedicated to extracurricular activities, clubs and the International Thespian Society (more about ITS in tip seven).

So here are seven ways to utilize high school and local theatre programs to hone your craft and develop your confidence, to help prepare you a killer college application and to build an impressive acting resume that could open the right doors for you in Hollywood.

1. If you’re not already taking drama classes at school, sign up for theatre immediately.

Learn everything you can about acting techniques for the stage. By becoming a well-trained theatre actor, you will take direction more easily, understand cues and impress casting directors at film auditions.

2. Join any afterschool drama clubs available at your school.

I’m sure you’ve heard by now that universities look for students who have been deeply involved in extracurricular activities. By joining your theatre or drama club, you will not only get to work with other young actors and immerse yourself in the acting world, you will also be significantly improving your college application. And chances are, if you love acting, you’ll have a ton of fun in your high school drama club!

3. Audition! Try out for as many plays as your schedule will allow.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not immediately cast as Romeo or Juliette. If you’re auditioning, practicing and participating in your high school plays, you are learning to act – which is the name of the game.

So get out there and be bold! After you’ve auditioned a few times (and played a few roles!) you’ll begin getting comfortable with theatre. Learning to memorize lines, understanding scripts and becoming a confident stage actor will only help you when it comes time to audition for film.

4. Learn everything you can about performing on stage… and what goes on backstage.

Becoming a great actor also means becoming an expert in the drama industry. It’s not enough to simply deliver your lines and know your placement. To set yourself above the rest of the world’s fierce competition, you must try to understand all that goes into stage production: lighting, sound, direction, music, casting and set, costume and makeup design.

The more you know, the more successful you will be once you do reach Los Angeles. Hollywood directors are hungry for young actors who have already learned the ropes of stage acting and whom they don’t have to handhold through the process of learning film acting. So set yourself ahead of the pack and become an informed, knowledgeable thespian.

5. Research the theatre companies and acting schools in your town – and get involved!

One of the worst things you can do is to limit your acting possibilities by telling yourself you are only a “film actor”. Above all, movie-casting directors love versatile, adaptable, well-trained and intelligent young actors. So do your best to become one!

Be diligent in your investigation and look up regional theatre directories at your local community center and cultural affairs office. Keep up with the arts and culture section of your local newspapers and magazines to stay informed on the various workshops and events available to thespians in your area.

Then don’t hesitate to go to these venues and introduce yourself to whoever is in charge of the play. If they’re not looking for young actors at the moment, at least they’ll know you’re available if a part does come up. And you can always volunteer to help backstage! By getting involved anyway that you can, you’ll continue to learn about acting and production.

6. Participate in your area’s community plays and theatre festivals.

You’re already staying up-to-date on all of the film festivals and movies being shot in your area… right!?! (If not, you should be!) So do the same for all of the stage acting opportunities for thespians, too. Again, don’t limit your acting possibilities by claiming you’re only a “film actor” – just be an actor! Take a part whenever and wherever you can.

This might even mean volunteering at a Renaissance Fair, at a Shakespeare Festival, at a kids puppet show at the public library, during Christmas at your church or even at a convalescent home to cheer up the elderly.

Everything that you can get involved with now will not only look great on your college application and your actor’s resume, it will help you further develop into a brave, competent and talented actor. Without those three traits, making it in Hollywood will be nearly impossible. So start honing these skills today!

7. Once you’ve completely immersed yourself in all of the theatre acting possibilities at school and in town, apply to your high school’s International Thespian Society troupe.

The International Thespian Society is a prestigious honorary society for grades 9-12; and membership is earned through a point system. There are over 3,600 troupes in the U.S., Canada and abroad. The mission of the ITS troupes is to honor student excellence in the theatre arts and to help further develop, support and educate young thespians.

Being accepted into ITS is the pinnacle of success for high school theatre actors. Membership will drastically help your college applications and set you up as a serious, well-trained actor – which again, Hollywood directors love and seek. To find out if you school has an International Thespian Society troupe, and to learn more about the membership point system, visit http://schooltheatre.org/society.

So go forth young actors and find out everything you can about your school and community theatre programs. Don’t merely wait to move to Hollywood “someday” to begin your acting career. Start today and get involved!

Exciting Summer News at YAC!

Hey Young Actors!

We have great news! Guess who will be joining us at this year’s Glee Experience? ZENDAYA COLEMAN! Yep! How cool is that? We’re so excited to welcome Zendaya who found big success on the hit Disney show “Shake it up!” – which you’ll hear all about this summer at YAC!

Take a look at all the cool things that Zendaya is up to and http://zendaya.com/ and meet her in person at the Glee Experience!

Meet Hollywood Celebrities Like Joey Lawrence!

Hey Young Actors!

Just a quick note to let you know that if you haven’t already done so, you must get your applications in for camp immediately!

We’ll be announcing the Hollywood celebrity guests visiting YAC very soon and once we do, EVERY space will fill up right away.

These big-time stars will be coming to us from Disney, Nickelodeon and from many of your favorite TV shows and movies. It’s going to be a fantastic experience that you don’t want to miss!

So if you’re wondering how to spend your summer and you’re dreaming of succeeding on the silver screen, get your applications in to Young Actors Camp today!

There’s no other place on Earth where you can spend time with your favorite celebs learning the inside scoop of the Hollywood film and television acting industries. YAC will get you into places that no other organization can – the field trips to studios and sets are going to be awesome.

