Hi everyone,
Just new to the forum and have found it really useful.
I would really like some opinions from those of you much more experienced in these things than I am.
My dd has been registered with a modelling agency for some time. She's had a couple of paid jobs, most noticably a 2 day photo shoot for the Haven Holiday brochure. Anyway, out of the blue, the modelling agency rang and asked if she fancied auditioning for a major part in a TV movie. She said she'd give it a go, so we turned up, totally unprepared as everyone else seemed to have scripts to practise etc, but she did her best and she must have done ok cos she got a call back.
Although everyone else we spoke to attended drams schools etc my dd actually ended up in the last two for the part but unfortunately for us, the other girl was offered the part.
DD just shrugged and has moved on, but her dad is convinced we have a budding star on our hands and should encourage her to take acting lessons, register her with acting agencies etc. My view is that she probably just looked right for the part but then he says that might have taken her so far, but they wouldn't put somebody in the last two if they hadn't seen potential in her.
So my question is, how common is it for someone to get into the last 2 in their first ever audition. How much of it is down to just looking right for the part etc and how much down to acting ability. Is it worth encouraging her into acting lessons?
Any advice or similar experiences much appreciated.
Thanks
Advice need from more experienced mums
Moderator: busybusybusy
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
It would help to know how old she is?
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Sorry, she's 11, 12 in august.
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Hello and welcome to NAPM!
Congratulations to your dd for getting so close.
How old is your daughter?
My immediate reaction is that you are more likely to be right than your husband! That's not to say your daughter doesn't have talent: she obviously does, getting down to the final two isn't likely to be on looks alone, though you a right that this is an important aspect, particularly for screen acting.
I would be guided by your daughter to be honest. If she's not very bothered then I would not push it if I were you and just let her enjoy opportunities as and when they arise and encourage her to find enjoyment and fulfillment in a variety of activities. The reason I say this is because it's a hard old business with many disappointments and only occasional opportunities. I think she has to really, really want to do it for her to be able to cope with how unfair and unpredictable it is. If she IS keen, then I'd suggest the "what to do next" question does depend quite a lot on how old she is, where you live and how much time and money you have!
Tell us more! This is a great place for support and advice and there are lots of people here who will be able to give you the benefit of their experience.
Congratulations to your dd for getting so close.
How old is your daughter?
My immediate reaction is that you are more likely to be right than your husband! That's not to say your daughter doesn't have talent: she obviously does, getting down to the final two isn't likely to be on looks alone, though you a right that this is an important aspect, particularly for screen acting.
I would be guided by your daughter to be honest. If she's not very bothered then I would not push it if I were you and just let her enjoy opportunities as and when they arise and encourage her to find enjoyment and fulfillment in a variety of activities. The reason I say this is because it's a hard old business with many disappointments and only occasional opportunities. I think she has to really, really want to do it for her to be able to cope with how unfair and unpredictable it is. If she IS keen, then I'd suggest the "what to do next" question does depend quite a lot on how old she is, where you live and how much time and money you have!
Tell us more! This is a great place for support and advice and there are lots of people here who will be able to give you the benefit of their experience.
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Sorry, cross-posted!
That's helpful to know her age.
Do you think she's really keen?
That's helpful to know her age.
Do you think she's really keen?Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Hi pg,
Thanks for the reply. It's really difficult to judge how she is feeling. Initially she didn't want to do the audition, then she did. Then she kept saying how badly she had done. Then very excited to get the call back, but as it got nearer said she didn't know if she wanted the role (nerves I think) but did her confidence the world of good when she realised she was in the last two and said she would do it if chosen. She got on really really well with the other girl who was auditioning and they were texting each other for days. She actually heard that the other girl had got the part from the other girl's texts.
When we eventually heard from the agent she said we would probably be wanted as an extra.
My dd's only real comment was that although she hadn't got the part she had made a new friend.
I think you're right about not pushing it, but I'm not sure other opportunities will come along if I don't do something. As I say it's a modelling agency she's with not an acting agency. Or do modelling agencies do this sort of thing a lot? We live in the North East which I guess is not the greatest place for opportunities either.
To be honest I just don't know where to start but this site has been invaluable.
Thanks
Thanks for the reply. It's really difficult to judge how she is feeling. Initially she didn't want to do the audition, then she did. Then she kept saying how badly she had done. Then very excited to get the call back, but as it got nearer said she didn't know if she wanted the role (nerves I think) but did her confidence the world of good when she realised she was in the last two and said she would do it if chosen. She got on really really well with the other girl who was auditioning and they were texting each other for days. She actually heard that the other girl had got the part from the other girl's texts.
When we eventually heard from the agent she said we would probably be wanted as an extra.
My dd's only real comment was that although she hadn't got the part she had made a new friend.
I think you're right about not pushing it, but I'm not sure other opportunities will come along if I don't do something. As I say it's a modelling agency she's with not an acting agency. Or do modelling agencies do this sort of thing a lot? We live in the North East which I guess is not the greatest place for opportunities either.
To be honest I just don't know where to start but this site has been invaluable.
Thanks
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Hello again
I think living in the North East, as you say, does make things more difficult. So many things are cast in London! Perhaps you could just let things lie for a while and see whether she expresses a desire to do more? I do believe that the drive has to come from the performer. Apart from anything else, an agent will want to see a positive attitude and the confidence to do well in auditions and if she's not certain about it yet, then this is likely to come over in an interview.
