Most parents who want to get their child started in the modeling or acting business dream of having their child discovered and whisked away to fame and fortune in NYC or LA. This is a small reality for a very few. The larger reality is finding work in your local area. Almost every area of the country has some print jobs for local merchants and even commercials for local merchants!

How do you find these opportunities? It might take more effort than if you live in one of the major markets, but it can be done. My son had a great career in Memphis until he decided he wanted to play football and not do fashion shows or commercials! If you live in a city of more than 100,000 people – first check to see if there are any agents in your city. You must remember that unlike California, many states allow agents to sell pics and classes or charge an upfront fee. So here are some points to remember if this applies to your state!

#1 – Children under 4 years of age do NOT need professional pics and they most certainly do not need a ZED/composite card or a portfolio.
#2 – Children over 4 will need a good professional headshot but probably not a ZED/composite or portfolio. How much you pay for these pics will vary in every area. Children will need updated photos on a regular basis but usually at least once a year until they are in their teens.
#3 – In larger markets, you might be able to find TFP (time for prints) where photographers will shoot the model and give the model prints in exchange for the photographer using the pics for his/her advertisement. Just remember that the photos BELONG to the photographer and he/she can sell them or do whatever with them in most cases.
#4 – Children over 5 will need at least a Commercial Acting class to get started. They will need to know how to slate, how to read copy into a camera and how to take direction! Most commercial workshops are 4- 6 weeks and in LA.
#5 – Children who are over 10 and really want to ACT (film/television) will need an acting class. These are usually on going classes (even Merle Streep and Robert DeNiro still take acting classes).
#6 – For print and other modeling jobs, I feel a modeling class can be beneficial but it should concentrate of photo posing and runway! But if your child is a “natural” then they might not need a modeling class but children are not natural at taking direction and understanding terms that are related to this business so I still suggest a class of some kind.

With that being said, if your state allows agents to sell pics and classes – just make sure that the cost of these are not out of line with the industry.

But what if you live in a town of under 100,000 people? There are still opportunities to get your child started! If your town has a clothing store that caters to children or teens, ask if they do fashion shows and find out who you need to talk to get your child considered. If they do not do fashion shows – ask if they would consider doing one. Does your church or synagogue have luncheons or other special events perhaps for fundraising? Suggest a fashion show! What about for your child’s sports team – they are always looking for ways to make money. Along with school plays, there are usually opportunities in local theatre groups and if not – why don’t you start one? Almost every business, even in small towns, do some sort of advertising – find out how you can submit your child for these opportunities.

Now a few words on a couple of other options for those who do not live in a major market.

The Internet has really “brought” Hollywood to the whole country and you can sign up for one of the thousands “casting” sites that have sprung up. Most of these, in my opinion, are a waste of your money as they “repost” audition notices (and alter them) from other sites and then charge their members to see them. In most cases by the time these notices (especially for television and commercials) are reposted, the job has already been booked! Some of these sites do offer local opportunities so don’t overlook the good sites! Just remember that you should NEVER put anything online that can direct people to your child without your permission so no name of school, no home address or phone number, etc.

The other avenue to pursue for some of you might be the talent and modeling conventions/competitions. These venues have agents, managers, casting directors form the major markets come and “scout” talent at large events. There are numerous events like this with some concentrating on the East Coast, some the South, etc and there are a few that have their conventions in LA and/or NYC and bring talent from all over the country and even the world! What is the benefit? Well, you get an immediate feedback if your child is considered “talented” by the agents/casting directors/managers in attendance by way of callbacks. In a 3-4 day (sometimes less and sometimes more depending on the event) your child can be seen by the TOP industry professionals. If you tried to get interviews with these people – you could take you months! But, of course, there is a down side and that is the cost of attending such an event. Most of these types of events can cost thousands of dollars and none have a guarantee that your child will even get one callback from all the industry professionals there. And if your child does get an offer for representation – if the industry professional is from LA, NYC, Europe or another major market – it will be your responsibility to get your child to that city to start auditioning. I would suggest this type of event if your child is a little older (at least a tween) and you have the flexibility to move to pursue your child’s career and of course, if you can afford it!

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