Get your applications in and while you’re doing so, let your parents know that YAC has a fantastic Parent Camp, too – and this year, it’s hosted by former child star, Joey Lawrence! We’re very excited about this at YAC.

During this two-day weekend event, Joey will introduce current and former child stars who will recount their path to success and the tribulations they faced in Hollywood’s film and television industries. Parents and siblings of child stars will also discuss how the pursuit of one family member’s dream affects the entire family unit.

Additionally, important logistical details for a successful child film career will be covered, including relocation tips, tax and legal advice and how to pursue local film work and acting training – the weekend will be packed full of really useful information that parent’s will be very thankful to have.

A guest panel, comprised of film agents and managers for child actors and casting directors from hit TV family shows, will also provide valuable advice on how to navigate your way through the film and television industry with confidence.

This is a very unique experience that the whole family will benefit from. So don’t forget to tell you parents about Parent Camp!

Young actors – get your applications in before the celebrity guests are announced and camp sells out!

Want to Be a Great Comedy Actor? Learn the Secrets Behind the Laughter!

Although you may think comedic actors make you laugh because they’re especially talented and naturally funny, in reality, they’ve studied and practiced their trade long and hard.

Successful comedy isn’t merely about saying something hilarious; it’s about delivering a line at precisely the right beat, pausing for an appropriate amount of time and physically controlling your body in a manner that appears out-of-control. And above all, you must look completely natural while doing so.

Comedic acting may very well be the most difficult performance art to learn, but also the most rewarding to master. Therefore actors must approach comedy like any other fine craft – with dedication, fortitude, confidence and perseverance.

So if you believe you too would love feeling the immense joy that comes with inspiring crowds to roar with laughter, you must begin diligently studying and practicing the following techniques. We must get you ready for the show!

First, it’s crucial to understand what exactly comedy is. What makes us laugh so hard?

Before we delve into the techniques of comedic acting, it’s important to discuss what makes a comedy a comedy (you may be surprised by the irony). Comedy is about suffering. That’s right – pain, sadness, tragedy, and injustices are all the perfect foundations for a funny story. (I told you it was ironic!)

The old adage, “you’ll either laugh or cry,” couldn’t be truer when it comes to comedy. The more a character is in trouble, the funnier it is to watch – hence the term “comedy of errors.” Desperation, unpredictability and deep situational entanglements force protagonists to solve improbable (and often crazy) situations with exaggerated (and hilarious) solutions.

The rough and daunting experiences characters find themselves forced to face are exactly what keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, cringing, wincing, screaming, howling and smiling from ear to ear. In essence, comedy is laughing at someone else’s expense – the character’s suffering.

Yet, the final and most important element of every comedy – and the one that sets it apart from drama – is that comedies always have a happy ending. (Yay! The character is saved from the madness!)

So how do young actors learn how to be funny?

You must develop your own funny personality. Be unique!

Think about the all of the successful comedians you know. They all have a distinctive personality, don’t they? Every time you see a movie staring Will Farrell, you instantly recognize his one-of-a-kind mannerisms and characteristics. By perfecting his unique comedic shtick, Will has become hugely popular. If you can achieve the same thing, you will be on your way up the comedic ladder.

But how do you do this? How do you develop a distinguishing and recognizable, “funny man” personality? Well first of all, don’t merely think in terms of “funny man or funny woman.” Very often, comedy is about opposites; every comedy must have a straight man and a clown.

Which do you think your natural personality falls in line with – the character who throws the pie, or the one who gets hit with the pie? Are you silly, sarcastic, quirky or quick? Do you have a dry sense of humor or are you over-the-top and physically funny?

To become a successful comedian, you must find your innate sense of humor and then develop it. So take some time to decide who your comedic personality will be (take notes, sketch it out, brainstorm). And don’t forget, people get very tired of “the same old thing” – unusual, unconventional, surprising and new always wins!

Practice physical humor – one of the oldest traditions in comedy.

Even before Vaudeville, actors were using their bodies to move in ways that’d make crowds double over with laughter. And once again, physical humor usually comes in the form of folly (cartoons like Looney Tunes are a true testament to this – that poor Wile E. Coyote!). Whether the character happens to stub their toe, get nailed by a passing bird or even hit by a bus, if the scene is framed correctly, there will be laughter.

Therefore you must learn the very tricky skill of looking like you’re in terrible pain when you’re really not. Some professionals equate the difficulty of these techniques to stage combat – and the only way to master “a dance” is through repetition. You must practice these scenes over and over again. (Which we’ll discuss further in our final tip.)

Learn to give up control. Forget who you are and become your character.

To be a fantastic actor (comedic or dramatic), you must utterly lose yourself in your role. Act through every pore and every inch of your mind, body and soul. By letting go, you will appear authentic; and that’s the most an actor can ever do, look completely natural.

Do your absolute best not to over-act. Don’t try to be funny. Don’t fake it. Don’t get embarrassed. Don’t expect laughs by over-exaggerating your facial expressions. If the script is well written and funny, then the laughs will come – do not force them! One of the worst errors a comedic actor can make is to anticipate laughter.

You must trust your training and your talent. You must believe in the power of the script; and you must believe that the situation you’re in (the scene) is real. Let the moment take over, and BE your character.

Understand timing and the script. (This is vital!)

