Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Children's modeling

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Expert: - 11/8/2010


Question

Paige
I have a 6 year old granddaughter who is gorgeous. I'm sure you hear that all the time. She is stopped constantly by people telling her she is so pretty. I am interested in finding out if she might possibly be considered as a model. Where do I get a portfolio? Do you do it? Do we come for an interview? I have no idea how this works. Thanks for your time

Answer
Your granddaughter needs a modeling agent.  She can submit a couple snapshots to agencies in your area for their consideration, and most likely will not need professional photos (or a portfolio) at her age.

You can use one of the modeling agency directories available in your local bookstore, library or online to locate the agents closest to you.  Often the books written about child modeling also contain an agency directory.

A list I like for the US is on:
www.sag.org/content/find-agent

Although that is a list of agencies in America on the Screen Actors Guild website, many of the agencies on their list also have a modeling division.  You will need to find the area closest to you, and look for "full-service" and/or "all ages."  A full service agency represents more than just actors (usually models, sometimes voiceover, singers, etc.)

You can use your favorite search engine to look up the website for any agencies you're interested in.  Most do have a website nowadays, and usually list criteria for new faces (such as age or type of models/talent they represent) as well as submission instructions for new faces.

An example: Say you live in Florida.  You can use the www.sag.org/content/find-agent
list of franchised agents to locate approx. 30 agents.  I selected one of those, World of Kids in Miami, and looked up their website on Yahoo (www.worldofkidsagency.com).  

Their website tells me that they accept primarily South Florida-based talent, and they want to see one photo of the face, and one photo that shows the full body in size 4x6 or 5x7.  The photos alone with the list of personal info they ask for (name, contact info, sizes, etc.) can be postal mailed or emailed, and they will contact you within 4-6 weeks if they are interested for an appointment.

Once your granddaughter has representation, her agent will look for job opportunities for her.  For any work she gets through the agency, they will take a percentage (usually 10-20%) off of the money she earns.  

The books written about child modeling go into much more detail, but that's the general overview.  Take a couple good snapshots, send them to agencies in your area who represent models of your granddaughter's age along with a cover letter/email that gives her contact info, sizes and perhaps a brief paragraph about her, and then (hopefully) get multiple offers to meet with agents interested in her look.  

Then decide who you think would best suit her and her goals as a model.  Sign with them, and the hard part is done.

Good luck to you and your granddaughter,
~Kitty

Kitty Kavey

Expertise

I can answer questions from those looking to get into the fashion or commercial modeling industry. Specifically, the requirements, what is needed, how to find an agent, what they look for, how to avoid scams, the difference between what a commercial model does, and a fashion model, would travel/relocation be required, what is on a comp card and in your portfolio.

Experience

Both my acting and modeling resume/portfolio is available online on my website. I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and also have available my actor's demo reel and voice-over demo online. I founded both the Florida-Models.com and Florida-Actors.com websites, which provide free modeling and acting info to the public. I have moved into directing, producing and screenwriting - and have won awards for my writing. I have worked in the industry as both a model and actress in Florida, New York City and Los Angeles until October 2007. I now reside in Europe.

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