So
you've got a great-looking kid, and you know he should be a star! After
all, he's cuter than the child on your box of diapers or cereal. But
modeling is a lot of hard work, and carries the potential for a lot of
disappointment. In order to guide your child into a successful and
rewarding modeling career, and manage that career long-term, there are
some things you should know, and some steps you should take.
1
Hollywood model
Take
some pictures of your child. They do not need to be professional at
first, but make sure they show him smiling, and are well-lit and in
focus. He should be the only child in the shot, too. While you're taking
pictures, assess whether your child likes the camera, how photogenic he
is, and how cooperative he is at letting you get a good shot. If the
shoot doesn't go well, modeling may not be for him.
2
If your child excels with your shoot,
have the best photos printed in 4-by-6-inch or 5-by-7-inch size and put
them in a photo album--later you can move to a real modeling portfolio.
Choose at least one head shot, one full-length shot and an action shot
or playful shot.
3
If you are not visiting agencies live,
but emailing or mailing the pictures, be sure to include your child's
name, age, height, clothing and shoe sizes. The agency may also want to
know if she can read and if she is missing any teeth.
4
Research the modeling agencies in your
area. If you don't know which ones are good, call the Better Business
Bureau, or some local ad agencies or department stores to find out what
agency they work with.
5
Call the modeling agencies, ask if they
book jobs for children, and if so, how you can get in to see them. Some
agencies have open call days which allow you to bring in your pictures.
An agency does not charge you money up front; they take a percentage of
the profits from the work they get for your child. However, some
agencies ask for a small consultation fee of $25 to $75. If they ask for
money to have a photographer shoot pictures of your child, a legitimate
agency will be fine with you saying you'd rather use your own
photographer. There also should not be any modeling classes offered if
your child is very young. Choose an agency that you're comfortable with,
that you feel is professional, and that can demonstrate it gets regular
work for other child models in your kid's age range.
6
Talk with your child's agent about the
agency's commission structure. It's not often that you can negotiate an
agency's standard fees, which are generally about 15 percent to 20
percent of what your child earns. However, if your child has a look that
is particularly desirable, they may make an exception for you. It
doesn't hurt to ask.
7
Talk with the agent about her
expectations of you as a parent and manager. Make sure you're both on
the same page as to what kinds of jobs your child will or won't do, and
how often he might be expected to work. If you're in a large city where a
lot of advertising is produced, you may be expected to be available
several times a week for castings or jobs. In a smaller city, it may
only be a few times a month. Also make sure you are clear on what you
can do for your child's career. Can you source out jobs yourself? Do
haircuts need to be approved first? Are there certain skills your child
needs to develop?
8
Communicate with your agency as to what
your child's schedule is, and yours, and when you'll be available for
castings and bookings. Decide whether you want to make your schedule
flexible around your child's career, or whether other things in your
life, like a job or your child's schooling, take more priority.
9
If scheduling is an issue because you
work, talk to your boss about having a flexible schedule that allows you
to leave if you need to take your child to a casting or booking.
Castings and go-sees are somewhat flexible, because numerous children
will be seen at different times, so your agency can book you based on
your preferences. However, usually you are not able to negotiate times
for a shoot. If you want your child to get the job, you may need to
rearrange some things.
10
Build your child's
portfolio by having a few professional photos taken of your child if
required; some agencies will be fine with you using just the snapshots
you took. If you do have professional photos taken, don't get a whole
bunch of pictures taken on the same day in the same outfit. You want to
have a variety of looks in your child's portfolio, so either change
outfits several times in one shoot, or do a few shorter shoots with
different photographers. This only has to be done at the beginning of
your child's career. Photos or tear sheets from completed jobs will
expand your child's portfolio.
Portfolios Starting From Rs. 500/- only may help your child's modelling career to give a start !!!!!!!!!!!!
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