Timing: Although we just discussed not anticipating laughter, a very important aspect of comedic timing is pausing for the audience to laugh (that is, if they are laughing). Young or novice actors often get nervous and roll through the pauses, forcing the crowd to either stop laughing or left wondering what they just missed in the dialogue. The amount of time that you should pause for laughter comes with practice and experience.

In fact, perfecting timing in general comes with practice. It can be different for every actor and become a distinctive element of your character’s unique personality traits. You’ll need to find your own natural sense of when to deliver jokes, when to pause, when to exaggerate and when to restrain yourself. If you trust in your training and your talent, an organic sense of comedic timing will come.

Script: If you’re not actually doing improvisation, DON’T improvise. Comedic writers are hired for a reason – they’re master wordsmiths who understand every element needed for a successful script. Writers work tirelessly on word choice and punctuation placement. You must study a script’s punctuation very closely – using each symbol as a signal.

Make full stops at periods, pause at commas and don’t change a question mark to a period or vice versa – it completely changes the meaning of the sentence. Don’t add on words to your sentences like, “Well,” “So,” “I mean,” “I’m just, “Like,” “You know” or any other unnecessary words that clutter the language and distract from the comedic cadence. Stay true to the original script and study its every detail. Many times writers will underline or identify words that deserve greater enunciation or a specific beat – pay close attention to these notes and your performance will be a bigger success.

Practice staying in the moment by doing Improv.

As we now know, milking the audience for a laugh is one of the fastest ways a comedic actor can kill audience laughter. Therefore approaching each line as if it were the first time you’d said it is a huge part of “being funny.” It gives the scene authenticity and spontaneity – and one of the best ways to practice this technique is by doing improvisation.

As its name suggests, improv is about coming up with lines on the spot (much like life itself). Here, actors are forced to stay in the moment and deliver dialogue in an organic fashion. Great improv is difficult, thus extremely valuable. It teaches actors to stay on their toes, to try new approaches, to develop an innate sense of timing and to have fun with the audience!

Learn from professionals! There’s no substitute for hands-on experience.

No matter how much you read about comedic acting, watch comedy and practice in front of the mirror, you must get professional training. During comedy acting classes, camps and workshops, you’ll not only learn techniques from the masters, you’ll also have a chance to perform in front of real audiences. This practice is invaluable. There’s no other way to perfect the art of natural timing and physical humor than by performing with other actors in front of large groups of people.

By getting involved in acting camp, like Hollywood’s Young Actors Camp, you’ll get important feedback from professionals and peers, learn what people think really is funny, gain a strong sense of timing and beat, and build a strong foundation of knowledge and confidence – all of which is vital to success as a comedy actor.

But above all, don’t ever give up your dream! Live and breathe comedy day and night. Get professional headshots taken and begin volunteering in local films and plays. Ensure you’re completely prepared for casting calls and auditions, and when the time comes to try out for a comedy, fight for your rightful place in Hollywood’s next big funny movie.

After all, there’s no business like show business!

I Want to Be a Hollywood Actor, but my Parents Don’t Support my Dream.

For good reason, parents often believe that their child’s dream to become a Hollywood actor is just that, a dream.

Yet, I can already hear you (the young actor) saying, “But it’s not a dream! I can do it! I have the dedication that it takes. I’m talented and I will work really hard for it!”

If this is the case, great – because that’s exactly what you’re going to need to succeed. You’re going to need to work really hard for it (in your local area first) to prove to your parents that your big dream is actually a realistic goal that you can and will accomplish. Because you can!

But in order to present a realistic case to your parents, you must build up their trust and confidence but showing them, not telling them, that you can do it.

You must prove that you are worthy of the journey, that you understand the long road ahead, and that your parent’s hard-earned money will not be spent on a mere “hobby.”

So let’s discuss how to do this, but first, let’s look at why your parents may not be supporting your dream. It’s very important to step into their shoes for a moment.

It’s crucial that as a young actor you understand what your parents are thinking and feeling.

Being young is an amazing thing (as I’m sure you’re reminded all of the time by your elders). As a young actor, you have your whole life ahead of you and you see big things happening in the future – which is great!

But you must understand that your parents have a different perspective on life – they may have already experienced failure, disappointment, financial fear and the reality that in life you must often do what you need to do, and not necessarily what you want to do.

Your parents may have seen friends spend their youth and early adulthood working toward an artistic passion only to wake up one day stricken by the reality that it won’t pay the bills, and now they don’t have a viable skill to fall back on.

These friends now want a house, a family, vacations, nice clothes and dinners out. Yet, without proper education, they have no way of attaining these things. They were not practical in their youth and therefore, don’t have a decent job as an adult.

These friends end up struggling, ill prepared for the world’s harsh realities: life is expensive and financial security is not an easy feat.

Your parents don’t want this to happen to you – they want you safe and well cared for; they don’t want you to wind up scared, stressed and full of regret.

This is why they want you to have a tangible goal that they are certain will set you up for a secure life – they want the best for you.

I hear you saying again, “But acting is what’s best for me. I don’t want, or need, anything else. This is all I want to do. I will be successful and be able to support myself.” If this is how you feel, that’s wonderful! There really are people who make a living acting, but you must have serious dedication, perseverance, training and talent.

You will not end up Miley Cyrus overnight (her dad was already big in show-business and she has incredible natural talent – so auditions were simpler to get).

