Has anyone on here every had their kids involved with a modelling agency?
Curious to see if you have what review you would give who you signed up with
Child Modelling/Acting Recommendations?
bemybubble on 31/01/2019 - 15:06
Comments
I had my first job at 4 years old. My parental units pimped me out to wealthy Chinese couples to act as a page boy for glamour weddings. I banked a lot of cash into my Dollarmite account in those days. Along with my paper route and subsequent jobs, and thanks to the magic of compound interest, I was able to achieve financial independence and retire in my early 20s.
My paper route money went directly to the local lolly shop.
That's why you're (probably) still working a 9 to 5.
@Jugganautx: Redirect your jealousy. If your analytical skills were better you might've gathered that my financial status is more the result of prudent saving and frugal spending, rather than being paid handsomely.
But a few hundred bucks for smiling in a tux for half an hour as a preschooler was ballin'! :P
Hey scrooge. Did not know u were FI. Well done mate.
Didn't turn out too well for JonBenet
Yes JonBenet shows a typical life for a child model.
Or Nikki Webster.
*Nikki Webstarr
Define 'child' - age group?
Assuming that they are old enough to make a decision or two, do they have an interest in acting / modelling?Guys. Not talking beauty pagents here. More talking like modelling for catalogues like Kmart, target etc.
Age group?
Why?
Why not?
I've never heard anything good about modelling agencies - and you'll have to go through on no matter how vanilla the gigs you're looking for your kid are.
Username checks out
3.
Why? Why not?
As a parent I am trying to find out what my child will gravitate to as he develops. Whether that be sport, singing, dancing, acting or otherwise. The only way you'll ever know is to expose them and see whether they enjoy it or not and everything else matures from that.
For a 3y.o., I would be looking for an agency that has plenty of experience with models in that age group and a little older, as I would assume that they would have the child's interest in mind and not freak out if/when their model has a melt down.
I have some knowledge of agencies, but only in the late-teens / early adult ages.
As to why, for that age of child, it's up to you I suppose, and only you know (at this stage) what talents your child has an inclination towards.
Every kid would love to be a rock star or footie player, but most of that is practice. Kids don't naturally want to practise scales quadruple jumps. They do it when they're pushed, so you're pre-emptively tiger parenting a three year old.
@SydStrand: Huh? You saying I’m tiger parenting my 3 year old? I’m sorry do I know you?? What kind of commenting is that.
No one is pushing my child to do anything. He’s at an age where I want to see what he enjoys and what he doesn’t. The moment we, as parents, see he isn’t enjoying it then we move on to something else. I’m not trying to Joe Jackson my kid. With your logic you could find a negative for everything kids do.
In fact part of being a responsible parent is asking questions like I’m doing here. I’m not asking for you to assume what kind of parent I am. If someone has had experience and can post about it then that’s great. Positive or negative. Because if there are negatives for my child then it’s case closed. It’s that simple.
@bemybubble: You're asking OZB for child modelling pointers, and I kinda doubt your three year old is pushing for it. How about slowing down, then waiting a few years to see what your toddler actually wants to try out? You know, karate lessons are cheaper and probably more fun than blowing $1000 on a portfolio.
If your kid winds up being the next Jordan Barrett, you're welcome to an "I told you so."
@SydStrand: Strand so you’ve had experience with the industry? Keen to hear what you’ve seen and experienced it would be greatly appreciated
@SydStrand: Why are people being so judgey? I see plenty of ads with toddlers and younger in them. How do those kids get the gig? What's the big deal?
@John Kimble: If you want to be Next Top Model, go ahead! But sniffing out tips for a three year-old who's still trying to decide between McNuggets and boogers, is unseemly. It's pure stage parenting. Encouraging hobbies is fine, but do it organically. No child crawls out of the crib wanting to be told to stand still in a bright (and hot) studio.
I used to work at a fairly large (for a local) toy company, and while our media came from a professional studio, the models were just kids of staff. It's less 'who you know,' and more 'who you came out of' with a dash of luck. Look at Thylane Blondeau. If you want to 'go pro' and assuming you dodged the countless talent scams, get ready to deal with slimy agents. Oh, and it's also probably unhealthy for a developing self-esteem, instils bad lessons about body image, is a notoriously exploitative industry, demands skipping class, etc.
I see plenty of ads with toddlers and younger in them.
Eh. That's not the best logic imo. I see a lot of stuff on TV and online that I wouldn't touch with a 10-ft pole. Not even taking it to extremes, but child actors are a commonplace thing too, and I don't think I'd want my kid as a child actor no matter how talented they might be. The record seems to be pretty bad.
@HighAndDry: So if I understand your argument correctly, you would not allow your child to have a go at acting or modelling in the extremely small chance they become a global sensation and head down the wrong path (due to the fame/exposure and all that comes with it)? You can argue the same thing for singing, dancing or certain sports too, couldn't you?
