Expert: Peter Gabany - 4/26/2004

Question
I am an AllExpert volunteer in the Medical category, and my question is as follows: My Granddaughter (10) is a fascinating individual with a great deal of persona. (Not because she is family)! Her father is a very talented photographer, and Bryana (the child) has posed for photographs since she was born. Her dad made a CD with some shots of her which I would like to expose to a professional and get an honest opinion of how to pursue a career for this young lady. I do not consider her a raging beauty, but she has a congenial appearance, fantastic awareness of detail and expression. Her ability to precisely mimic an individual's body mechanics, verbal communication, and vocalization, is remarkable.
The question is: What path should I take in seeking an HONEST reconnoiter. I want to avoid scams, and profiteers. Sincerely: Lauren  

Answer
The best way to go about this is NOT to approach a modeling agency. Your granddaughter is as you state not a 5'10" 97 lb beauty but she could have / may have good camera/commercial presence.

To score any opportunity she will have to run the gamut of screening ceremonies with a host of casting agencies. She will need a mittful of 8 X 10's, a sheet with contact information and what is often known in the industry as a comp card. These are typically 5 X 7 – 2 sided. The comp card will have a head a shoulders beauty shot on one side taking up the full side with the model/actors name. The other side is typically 3 images to include a full length shot (formal or near so), a casual torso and head shot and a character portrait. Also on that side it should list a very focused list of what type of work whe might be looking for and a list of capabilities. For example:

Modelling
Kids Commercials

Singing,
Dance – Tap/Jazz
Karate
Plays soccer and lacrosse

Don't forget to list contact information including an email address, preferably a hotmail or yahoo account that can be changed if she starts to receive questionnable email.

It would be best that a parent or guadian vet any email and that an adult accomany her on auditions – for safety and support.

It is not an easy task looking for work and promotion is like for anything – its a steady rain that penetraits. Once she has some experience, then she needs to update a Curiculum Vitae and keep this part of her media package. Please keep (as though a Grandmother wouldn't) all newspaper clippings pertaining to he appearences, plays, commercials, radio commercials and the like.

Thank you, I hope that you are located in a large metro area (and not Nome, Alaska) and that we have been of some value.

Best of luck.

Pete