But you work hard enough, there is a chance you could become a professional actor who lands consistent roles that pay enough to live comfortably.

Here’s how:

• Start learning and training on your own: be self-directed! Don’t expect your parents to immediately pay for your acting training or a personal acting couch. Prove to them that you’re serious before they have to spend money.

• Learn as much as you can at school, in community theatre programs and online. There are free online workshops open to any experience level. Most provide individual feedback.

• Read as much as you can about the process of becoming an actor. Read studio websites, trusted technique books, forums and blogs… like this one!

• Take a look at our blog post How to Help Your Child Become an Actor in Six Easy Steps for more information about how to get involved as an actor.

Get as much local acting experience as possible.

Learn everything that you can about acting…locally. Go to as many auditions as you can in your area. You’re going to want to take what you can to begin building your experience, resume and credibility.

• Join the drama club at school and participate in plays (even if your goal is to be a film actor. You still need to learn the technique).

• Volunteer at colleges and universities in you area. Ask if there are any film or advertising students that need young actors. This is great for your reel.

• Join your speech and debate team. Every chance you can get to improve your public speaking will help improve your composure.

Again you want to prove to yourself and your parents that this is more than an “idea or dream”. Show them how dedicated you are.

Write your resume and start building a reel.

You absolutely need a resume if you want to act in the movies – so begin building one. Search online for a professional template and devise a plan to gain experience to fill in the gaps. There are plenty of online resources to explain exactly what you need to do. So do it!

Try to ask your drama teacher to proofread it – you must have your resume read by an adult! (Directors don’t like errors ☹). If you have a teacher read it and then take it to your parents when it’s complete, they’ll be so impressed!

Find an acting agent…in your area.

Once you have a substantial resume and plenty of acting experience, it’s wise to find an acting agent or talent agency. It won’t cost you a dime! Acting agents only get paid when YOU get paid.

With an agent you’ll find more roles, further prove to your parents your dedication to serious acting and look more professional and successful to casting directors.

But don’t get discouraged if an acting agent doesn’t pick you up at the beginning of your career; you’re going to need a considerable resume before submitting to them.

To read more about how to find a kids’ casting director, read our blog post The Process of Finding a Children’s Acting Agent – Simplified!

If you are able to land an agent, this will be a huge step toward proving to your parents that acting is a real career for you – because it truly can be! If you work hard enough to cross all of these bridges you could have an agent negotiating paying contracts for you. Your parents will love that! And they’ll love that you’re saving it for university too – right?!

Work really hard in school. Do your best in ALL of your studies. Get excellent grades!

If you can prove to your parents that you’re serious about your academics, they’ll be much more willing to take your “hobby” seriously (while you begin to prove to them that this is actually your career).

Plus, casting directors love bright minds, responsible students and young actors dedicated to learning (every acting role requires you to learn something new – that’s the fun of it!)

And if you’re going to apply for a drama scholarship, (which you are!) then you’ll need perfect grades. Let’s face it, as a kid, your job in life right now is to get good grades. You have to prove your extracurricular activities are NOT hurting your studies…before you can gain more leeway and financial assistance (like summer acting camp at YAC!).

So take school very seriously. Your future depends on it!

Have a long-term plan for your education that you can lay out to your parents.

Your parents will be much more willing to invest in your acting aspirations if they know that you are still going to college – which you ARE. Ideally, you must continue your acting education at university, where you will further your craft and build other skills. (If you change your mind about acting, you will need a degree to keep your options open.)

Most of the talented and successful screen actors studied at leading universities (like Jennifer Connolly for example, who was a child star in Labyrinth, went to Columbia University in NYC – even after she was a big star.)

So speak to your parents about your plans to get a drama education and which theatre or film scholarships you’re looking into – that is of course after you have done all of the research. If you don’t know where to begin looking for drama schools and scholarships, ask your school advisor and theatre teacher; they should be able to help you.

Show your parents that you are very serious about getting educated as an actor, and that you always have something else to fall back on – your college degree.

Never give up on your acting dreams!

Although your parents may be reluctant to move to Hollywood right now to get you into the movies, you will become your own adult soon enough.

Do what you can to build your career in your town and nearest city now, and when you’re old enough to spread your wings, you can make your own way to tinsel town. It’s all up to you!

Great Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Performing Arts Camp

So you’re thinking about sending your young performer or actor off to camp? Very cool!

It’s a big decision though, isn’t it? Are you a little nervous about sending them away for a few weeks? Is it their first time? We completely understand that this can be an anxiety provoking experience – sending the kids off to their first overnight stay at camp.

Yet, by knowing what to look for in a good performing arts camp, you’ll sleep easy when your little actor is away on their first big adventure.

That’s why we’ve created this list of things to look for in each summer camp that you’re researching:

1. What are the camp facilities like? What kind of sleeping arrangements are offered? Are the dorms coed? What are the bathroom facilities like?

2. Who is the camp director and how much experience do they have in this roll? Do previous campers have good things to say about them?

3. What kind of security system is in place? Is there a full-time or part-time chaperone? Do they sleep in with the kids? How many chaperones per actor?

4. What kind of transportation is used: carpools, shuttles, buses with or without seatbelts? How old will the drivers be?

5. What kind of food is served, and who prepares it? How many meals and snacks are provided each day? Is there vegetarian food available, and other special arrangements for campers with specific dietary restrictions? Is fast-food the norm?

