Breaking in to Television
"From Sitcoms to Dramas"
During the month of September, we've been discussing the meat of the entertainment industry: the actual on-set work! But when it comes to your child's entertainment career, there are a variety of options, so where will your efforts be focused? Furthermore, do you have a choice or is there a natural progression in the typical child-actor's career?
In a recent Marketplace Morning Report, Jennifer Collins reported that "The biggest studios in Hollywood now turn to TV to make the most of their money, with profits coming in from advertisers, cable companies, and streaming services like Netflix."
This is good news for young performers because, generally speaking, yes, there is a natural progression to a child's career in the biz. If your child is on the television/film track, he or she will likely start out in commercials, and then move in to TV. For very young children (under the age of five), starting off in print is also an option on this track. It is important to note that theater, however, is not usually a direct track to television or film due to the nature of the performance style. Therefore, if the bulk of your child's acting experience has been on stage (a natural occurrence when school plays make up the majority of your performance opportunities), you will want to consider acting classes that focus on on-camera work to give your child the type of training he or she will need to ace auditions.
Here are some specific things you should know about breaking in to television. Stay tuned for later this week when we release a similar list for those interested specifically in film.
Location, Location, Location: While the entertainment industry is expanding its boarders to cities outside of Los Angeles, the vast majority of television shows (and specifically those starring children) are filming in Los Angeles. This means that auditions will be held here as well, and it is unlikely that lead roles will be cast without an in-person audition. Pilot season is a great time to be cast in a new television show and occurs roughly between January and March each year. That said, if you DO NOT yet have an agent or a manager, pilot season is not the time of year to visit LA for a trial-run. Why? Because the attention of agents and managers who may want to represent your child will be shifted to their current clientele leaving little or no time for your child. Therefore it is best to come out for pilot season after you have representation by an LA agent or manager. Looking to start local? Good plan. Check out our article about finding work in your home town.
Type of Agent: It may seem ironic, but to break in to television, your child will require a theatrical agent. A theatrical agent is a type of agent who finds work for clients on television and film productions, not on stage productions as the name might indicate. It is incredibly challenging to get auditions for television shows without the help of representation, so if your child is not represented, finding an agent or a manager should be your main focus.
Training: As mentioned, your child will most likely need some form of on-camera training in order to increase his or her chances at an audition for a television show. While children under the age of about eight simply need to have a natural ability and confidence, older children and teens will need to start to exhibit knowledge of technique and have a clear ability to take direction. Your young actor should know how to slate and be confident in front of a group of strangers because it is unlikely that you will be allowed in to the casting room.
Reality TV: In terms of California Entertainment Laws, reality television is no different than a sitcom or drama. Your child should receive adequate on-set education and should be paid for his or her time. Unfortunately due to the nature of reality television, many production companies are unaware of this reality. Check out our article on Reality TV so that you are better informed. You should also note that a role on a reality television show is generally not a track for breaking in to sitcoms and drama.
Finally, remember that following the casting process is the clearest path for breaking into the biz.
To read more about the Casting Process