I don't think that's the best logic either…the chances of that happening would have to be the same as winning lotto, surely? Which coincidently ruins people too.
The comments from littleburrito and Captain Musty would seem more likely to occur…
@John Kimble: At 3 years old? Correct.
in the extremely small chance they become a global sensation and head down the wrong path
But that's effectively the best case scenario - that they're successful and end up badly.
You can argue the same thing for singing, dancing or certain sports too, couldn't you?
I would take the same view - wait till they're much older than 3 years old - but not for the same reasons. Those at least have the advantage of having benefits even if you're not particularly successful. I honestly can't see any benefits to modelling.
I don't think that's the best logic either…the chances of that happening would have to be the same as winning lotto, surely?
Sure, but the alternative is that they're not successful at modelling…. and what skills or other benefits does the child get then?
@HighAndDry: I think really what it boils down to is the parents and the support/protection they give their children.
The reality of it is that it's a big wide world out there and you do the best you can to educate and expose your child. There are positives and negatives in all things kids do.
I for one did dancing as a child. Started when I was 3. Ended up growing out of it by the time I was 13, my parents didn't force me to keep doing it they saw I started to dislike it so I quit. My mum wasn't a 'stage mum', far from it actually. She looked through all the BS and was purely focusing on trying to find something to nurture any talent I might have.
Had it not been for exposure to dance I probably wouldn't have developed the level of self confidence I have now.
Now as a parent i'm faced with the same decisions as to what to expose my kid to. I hate the idea of my kid playing footy or auskick because I don't want him to turn into a footy jock or be knocked around.
Now that's purely subjective POV from myself knowing full well that i'm generalising off what I see out there (which coincdently seems like what most are doing on here). Now that being said it doesn't mean i'll stop my child from being exposed to footy if that's what makes him happy…
@bemybubble: Yeah all fair enough. I was mostly speaking as to personal opinion in my reply to JK above. I've some experience with extra curricular activities and my general thought is - wait till the kid is old enough to show some interest themselves (or actively show disinterest) before throwing them at various activities. Exposure to these things is good, but to me it's more the 3 years old part that I feel is too young.
Having said that, it's not like I have any kind of track record in raising anything, so feel absolutely free to disregard.
Having said that, it's not like I have any kind of track record in raising anything, so feel absolutely free to disregard.
Hahaha. Not a parent. All arguments invalidated. :p
I'm betting not many here (including myself) have had any experience with the child modeling/acting industry either, so we are mostly all in the same boat.
You can expose them to all those things at a smaller level, and then consider if it's worth going further with paid agency work. Kinda sounds like you're reaching for the stars on the off-chance they might enjoy it.
Also your examples are only sport and stage (which sport can also fall under). Is that because your kid has gravitated towards being a performer or because you don't want to encourage a potential nerd?
just whore them out on instagram
It's tragic
I can understand pet ones but the pages created by the parents for their children is mortifying
I don't even know how you can understand pet ones :P
"my kid has cancer, I need a million likes and the hospital said they'll provide help for free"
That hospital needs better moral fibre if they are holding a kids cancer treatment ransom in exchange for Instagram likes
Not sure why people are responding to this with some sort of higher sense of morality? It’s a simple question without any caveats
Because child modelling agencies, and child modelling in general, has a bad reputation and arguably deserve it. Just briefly, it often sexualises children, especially in regard to girls. It fosters an unhealthy focus on looks and (can) contribute to body image and self-esteem issues. And it does so during a very impressionable developmental phase of a person's life.
I can understand that. I suppose that’s the risk you have with anything you expose your kids to. Really it comes down to parents having their wits about them and protecting their kids in the process.
You're right and that's an admirable sentiment when practiced generally, but you really can't divorce "body image and self esteem issues" from the act of modelling itself, which is inherently and necessarily 100% focused on looks and aesthetics.
Still, having parents who're aware of these issues, are looking out for them and genuinely want them to have more opportunities is better than the alternative.
They've got to start somewhere if they're going to become successful bikini football players.
For every child actor getting work, there are probably 1000 other home-schooled weirdos coached by stage parents, but with nothing to show for it.
In the age of child influencers and Lil Tay… just don't.
I saw an ad in the papers a few weeks ago and read some reviews.
It seems you have to pay hundreds to get a portfolio of pictures taken and an annual fee to be on their books. Mine's 2yo and will probably look different when she's 3. The agency will then give you a call to spend hundreds again for a new set of pictures taken.
You will probably spend $1000 with no guaranteed work or the opportunity for a casting.
I believe there's better ways to spend the $1000.
Tony Bartuccio dance studios used to dominate 80s TV.
But on a serious note, my little cousin was spotted by a worker at a store and recommended to do some modelling. This was about 2 years ago, the kid is now 6, and they've been in campaigns for brands like Cotton On, Country Road, Zara. The kid loves it, and the parents like it too because there's all these OH&S requirements on the kid (think I remember them saying the kid can only work 2 hours per shoot) and the kid makes $$$.
