What Every Parent in the Biz Must Know
When it comes to breaking in to the biz, understanding the casting process is simply a must.
If you are pursuing a career in entertainment for your child, you have probably already realized that breaking in to the biz is no simple task, and no matter what some may tell you, there are no shortcuts to success. Sure, it would be awesome to have a producer or director walk up to you, admire your adorable child, and then offer him or her the lead role in the next big Hollywood blockbuster.
Although this happens occasionally (Spencer Breslin is an example), the chances are minimal. Most parents have to do the "heavy lifting" themselves, working daily to get a foot in the door.
That said, there is a process that, if followed correctly, will greatly improve your chances. CIF calls it "The Casting Process," and it goes beyond what you and your child do at an audition. At Children In Film, we believe that following this process is the single most important thing a parent can do to boost the success of their child's acting career.
So what is the casting process? Well, simply put, it is the steps by which a production company goes about finding its performers. For an actor, the casting process is the way in which he goes from having a dream, to working as a performer. Everyone plays a role in the casting process, and if you know where you stand, you're better equipped to move forward.
Casting directors, for example, prefer auditioning children who have representation because they are guaranteed a child who has been pre-screened by an agent or manager. Unfortunately though, many parents spend time spinning their wheels over casting notices before they've even signed with an agent or manager. This is probably because they don't understand the casting process.
Another example of not following the casting process would be having inadequate headshots and/or resumes. If your headshots are not up to par, you could be putting an unneeded stop on continuing your process. Furthermore, you could be unknowingly attributing your child's lack of success to the wrong "problem area."
And one of the most important reasons to understand the casting process is so that you are able to avoid the common pitfalls and scams associated with the business.
Those who aren't in-the-know can easily fall victim to scams. Reversely, not understanding the casting process could cause you to assume something is a scam when it actually is not. Remember, knowledge is power, and CIF is here to provide you years of research and experience boiled down for your benefit.
To check out Children In Film's articles about the casting process