6. What is the daily routine? Is there a naptime for kids under a certain age? How many hours per day are kids on the move? How much downtime is offered? Is there a telephone and computer where kids can get in touch with me?

7. What is the camp’s philosophy and purpose – fun, education, entertainment or career prep? What do the actors leave camp with? (A reel, resume, specific experiences?)

8. What kinds of kids have previously attended this performing arts camp? Is there any way to speak to them – and their parents – to find out whether they liked camp or not? (Try looking into online forums for opinions too.)

9. Where do the young actors practice performing: stage, green screen, film, video or publicly? Is there a performance at the end of camp that parents, friends and relatives can attend? Is the camp competitive or are all young actors offered equal treatment and participation?

10. What kind of medical facilities and medical staff are available on camp; and how far is the nearest hospital? Are performing arts camp chaperones trained in First Aid and CPR?

Don’t feel badly about asking each camp a lot of questions. A legitimate and well-run acting camp understands that your child’s safety and wellbeing is paramount.

Hopefully once you’ve had all of these questions sufficiently answered, you’ll feel very comfortable letting your budding young star run off toward his or her dreams (at least for a few weeks that is!).

Quality performing arts camps are not only great fun; they’re a valuable acting experience that any young performer will benefit from.

Kids will walk away from a great acting camp with more confidence, valuable performance training, broader career knowledge, new friends and a huge smile. They’ll thank you for the time of their life!

I’m a Young Actor – How Do I Audition For Disney?

When children think of making it big as an actor, they often think of performing on the Disney Channel and in Disney films. Which is a great dream.

However, big dreams should be accompanied by realistic goals. Making it at Disney does not happen overnight; it is a process that takes work and dedication.

Getting “discovered” is about auditioning as a well-trained, experienced actor who knows how to perform and handle herself in front of casting directors and the camera.

Sure you can visit Disney.com and find the open casting calls and show up hoping for the best, but without experience, you’ll probably end up with the worst – embarrassment and disappointment.

So we’ve dedicated this article to your preparation to audition at Disney. You must prepare, prepare, prepare: here’s how:

Build up your actor’s resume (and get great headshots).

Disney casting directors will inevitably look at your resume before they ever give you a glance; they want to see that you have A LOT of previous acting experience.

Auditioning for Disney is extremely competitive and fast-paced. Directors weed out the “amateurs” as quickly as possible; so don’t walk in looking like an amateur.

To build an impressive resume, begin participating in as much community and school theatre as possible.

Get the best training you can find and afford – for, both, stage and film.

Hire a private drama and acting couch, join a theatre program and even participate in your debate and speech club at school. (Any speaking instruction will add to your performing arts knowledge.)

Volunteer your acting skills!

Don’t hesitate to volunteer as much as you can (getting paid nothing now can pay off big later). Go to your local university and volunteer to act in student films and commercials; film and advertising students are constantly looking for actors.

Look for music videos that you can participate in.

If you’re planning to audition at Disney, you’re going to need singing and dancing talent (which you most likely already know – and hopefully do). Continue to improve these valuable skills by utilizing them in real life situations – singing and dancing around the living room will not be enough.

Do everything you can to build a reel that will accompany your full resume.

Learn absolutely as much as you can in your own area before making the big trek to Disney. The more you audition now, the more comfortable you’ll be when it comes time to perform at Disney.

After you feel you have ample training and experience, and great headshots and an impressive resume, congratulations – you’re ready for the next step!

It’s now time to audition for Disney!

To begin, look for audition lists online at disney.com and disneychannel.com. If you have an agent, put them on the search; they should have access to SAG directories and other listings. (If you don’t have an acting agent and would like to find one, read our blog post The Process of Finding a Children’s Acting Agent – Simplified.)

Then be selective in determining which roles you would be most suited for.

It’s not a good idea to audition for roles that you think you might be good in; only audition for roles that you know you’ll be good in. Casting directors often search for a very specific look, and if you don’t fall into that category, you’re wasting your time.

Once you’ve found an ideal audition and feel completely prepared to knock ‘em dead with your experience and technique, then it’s show time.

Here are some helpful dos and don’ts for Disney auditioning day:

• Research absolutely everything ahead of time. Print out a map of the audition location and leave with at least an hour leeway – being too early only means you have more time to rehearse your lines.

• Wear professional clothing that is age-appropriate; casting directors are not looking for the next Jonbenet. So don’t overdo the hair and makeup and wear “pop star” ensembles – after all, you’re trying out for a children’s part.

• Bring plenty of copies of your resume, headshot and reel. Have everything printed on quality paper and have it organized and prepared in a tidy case (folded and crumpled papers in a backpack come out looking like old homework – not good).

• Have a snack or lunch prepared. You may have to wait a long time and a hungry actor is not a happy actor. You need your full brainpower for any impromptu scenes that you may have to perform.

• Read at your normal performance volume. Don’t get extra nervous because it’s Disney. You must try to stay as calm, collected and poised as possible. Casting directors like children who speak clearly and don’t rush their lines. Remember: kids speak much quicker to each other than adults do. Slow down. Don’t rush your lines believing it will impress them – it won’t.

• Be polite, professional, respectful and patient: no one wants to work with a complainer or a “princess”. Acting is a serious business and Disney is a serious company. Although you are embarking on a career much earlier than most people, this is your career, and you need to approach it like a job…not a hobby.

