Suggestions/Advice For Modeling/talent Agencies in Los Angeles

I had a friend whos son did this a few years ago.
They used www.Osbrinkagency.com (in LA somewhere) and or www.childreninfilm.com.
I asked her once for this information, but I never went for it since my kids weren't that interested.
She also said that you'd have to get a work permit for the child (yep) - something to do with what happens to the salary etc. I don't really remember. But the agencies will most likely guide you.
Go on the websites, they'll tell you how to contact them to get started.
Good Luck!

I've always been a little curious about that. For what I know, you might need to be a little bit of a crazy stage mom. Watch for agencies that ask for money at front. Good luck!

J.,

Osbrink is the best. They rep Dakota Fanning and have done so since she was a toddler. We were called after sending a pic of our son at 12 months old and we brought him in. They needed to take him away from me into a back room and out of my sight to see how he would behave without a parent. They do this for about 5 minutes but if your child cries they immediately make a U turn and hand him right back to you. Only one parent is allowed to attend so you or your baby's father must wait outside. My baby cried the second I handed him to the agent (a woman who was very nice and non threatening.). I urged her to take him to see the other agents in the back just for a peek to see if they would be interested in him at all and in less than a minute she brought him back within view and back out through the glass doors and said they would like to see him at 18 months, hoping he would be over his separation anxiety.

There is another agency in San Diego that reps lots of babies. I can't recall their name but they are less prestigious even though they send their kids to many of the same castings as Osbrink. They have far more under representation than Osbrink which I think might be pickier. If you are just interested in print modeling, try Ford in Los Angeles. It is just for models and they rep from 6 months on. Good luck.

I would look into Osbrink Agency http://www.osbrinkagency.com/about.asp They are legit and will not ask for any money. You can upload pictures online and if they like what they see and have a need for your child, they will call you. Do some research, they are a very respected company.

Good luck!

Hi, J.,

I have not put my kids in modeling or acting, but my husband has worked in the entertainment business for several years and some of my friends have put their kids in modeling and acting. Based on what I've observed, for the vast majority of families, the amount of work involved for both parent and child makes modeling/acting not a very cost-effective way to save money for a child's college fund. (I think that most people would save more money for their kids by working (the adults working) and putting some of their earnings into a 529 account.) I would only do it if my kids expressed a strong interest in pursuing this activity as a job.

If you and your son are serious about this business, then you need to create a portfolio, which includes photos and a resume. As already mentioned, your son needs to get a work permit. All the kids I know who work in this business have at least one agent. You probably need to be free to take your son anywhere on a moment's notice at least a few days per week for auditions. Classes in acting, modeling, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, singing, etc. are considered desirable. To make it in this business, I think that it helps to be "a crazy stage mom." That's another reason I have not tried to get my kids into the entertainment business.

Sincerely,
Lynne E