We always get told how out going our son is and that should put him into acting?
I recall the cute little afro-haired African-American boy from the 1970s in the Jack-in-the-Box fast food commercials. I think his name was Rodney Allen Rippy. There is not a certain look for kids, just a zany personality. Good luck. YouTube is a good angle.
Let your outgoing toddler be an outgoing toddler, not a child model
A reputable casting agency, particularly one who specializes in child actors. And be prepared that there will be an investment in materials (head shots, etc.) which is particularly expensive for children because you have to keep updating as they grow. And also be aware that outgoing children aren't necessarily good at acting - that requires a child who can manage in front of cameras and crew, take direction, do repeat takes and even learn lines. That's a huge leap from "he's so outgoing." If your child has what it takes, great. My husband has written and directed many commercials with actors of all ages (including quite a few famous ones), and it's a long process for actors (and families), filled with rejection, long waits, and expense until you're well established.
Please don't do this to your child. It is WORK! Everybody thinks their child is the next phenom.
My daughter and I have modeled throughout the years, nothing huge but local stuff. It's a brutal business and can easily destroy self esteem if you are not well grounded and understand the business. There's tons of rejection, back stabbing, waiting, etc.
Don't give anyone any $$$. If a reputable agency likes you, they will come to you.
IF you still do it and get $$, make sure you are saving that $$ for your child because he is the one that earned it, not you.
why would you want to do this to your child? The pressure that is involved is beyond normal.
Being out-going doesn't make your son a model. It makes him prey.
Does HE want to do this? If so? I would find an agent and then work with the agent. This is NOT free and it will cost you a ton of money. Agents aren't free.
When I see the little girls in pagents that are 4 years old? My heart breaks. Those girls never get to be kids, it seems. They grow up learning "how to be pretty".
Prepare yourself, your bank account and your son for this. It's WORK. It's NOT play. Think about the long term affects. If he makes it? Look at the struggles that child stars go through: drugs, alcohol, binge eating/bulimia, and more. think this through before you do it.
You can upload photos to Ford Models.com.
There are some real extreme answers here. Honestly just because a child is in a few commercials does not mean he or she will be the next child star, lead a huge life of fame, be depressed and do drugs, on and on. Whew! Slow the horses people. I've been in at lease a dozen commercials myself. Not because I want to get famous, but because it's fun. It's a growing experience. And I look at it in the same way for my kids. They get to see "behind the scenes," work with creative people on a creative process, and see how something works. I don't expect them to be the next famous kid star, nor would I allow that. Deep breathe people and realize you are always in control. We are so much more educated now than in years past.
If you're really wanting to get your kid in commercials, hook up and network with the prominent advertising agencies in your area. Also film studios. That's how we've done it. Honestly not even intentionally, just through good ol' friend of a friend of a friend.
Good luck!!
I worked with a woman who's children were in a lot of commercials and print ads. She had to be ready at a moment's notice to drive into NYC for auditions. She also had to be sure the kids had a variety of clothing because the agent would tell her what they should be dressed in for the casting call. Head shots were updated 2 or 3 times year to keep them current.
Her son got a lot of work because he was short for his age. Her daughter was that blond hair blue eye kid that was in high demand.
The thing to be aware of is that there's a lot of rejections; usually very abrupt and not nice because your kid doesn't fit exactly what the director is looking for.
Google "child actors, where are they now" then decide if that's the life you could possibly be leading your child into.
I would check with a casting agency.
First child needs to be comfortable with people other then you, you will be with in reach but will not be in the filming with the child. You can get a list of Commercial Agents from Screen Actors Guild, send photos and specs of child out, then you sit and wait to see if they contact you to represent your child. I received calls with in 24 hours of submission and one agent contacted me two months after the mailing.