• Don’t look down. Always, always look up and toward the direction of the casting director. Looking down reflects insecurity and confusion.

• Expect the unexpected. Do you watch much reality TV? (Hopefully not – there’s no acting to learn from there!) But if do, you’ll know that directors love to add an element of surprise. This holds true for kid’s acting auditions too. Disney casting directors love to see how much improve, impromptu and direction a young actor can handle. If this happens at your Disney audition, just do your best and follow their direction exactly as announced. Don’t improvise direction that’s already been given.

• Never ask when you’ll know if you got the part. If there are 200 kids auditioning for the part, the last thing the casting director wants to do is answer the same question 200 times. If the director wants you back, they’ll definitely call you. The waiting game is hard, but it’s all part of the biz.

Above all, have fun! And be proud of yourself!

It’s an amazing accomplishment to make it to a Disney audition. So give yourself a big pat on the back for having the courage and gumption to make it this far.

And if you don’t get this part, don’t worry!

Maybe you’ll get the next one. Keep trying! The more you audition, the more you’ll know next time around. Every audition is a powerful learning experience preparing you for the next one. Best of luck!

The Process of Finding a Children’s Acting Agent – Simplified!

If your young actor is serious about becoming a professional in the film industry, it’s vital that they have an agent.

Although finding an acting agent may seem like a daunting task, after reading this article you’ll have a clear idea of which steps to take. So read on!

Why does your young actor need an agent? What is the agent’s role?

An acting agent has three primary roles:

• To guide actors through their career
• To find auditions and roles
• To negotiate the terms of conditions for each job

Qualified acting agents belong to the Screen Actors Guild Franchise, which provides access to daily lists of projects that actors can audition for.

Agents keep a close eye on the roles that are right for your child and notify you when it’s time to audition.

In essence, a children’s acting agent is your guide, your researcher and your attorney. They help young actors get parts, get publicized and get paid.

So where do you find acting agents for kids?

The key to finding the right agent for your young actor is to do A LOT of research. You must be diligent in finding all of the agents in your area that you’d like to submit to.

If your young actor wants to make it big, they should start small and build their career from the bottom up – at home. This is not an overnight process.

You do not need to live in New York or Los Angeles to find an agent – there are agents in every area. So start local.

1. Start by looking for local agents in directories like www.kidscastingcallpro.com. Make lists of all of your possibilities; research agent’s personal websites for success stories, awards and SAG membership.
2. Ask around. Talk to your local acting schools, drama departments and industry friends who may know people in the business. Finding the ideal acting agent, as well as great auditions, is often about networking. So don’t be shy!
3. Call your local SAG or AFTRA offices and ask about full service acting agencies in your area that you can apply to.
4. Spend some time searching agents in Google. Although this can often feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate through the spam, it can definitely pay off.
5. Read everything you can on local acting possibilities (magazines, newspaper classifieds, websites, etc.) and take part (even if your child is not taking part. There may be scouts at these events that you can introduce your young star to.

The important point here is to create as thorough of a list of prospective agents as you can.

You want to know EVERY possible agent in your area, in addition to the lay of the land. Become an expert of your local acting scene – it will pay off!

Once you have a great list of possible agents – what comes next?

Prepare! After you’ve determined which agents you’d like to meet with, rank them in order of whom you think will fit best with you and your young actor.

Next, you must create a professional and impressive press kit to deliver in person to each acting agent. (Learn how to prepare your headshots and press kit in our blog post: How to Become a Child Actor – Learn What it Takes to Make It!)

Delivering your press kit through email or by post often won’t suffice. Acting agents are busy people and your package may get pushed to the bottom of the pile.

Physically going into each agency is a wise idea; there may be a chance that you can meet the agent face-to-face.

If the agent isn’t available, you’ll at least get to speak to an assistant or receptionist who will hopefully forward your kit along and put in a word for you like, “An interesting or beautiful young actor came into today. I think you should take a look at their headshots.” (Always bring your young actor with you!)

Also, taking the time to stop by each agency will give you a good idea about what level of sophistication and professionalism they offer. Be selective and skeptical – make sure the office is legitimate and trust worthy, which brings us to our final tips.

Don’t fall victim to any schemes or tricks!

As you well-know the film acting industry is competitive, challenging and takes a lot of dedications and hard work. So don’t believe any “get rich and famous quick” gimmicks. Here are a few important things to remember:

• You should never have to pay anything up front. A reputable agent gets paid when an actor gets paid (which is typically 10-20%). So don’t ever hand over a dime – now, or in the future.
• Make sure that you’re meeting an agent for the first time in their office, during regular business hours. If an acting agent suggests meeting elsewhere in the evening, there’s a good chance they’re not legitimate.
• If a talent agency is promising your child immediate work and thousands of dollars to merely pass a simple screening – or anything else that seems to good to be true – run for the hills.
• Above all, use common sense. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If you’re getting a bad vibe from an agent and are unsure if the auditions he or she is sending you to – don’t go. Protecting your child from Hollywood scammers is obviously of paramount importance.

Finding the right children’s acting agent is a crucial step in your young star’s journey toward a fulfilling and bright career on the big screen.

If you take the time now to diligently research and prepare, the reward of powerful representation will surely pay off in the long run.

Best of luck!