How did this opportunity come about? Was this through her current modelling agency? If so, then I would imagine that they will hear about other similar opportunities so she may not need to look for an acting agent.
How about looking out for local amateur acting opportunities and local youth theatres? This would give her the chance to see whether she really loves performing or not. You could also see whether there are any film schools or film studies departments in colleges near to you and send in her CV/photo. She might get the chance to do some student films which would be a great way for her to find out what it is like to be involved in screen acting work (it's an odd business - so much waiting around and so very time consuming!).
I don't think I would worry about acting lessons (unless this is something she really wants). Taking acting lessons won't necessarily increase her chances of work at her age, though they can be very enjoyable and useful for other areas of life. She's already shown that she has enough natural talent to get very close to getting a part and she can take great confidence from this. Singing and dance lessons are rather different - if this interests her, then good tuition is a good investment.
Pursuing professional acting work really isn't something to be undertaken lightly. It's the pursuing bit that is the most stressful, time-consuming and disheartening - not the actual acting! It can affect the whole family, and the school. Opportunities are few and far between, even with an agent - especially if you don't live in London. This might sound a bit odd, but I think that if your daughter isn't all that bothered, then you should probably heave a sigh of relief!
I think living in the North East, as you say, does make things more difficult. So many things are cast in London! Perhaps you could just let things lie for a while and see whether she expresses a desire to do more? I do believe that the drive has to come from the performer. Apart from anything else, an agent will want to see a positive attitude and the confidence to do well in auditions and if she's not certain about it yet, then this is likely to come over in an interview.
How did this opportunity come about? Was this through her current modelling agency? If so, then I would imagine that they will hear about other similar opportunities so she may not need to look for an acting agent.
How about looking out for local amateur acting opportunities and local youth theatres? This would give her the chance to see whether she really loves performing or not. You could also see whether there are any film schools or film studies departments in colleges near to you and send in her CV/photo. She might get the chance to do some student films which would be a great way for her to find out what it is like to be involved in screen acting work (it's an odd business - so much waiting around and so very time consuming!).
I don't think I would worry about acting lessons (unless this is something she really wants). Taking acting lessons won't necessarily increase her chances of work at her age, though they can be very enjoyable and useful for other areas of life. She's already shown that she has enough natural talent to get very close to getting a part and she can take great confidence from this. Singing and dance lessons are rather different - if this interests her, then good tuition is a good investment.
Pursuing professional acting work really isn't something to be undertaken lightly. It's the pursuing bit that is the most stressful, time-consuming and disheartening - not the actual acting! It can affect the whole family, and the school. Opportunities are few and far between, even with an agent - especially if you don't live in London. This might sound a bit odd, but I think that if your daughter isn't all that bothered, then you should probably heave a sigh of relief!
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Thank you pg, your last comment made me smile.
Yes, the opportunity came from the modelling agency, much to my surprise as I didn't think they were involved in acting auditions.
I like the suggestions you make and perhaps I can look out for something over the Easter break with her when things are a little less
hectic than on a schoolday.
Other than the agency though, how do you get to know about auditions, and if you do hear of one, how do you apply? Does it have to be through an agency or can you apply yourself?
Thanks again
Yes, the opportunity came from the modelling agency, much to my surprise as I didn't think they were involved in acting auditions.
I like the suggestions you make and perhaps I can look out for something over the Easter break with her when things are a little less
hectic than on a schoolday.
Other than the agency though, how do you get to know about auditions, and if you do hear of one, how do you apply? Does it have to be through an agency or can you apply yourself?
Thanks again
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Well this site is a good one!
There are audition information sites that you pay for (like Starnow or Kids Casting Call Pro). There are free information sites like Talent Circle, Screen Terrier and Mandy. The reliability of information on these sites is sometimes dubious and very often this will be for unpaid acting work. You definitely need to be careful and circumspect and look at "opportunities" on these sites with a cynical eye. It is, alas, a business full of scams and false promises. However the hard truth is that it is very, very, very rare
- I've probably made my point - for opportunities for TV and film roles to be available except through agents. If this is the area you would like your daughter to be able to pursue then you do need to try to find an acting agent. If you do a search of this site you will see lots of discussions about how to approach agents. This might be easier once your daughter has a bit more performance experience. I'm not sure how interested an agent would be in a "near miss", it's not something that you would ever put on a CV (though you could mention it in a covering letter).
Good luck with whatever you and your dd pursue and keep us posted
There are audition information sites that you pay for (like Starnow or Kids Casting Call Pro). There are free information sites like Talent Circle, Screen Terrier and Mandy. The reliability of information on these sites is sometimes dubious and very often this will be for unpaid acting work. You definitely need to be careful and circumspect and look at "opportunities" on these sites with a cynical eye. It is, alas, a business full of scams and false promises. However the hard truth is that it is very, very, very rare
- I've probably made my point - for opportunities for TV and film roles to be available except through agents. If this is the area you would like your daughter to be able to pursue then you do need to try to find an acting agent. If you do a search of this site you will see lots of discussions about how to approach agents. This might be easier once your daughter has a bit more performance experience. I'm not sure how interested an agent would be in a "near miss", it's not something that you would ever put on a CV (though you could mention it in a covering letter).Good luck with whatever you and your dd pursue and keep us posted
Re: Advice need from more experienced mums
Thanks again for advice,
Does anyone know any agencies in the north east?
Does anyone know any agencies in the north east?