Expert: Laura Interval - 8/7/2008

Question
Can you give any advice on what to expect. I am meeting with print, commerical, theater, and voice agents for my 4 year old daughter. I have never been to this type of interview before. What can I do to help her prepare or at least look appropriate.
Are there any questions I should ask them? What might they ask my husband and I. We live in LA area and I have a flexible part-time job and my husband has a flexible full-time job so we can handle the auditions and such.

What should she wear. Should her hairstyle be the same as her snapshots. What is supposed to be on a resume for a newcomer. She was in one national commerical a year ago but we signed a contract stating that we wouldn't get paid for it. Does that count?

Answer
Hi B. Grace
I'm glad you came here to ask.  It's can be a big confusing business for a parent!  
First of all, tell me what agency you are meeting with.  Are you meeting with just one or several?  I worked in LA for 8 years and am very familiar with the legitimate agents there.
As far as the interviews:
Let her wear whatever she wants.  Whatever suits her true personality the best.  Her hair can be anyway you want it to be.  It doesn't have to match the snapshots.  She should be as comfortable and natural as possible.  Dress her as you would on any normal day!
The most important thing in these interviews is that she is herself and comfortable.  Is she good with strangers?
They will want to see her personality.  Especially with the commercial and theatrical agents, they will need to see that she can respond to direction and be ok if you are not holding her hand the whole time.  They might want her to stand in front of a camera by herself and say a line or two that they give her.  
Make sure that she knows that.  And that they will be asking her questions.  Tell her it will be fun and there's no way she can be "wrong" if she's just herself!
Her resume should just be her name, contact information, and any experience she has.  The commercial definitely counts, you should put it on.  If she has any talents or hobbies, put those, too.  Don't worry about "filler"... they don't expect much to be on it!
Don't be afraid to ask the agents any questions you want!  Make sure you know how much commission they take (20% is standard for print, 10% for commercial), what type of jobs they will try to get for her, what will be her rate per hour.
Be very wary if they try to charge you a fee upfront.  No legitimate agency charges any more than a nominal fee for website.  They will want you to get pictures, but know that you have the freedom to get them from any photographer you choose.  You're in the land of good photographers, you shouldn't have to pay an astronomical amount for her photos.
Most of all, make it fun.  It's too tough a business if it's not enjoyable for you and her.  You will have to do a lot of running around town from casting to casting.  Are you ready?!
I hope I answered most of your questions.
Let me know what agents you are seeing and I may be able to guide you further.
All the best,
Laura I.