How to Help Your Child Become an Actor in Six Easy Steps

So you have a budding young star in the family who would love to become an actor. Fantastic!

This step-by-step guide will lead you through the process of helping your son or daughter break into one of the world’s most exciting, yet competitive, industries – the children’s film acting industry.

Although parents must take the lead in jump-starting their child’s film acting career, we’ve directed this article toward the young actor. Although the process is crucial for parents to understand, we believe that it’s imperative that the child must also have a clear grasp of the amount of work that lies ahead.

In the end, it is the young actor’s responsibility to dedicate their time and effort to their journey. So parents, after reading this informative how-to article, we encourage you to pass it along to your aspiring professional actor for them to read.

Step One: Training – find an acting school, acting coach and acting camp

Although you may have a natural acting talent, it’s imperative that you get professional training now and throughout your acting career. There’s always room for education and improvement.

Before auditioning at Disney and applying to talent agencies, it’s important to understand and develop acting techniques and terminology. You don’t want to walk into your first audition as a green novice who doesn’t understand how to take direction.

So get involved with your drama department at school and begin diligently studying and practicing acting. Look for local acting schools, acting coaches and acting camps that you can afford.

Young Actors Camp in Hollywood, CA is a great example of a valuable training resource for young actors just starting out. Here you acquire valuable acting education, along with important insight into the way the industry works and how to navigate your way through it.

Decide on what your focus will be (television, commercials, movies, etc.) and identify your strengths and talents. That way you’ll be able to clearly outline your goals in your resume, which is an important piece of your press kit.

Step Two: Get great headshots – a professional first impression is imperative

Every actor needs professional headshots. Because headshots are the first thing talent agents and casting directors see, it is the most important marketing tool you’ll have. Do not skimp on headshots; have them taken by a professional photographer.

An actor’s headshot will range between $50 and $1000 and should be an 8×10 photo. Do not write your name, or any other information, on the front of the photo. You may write your name and phone number on the back, but be very tidy.

Step Three: Find acting roles – get involved in everything that you can

Although it often seems difficult to get experience without having experience, every actor must begin somewhere. Film stars don’t usually start out on film; they start out on stage. So begin taking even the smallest roles that you can find.

Look for parts in your school play, in local theatre companies and in drama schools and clubs. You can also take parts as extras if a movie screening comes locally.

In the beginning of a young actor’s career, the main goal is to get absolutely as much experience as possible. You want to improve your craft and start building a resume that will eventually impress talent agents.

Depending on where you live, you may need to look for young actor’s roles in a large geographical radius. You may be able to carpool, so do your best to be creative about transportation and make the job happen. (To read more about how to find kid’s acting auditions, read our blog post: 5 Great Tips For Finding Kid’s Local Acting Auditions.)

Step Four: Create an impressive resume – every child actor needs a resume (in Europe referred to as a CV)

Once you’ve performed enough to have a decent list of roles, it’s time to write your resume. This should be something that you dedicate a considerable amount of time to; it needs to look as professional and sophisticated as possible.

On your resume you will want to include the following information:

• Your name, social security number and contact info
• Your height, weight, eye color, hair color and race
• Any actor’s unions (like SAG) that you belong to
• All of your acting experience: starting with film, followed by theatre
• Your training and education
• Your agent’s name and information
• Your headshot neatly stapled on the back of the resume by each corner

Step Five: Find a talent agent – you don’t have to pay a dime!

Now that you have acting training and education, experience as an actor and your headshot and resume complete, it’s time to look for an acting agent or talent agency. (But beware of frauds. Professional talent agents only get paid 10% of what you get paid.)

Talent agents are very important for every professional child actor: they help guide you through your career, have access to long lists of roles, find great auditions for you and negotiate your contract. (To learn more about how to find a talent agent read our blog post, The Process of Finding a Children’s Acting Agent – Simplified!)

Step Six: Continually study, practice and improve – never stop learning

Although at this stage of the game you’re hopefully getting roles and continuing to build your resume, as with anything in life, if you strive to become a successful expert in your field, you must never stop learning. Never.

Those who get too comfortable at a certain level of proficiency often fall out of the film acting industry; it’s a fast paced environment that’s always changing. So you must keep up. You must continually stay current on industry news, techniques and opportunities by reading the leading magazines, websites and newspapers.

Intently watch, listen and practice: when you watch a film, don’t merely watch for entertainment’s sake; this is your profession now and you need to analyze everything. Take mental (and physical) notes on techniques that work, and those that don’t.

Each day, practice memorizing new and complicated lines. Recite them in front of your video camera, and review the footage for ways to improve – then reshoot again and again. You will want to keep practicing in this way throughout your entire career.

Above all, saturate yourself with the performing arts: watch every movie, play and improve that you can. Immerse yourself in your local drama scene and become 100% dedicated to continually studying, learning, practicing and improving.

Your hard work and dedication will surely pay off with an extremely rewarding life as a professional actor. So best of luck! Go out there a make your big dream of acting for the silver screen into a wonderful reality.

5 Great Tips For Finding Kid’s Local Acting Auditions

Breaking into the film acting business often seems overwhelming, daunting and too big to maneuver through – especially for young actors. But after reading these five important tips, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to get involved with your local film scene and find children and teen movie auditions.

