Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 4/25/2007

Question
Hi,

My daughter is DETERMINED to start a career in acting and modeling. She's very pretty, and has a unique look. She's 10 years old and 5'3", very tall for her age. I was against it at first, because I felt the industry is very competitive, but I feel she may have a chance. I have no clue as to what I need to do to get started, what she need for auditions, how to get casting call notices. I'm really just clueless. Is there anything in Minnesota available? What are the basic steps to getting started?  

Answer
Hi Neshka,
Sounds like you have a promising kiddo there. While other kids are concerned with play, she is thinking of a career!
I always try to instill the wisdom of having a backup plan worked into it when I give advice because you never know how long a career will last and how long the dead periods where work doesn't come, will last. It's never wise to rely on youthful looks to get you by.
On the competitiveness, it is really good training for life. I am not a "competitor-guy", but more a self-competing person. However, the fact is, that the world is getting crowded and we must adjust. It helps to keep the ego in check I have found. It's healthier not to go around believing the world is your oyster. Acting or modeling will help develop the thicker skin. The good part is, like kids selling candy for their schools, kids in the industry don't get as blunt of a rejection response as the adults sometimes do, so it helps with the confidence. Kids her age are most often used for commercials or ads for department stores and non-runway modeling. There is a whole field of modeling that doesn't rely on runway height.
In photos, no one can see you're short!

As to agencies in MN, I mentioned in another answer about finding a site with what appears to be legit agencies in the twin cities area: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/agencies/minnesota.htm
That is a start, but you will need to do some leg work on locating others in the phone directories. I realize that you may be in a smaller town, Duluth?, but you will have to know that the jobs may require commuting to the big cities where the work is located. My Dallas agent in the 90's was in Dallas, which was a 3 1/2 hour drive from Austin.
To get started: She doesn't need a portfolio to act, just to model. An actor has a headshot, which is basically an 8"X10" picture of your face, neck and top of your shoulders/necklace area.
Casting directors need to see your face and eyes! The headshot needs to be a professionally done picture that is taken by a photographer who knows how to do them...not a portrait photog from JC Penney or "Glamour Shots" (are they still in the malls?)or a friend with a camera. All that does is waste your money and time! You have to invest in yourself. If you don't think it is worth the money, why should they take you seriously, right? I have to say that every dollar I spend on headshots and reproduction has made me tenfold profit. The headshot is an actor's business card!
Reproduction: you will need to reproduce them...I have used ABC Pictures in Springfield MO. for years and they are not unreasonable. There are others out there. You will spend as much getting 250 copies as the picture costs itself, so be prepared.
BUT...first things first! Has she acted before? Has she taken any modeling classes? School plays? Community theater? Lessons? It's helpful to know some basics to start. The kids you see on Disney look like they aren't acting -that is the beauty of it-making it look effortless and natural. Luckily, kids are often fairly natural when young and aren't expected to be pros. However, they go much farther when they know what to do around cameras, like hitting marks and how to take a piece of paper with words on it and make it come to life. Dakota Fanning has had lessons, I guarantee.
Once the headshots are done and re-produced, then write a letter to the agencies stating that she is seeking representation in the area of the agency's territory and would like to meet if they are interested. Do not sound desperate or pleading. Think professional! Just matter of fact, no cute stories and you want to leave an air of caution like you are checking them out as much as they are checking her out. Example: "...would like to meet to see if it would be mutually beneficial to sign with the (agency name)..." etc.
That's the start. Look at the links to the sample resumes on the website I mentioned above.
For Acting: DO NOT PUT HEIGHT, WEIGHT, EYE COLOR, HAIR COLOR OR AGE ON THE RESUME!!! A picture will tell some of that, but if they have a preconceived ideal actor, then she won't get in the casting director's door. Make them have to see her in person as much as possible. Chances are, she will make a different impression in person than just a picture can show!

Hope that's a start!
Best, Taylor