- How To Search For Local Opportunities?
- What Is Needed To Apply?
- How To Increase A Child's Chances?
- How To Prepare The Child?
- What About At The Auditions?
Once parents realize their child has sparked a serious interest in acting, one of the next steps is to start applying to kids casting calls. Learn here about how to search and find those near you, and how to prepare the young actors for auditioning.
How To Search For Local Opportunities?
Searching for kids casting call opportunities for child actors can be done in various ways, including through talent agencies, local theater networks, acting schools, industry publications, social media, and more. But no option will be as convenient as through online platforms that specialize in kids casting calls.
Platforms like KidsCasting offer search opportunities based on location, and publish auditions and casting calls from various types of clients, including major entertainment industry companies.
Parents should research for kids casting calls regularly to stay updated on new opportunities and find potential roles that fit their child's skill set best, as well as to increase chances of receiving an invite.
What Is Needed To Apply?
Before parents send in their child's application, they should realistically consider if the young actor would be a good fit for the particular role. Then parents should start by checking if their child fits the basic requirements, including age, gender, and ethnicity. Sometimes there might also be details regarding the child's personality or specific acting abilities.
If the kid actor fits the casting call's requirements, it is time to send the application. When submitting the application, parents should make sure to give all the necessary information, including clearly stating which role, or roles if there is more than one relevant to their child, you wish the kid actor be considered for.
Parents should seriously consider creating an acting portfolio for their child as soon as possible to showcase their skills and growing experience in the industry. Having a portfolio attached to the application helps casting directors to assess child candidate's suitability for what they are looking for and increases the chances of receiving an invite to the auditions.
A child actor's portfolio should include professional headshots that capture the child's personality and various looks. Of course, it also must include a resume detailing their acting experience, training, and special skills.
How To Increase A Child's Chances?
Parents should encourage their kid to take acting classes or training programs to work their craft from early on. There the young aspiring performers can learn how to articulate their thoughts, emotions, and ideas effectively through various exercises and performances. Importantly, children also will improve their public speaking abilities in such classes, which will certainly help later on with the kids casting calls.
Other training, including dance classes or singing lessons, can also give a significant boost in widening their opportunities of succeeding as child actors. Learning to sing can help kids to develop better vocal control, projection, and expression, while dancing can enhance their physical coordination and flexibility.
Since the majority of parents are not in the entertainment industry themselves, attending such classes before acting auditions can potentially give children valuable mentorship and guidance about the whole kids casting call process, as well as honest feedback from professionals.
This can help the young performers in developing their skill set in a versatile manner and gaining experience even before ever applying to auditions to make them stand out amongst other applicants who may not have such an already diverse performing arts background.
How To Prepare The Child?
Once the invite to a kids casting call has been received, it is time to prepare by practicing, including rehearsing scripts, monologues, or scenes at home if possible. Such regular practice sessions can help increase child actors' confidence and improve their recall.
Parents should make sure that their child follows all the instructions provided by the casting directors before the event. It may likely be regarding certain clothing requirements. If such is not given, the child actor should wear suitable and flexible clothing that does pose the risk of potentially distracting the attention away from the performance or restricting the kid's movement.
An open communication should be encouraged during the preparation process to help alleviate any anxieties that the child may have regarding the upcoming audition. Parents should offer their support throughout the whole process if necessary.
What About At The Auditions?
Child actors should also be aware about how to behave themselves at the auditions, including arriving on time, being respectful towards others, and abiding by the rules and instructions set by the casting director and their staff.
It is recommended that parents attend the kids casting call together with their children. That way the child actor can receive the much needed support to maintain their confidence and to disperse any doubts or stress throughout the process.
Parents should encourage positivity regarding the whole audition process and for children to use opportunities to showcase their talents and abilities confidently. Child actors can do warm-up exercises for both their body and voice to relax before their audition part. It can help to calm their nerves and improve focus when on the stage in front of the casting director.
Parents or legal guardians also may be required to fill out necessary paperwork on behalf of their child, as well as answer questions the young performer may not be able to themselves.
While the child is busy with preparations, parents can use their spare time to connect with other parents who have come along to support their young actors. It can provide valuable insights and experience exchange about the kids acting industry which later on can be applied for their own auditioning process.
At the end of the day, it is about the child having fun and enjoying the experience regardless of the outcome. Regardless of the age, not every audition brings the desired results to the actors, but the good news is that thanks to the various kids casting oriented platforms available, the next kids casting call is probably already awaiting applicants.