And remember! Beginning a film career at a young age can be done in any region – not merely Hollywood. Films are made in every region of the world. But you must be proactive, enthusiastic, organized, diligent and professional.

Here’s what to do:

1. Read everything you can find about film acting auditions for kids and teens.

You must read, read, read. Read everything that you can get your hands about what’s happening in your local film acting scene – there might be a lot more happening than you’re aware of. So become aware – make sure you know all of the important resources young actors use to find auditions in YOUR area. (And read about how people find them in other regions and countries.)

Read the news on your chamber of commerce website’s community events page; your town hall event websites; the high school and university film projects (sometimes they have audition postings for teens and kids); local newspapers (check the classifieds!); and cultural, drama and arts magazines.

Also, always stay current on daily postings from the big actor’s resource websites, blogs and online or editorial magazines. A lot of acting camps and schools often have blogs and article banks that offer a wealth of information.

Organize a daily reading list or news feed that keeps you in-the-know about exactly what kind of auditions are being offered locally and nationally. (Setting up an RSS reader to keep up with daily posts is highly recommended. Try GoogleReader.)

Staying up-to-date on the film industry’s trade news will ensure that when a movie screening does come locally, you won’t miss out on what could be a chance of a lifetime.

Here are some great sites to keep up with include:

http://www.backstage.com/bso/index.jsp
http://backstage.blogs.com/blogstage/
http://www.variety.com

2. Search, research and search again – know the film industry inside and out.

To become a success in the film industry and find the right kid’s acting audition – you must do A LOT of research. Finding highly sought after children and teen film auditions takes knowhow about the industry as a whole, not mere luck or dabbling here and there. You must become an expert on how auditioning works and how to find what’s happening in your area.

So spend a considerable amount of time on the Internet searching young acting niche portals, forums, chat rooms, social media sites and directories to see what is available in your region. When searching in engines that have map features, try bringing up the map and then searching for auditions. See what is displayed in “local search” and always add the name of your town or city.

Make detailed lists of what you find and what kind of castings you would like to audition for. Create realistic goals by determining what has worked for other young actors, and what has not. (See what young actors are saying in chat rooms.)

By doing a lot of research on how the film industry works (especially as it relates to your region), you’ll begin to build a strong educational foundation – which casting directors love! Adult actors and producers seek out bright, informed young actors to work with – kids who have a grasp on how the film industry works.

Another important step is to research whom the casting directors are in your region. Depending on how competitive the area is casting directors may be able to meet you in person. If they are too busy for this, find out where their office is and leave your press kit in their drop box (with your resume, headshots, reels, etc.). Don’t be shy – make it happen!

3. Make connections in the film industry and contact them!

As with most industries, getting into film is not just about what you know, it’s also about whom you know. Sometimes being a fantastic networker can open up the acting audition doors to you much faster than waiting for something to fall in your lap (which rarely ever happens – you must go out and get it for yourself!).

Acting for film is about confidence, charisma and personality. If you can catch the eye of casting directors, screenplay writers, directors, producers, agents, adult actors, or anyone else in the film production business, there could be a great opportunity in it for you.

Start introducing yourself to everyone you know who is related to film acting. People love to refer each other to friends – so put the word out to your community that you’re a serious actor looking for auditions. You might be surprised who comes offering you the inside scoop on a nearby commercial set or recommends you to a university student looking for a young actor to fill a part in an award-winning reel (which is great for your portfolio!).

When you do get a lead about a coming movie project – be bold! Go there, introduce yourself – or find someone who can introduce you. Take chances to be around others who are as passionate about film as you are – there may be a point when they need you!

Also, introduce yourself at your local film office, the AFCI Film Commission, the high school and university to let every department know that you’re available and completely prepared for TV, film or commercial auditions.

4. Submit and Join – create professional profiles on talent seeking websites.

Once you’ve done your reading and researching to discover which major actor forums, search engines, blogs and groups that you’d like to belong to – join them!

Take the time to create clean profiles on trusted sites – making sure that every profile you upload represents your professional attitude toward film auditioning. Have a parent, teacher or acting coach proofread it to make sure it’s perfect! Casting directors brose these sites daily – so make sure to get your name out there in cyberspace.

http://www.actingland.com
http://www.moviex.com

Facebook is a great resource too. There are numerous group pages where local actors share their experiences, ask each other questions and get auditioning ideas. Here is a good example of how young actors use Facebook to keep in touch. (Which casting directors browse too!)

5. Participate – get involved in as many young acting auditions as possible!

Take every chance that arises to get involved with film production. Chances are, you will continue improving your craft, learning about the industry and discovering the different kid’s acting auditions in your area.

And of course acting is great fun! That’s why you love doing it. So don’t expect your first acting audition to land you a part in Twilight. Be patient and accept small jobs – even if you only get called in for a few lines. If you nail your performance, you could be on the top of the casting director’s mind when she looks to fill the next role. With every chance to audition for film comes the opportunity to impress the “right” person.

No actor can be sure of how their acting career will unfold and which avenue will lead to the wider world of film acting for big movie productions. But one thing is certain – the first person you must look to for success is yourself.

If you rely on YOURSELF to find the breaks and the local acting auditions, then you’ll evolve into a brave, self-sufficient and successful young star.

So young actors! Get out there and strut your stuff! But be diligent in your daily film auditioning homework. Read, search, connect, contact and join so that you can begin to participate in the wonderful world of acting for the silver screen.