They've set up a trust fund for the kid and it'll become they kids money when they turn 18
Awesome! Thanks for sharing this
Ah. Sensible, informed feedback, rather than "Just Don't" and "I've read…".
I wonder if all the nay-sayers boycott buying from K Mart, etc because they (or rather, their advertising agencies) employee child models…
A friend of mine used to work behind the scenes of kmarts catalogues. I often saw pics and videos from the shoots. The kids seemed happy. Why wouldn’t they? They were playing with toys all day!
I'm a photographer and I was doing a bridal shoot someone suggested using my 2 year old daughter as a flower girl, initially I wanted to do but then I thought no I will just wait until she gets a bit older and if she wants to be a model then she can.
I know parents with child models and they don't seem to mind. Pigeon pair identical twins.
They're like the jewels of child modelling at the moment. The agent currently representing them approached the mom so with regards to the question, I think it's more talent scouting than seeking an agent.
I'm sure there are ways to get in the door and I imagine it is just going to a whole lot of auditions and getting a first gig.
Do you mean 2 sets of twins, one set of identical boys and one set of identical girls? Because, otherwise it’s impossible to have a set of identical twins where one is a boy and one is a girl!
Yes, two sets.
Although, your way would be much cooler. Or maybe just a gender identity argument.
It's usually not worth it, due to the cost of transport (and the parents time of course) in getting to auditions and various gigs.
If you have lots of spare time, and your kids enjoy, I don't see why not, as long as it's not the disturbing sexualisation of minors stuff (if that's the case dont do it) .
No knowledge of agencies etc, but knowing my family member that was involved, she probably looked it up online or Facebook or something.
Btw, the poor kid (now teenager) still cops it a bit from his biggest gig (was the national face of a major stores campaign, with his photo up in every store) . He told me other day, quite embarrassed "some kid at school found out about it" , so now I think he gets called the kid from {insert name of store} . He only got I think $1,000 for that. All went into trust fund accounts for them. About 4 years ago he thought still thought it was cool, telling his lil sister how he used to be famous lol, but as a teenager at high school it's embarrassingThanks to the responses who addressed the questions I had. Can't believe how far from the fray people deviate without ACTUALLY looking at what people are asking for…
It's with best intentions at least (I suppose). :/
Good Luck with it.
Why would people deviate from the fray if they actually looked at what you were asking for?
Don't worry it's mostly feigned indignation from very bored people. All too common on OzBargain.
Our son spent $500 (earned from car-washing etc) to register with POLKADOTS, had an audition which went well, then didn't hear from them again.
When he tried to contact them, the response was "When something comes up, we'll let you know".
It just never happened. He was ripped off for $500!And every year, at about the same time of year, there's an article on the TV about joining them to get into the modelling industry and make money.
How much are they paying th TV to 'sell' their message?I think that's their nice way of telling him he doesn't look good enough…
The company makes money from people who pay to get a portfolio done from their kids. They don't care if the kid gets work or not.
They are ALL a SCAM!
Quite a few well known actors began life as child models.
Bettina Management is well regarded. They have offices in all capital cities.
There are bad apples in all walks of life; it doesn't mean that the whole industry is bad.
People still go to church don't they?The OP sounds like a stage mum or dad. Nothing worse.
There are 1,000s upon 1,000s of would be models/actors with agencies with 99% doing bugger all work.
As for POLKADOTS…what can I say?
This guy…
Had my daughter with a company in Brisbane starting with B. She had a few auditions, but didn't get a part. Waste of money.
Honestly dont do it.
My niece totally changed after she got involved in one of these. More demanding, bad temper if she is not getting the things other kids have.
I wouldn't bother paying to sign up with an agency. Maybe spend that money on dancing, singing or other creative avenues. I have a friend whose child models (rarely now because she is no longer cute- which is another issue altogether) but she never had to pay to sign to an agency.
She was spotted in the city and they pursued her. Her portfolio was done at no upfront cost it came out of her first catalogue job. Beware of agencies that charge a fortune for photo shoots - if they can get your child a job if they have the right photos they should be willing to do a payback deal from work booked.
Don't force your kid into doing it. If they don't like it they will just hate it and you.
the best thing you can do is not mention anything to them about doing sports, acting or whatever and ask them if there is anything they want to try out. then you will get the answer of what they actually are interested in and want to do. If you get no answer just let them do what they currently enjoy doing at home.
Also 3 is a bit young for this imo.
Que Sera, Sera'. 'Whatever will be, will be'
Bubblegum casting is Australia's longest running children's talent agency. https://www.bubblegumcasting.com.au/
There are 3 offices across Australia: Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland.reviving the thread. My 15 y.o. daughter decided to become a model. As a parent, I must support ;)
any tips for agencies we should approach?
We are Sydney based.
Just don't go with 'Polkadots'. They promise lots, but deliver nothing.
My son paid them $500 (from his car-washing, after school) to get listed, but never heard from them again.
just don't.