New and Lost!

[tykeylady]

Hi
I'm new to all this and feeling incredibly lost. My son has recently got an agent and the castings are starting to come in - we've had 4 in the last week - is this a lot or how it is?
I just don't feel I know what I'm doing at all. Everything seems rather haphazard with calls coming through the day before and us dashing here there and everywhere. I'm guessing this is the norm and I just need to get used to it?
I'm also unclear as to what to put him on for castings where no clothes are detailed. I've been going for casual look - is this ok?
I'm so glad I've found this site and hope that you will be able to befriend me and lead me along the right path,
Vickix

[pg]

Hi there! Welcome to NAPM.

I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice and support from everyone here. 4 auditions in a week is a lot! However, there is no guarantee that it will go on like this. There doesn't seem to be any pattern that can be counted upon in this business so it is confusing! Often there is a flurry followed by a worrying lull. Or at least that's what happens to me I'm definitely in a lull at the moment: hence my activity on NAPM

Your agent should be able to give you information and advice and certainly they should be able to let you know if there is a particular "look" specified. If there is no particular look specified then just go for unfussy, clean and comfortable. How old is your son? Have these castings been for commercials? These do tend to be last minute. Drama (in my experience) seems to give a bit more notice.

[titania]

Hi Vicki amd welcome aboard.

It would be helpful to know the age of your child/children because that can affect the number of castings you are getting. The main age seems to be 7-11 and hoys more than girls.

As to dress, as you are is recommended, so school uniform if that is what they normally wear of just casual clothes so they are comfortable and themsleves which is the most important thing of all.

[bruno2]

Dont worry its not like this all the time. I remember feeling the same way as you, but it soon settled down. Sometimes you can go for months with no castings and then other times you could get 3 in a week. When your Agent calls dont be afraid to ask questions, what clothes to wear to casting , whats the casting for, etc., etc., Good luck and you can always pm people if you need to ask more details. Im sure everyone is more than willing to help.

[julie4travel]

Welcome
I normally put my ds in casual clothes, as long as they are clean thats the main thing!
I have seen children at castings turning up quite scruffy and I don't think its too good an impression to make initially
We rarely go in school uniform unless we are asked specifically.
I do find its like buses coming at once sometimes no castings other times a few in a week.
We normally only get called the day before for a casting the next day unless its a script audition then sometimes you get a bit longer
Good luck to your ds, its all a learning curve!

[nextinline]

Welcome You will probably find that you get lots of castings, then nothing for a bit or sometimes even what seems like a long time and then lots again. It is rare to get very much notice ( half a day of 1 day at most). When you start you tend to follow up every audition but as time goes by (and you want to limit time off school) it becomes more obvious which leads you need to follow and which to let pass. This way you end up with a varied CV but not too far behind with schoolwork. This is particulary an issue once they start GCSE courses. As for clothes, make sure he is comfortable, he can move about easily (for dancing) and that you carry a spare set of clothes in case of spills. Otherwise be yourself, don't over prepare, and best of luck for all those auditions that come along. Also it is a good idea to talk to your ds about being turned down for things and talk about things as opportunities. Even if you don't get cast the audition itself is usually interesting, you meet other like-minded people and get to screen test ect. My ds is 14 and my dd 11, they have been very busy with filming, stage work ect since they started professionally in 2008 but they also lead normal lives at a normal school. They also spend a lot of time in theatre school and at dance classes that they love. Enjoy it and once again welcome

[tykeylady]

Thanks everyone, that really does help. My DS is 10 years old. He's been called for a few adverts and one TV series in the last week. I'm relieved to hear that 4 a week isn't the norm as I've no idea how we'd cope with that. I'm telling him to put each casting behind him once it has happened and just to enjoy the experience - anything gained is a bonus.
I've been doing the casual but clean thing re the clothing so sounds like I'm on the right lines. I do want him to lead a 'normal' life at school whatever that means but he seems to spend so much time in the theatrical world yet this is his own choice. I think sometimes I'm judged as pushing him too far by others who don't realise that he always has the option not to go for castings etc. I'm presuming you've all been there with this,
Vicki

[sophiesocks]

hello vicki,
i am yet to get representation for my boys and was wondering who you have gone with, they sound like they are keeping you busy!

[Dogcop]

Hi Vicki and welcome - it looks as if the green eyed monster is raising its ugly head again

You hear a lot of comments about being pushy from people who generally are either :-
a) Jealous
b) Ignorant

This industry so far has taught our DS massive life changing skills
1/ To be able to hold an articulate conversation in any company
2/ to be self assured
3/ to be told no and not throw a tantrum, but to accept it graciously and move on
4/ to be on his own and take responsibility for his actions and welfare
5/ to entertain people
6/ to understand the meaning of "no" or "not yet"
7/ that hard work brings results

these are a few I can think of, but you will come across prejudice because of the bottom line is that your child has a talent.

My advice is to ask the question of your child "is this what you really want to do"? If the answer is yes then go for it.

[leemum]

great advice

[Jeanie]

Welcome Vicki

Some great advice here.

Dogcop - well said.

[tykeylady]

What great advice, thanks. We've had another 2 dashes to London in the last week alone. Not got anything yet but I guess it is very early days. DS is loving it and is so much more confident already. Each one that comes in I give him the option of going or not and he's always eager to get there.
I guess you are right about jealous people, how ridiculous though to be jealous of a 10 year old!
Vickix