Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning

Child Actor

No matter what your age. You could be seven, 11, or 15 years old. Opportunities are available for you to start acting in a film. The film, television, cable, DVD, and Internet industries are experiencing dramatic growth. The increase in options for acting jobs is the result of this.

Every year, numerous movies feature child actors in both minor and significant roles. Oscar-nominated Little Miss Sunshine is one example. As a child of Charlotte’s Web, Dakota Fanning starred in at least one movie a year. She even worked with such notable stars as Tom Cruise (War of the Worlds) and Denzel Washington (Man on Fire).

Fanning has now grown up and is working in the industry as an adult. She stars in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.

Rewards of Being a Child Actor

The rewards you experience from pursuing an acting career are many. You get to spend quality time with your parents. You will learn something new every day on the set. You will build your self-confidence and have a better understanding of others.

Working in film is a highly effective way to finance your college education. If your parents act as your manager, they can earn 20% of your income.

Becoming an Actor in Film

Wanting to be in the movies is not enough to become an actor in the film industry. It takes passion and one of your parents’ willingness to help you. You and your parents work as a team, both committed to the success of your business.

Building a career in the movie business is a full-time job. Each of you will take time out of your schedule to attend auditions and film sets — the days are long and, for the most part, tedious. If you take the right actions mentioned in this article, there is a good chance you will be successful.

Arnold Talks About Breaking into Acting

Guardian with Child Actor

If parents cannot be with you as you pursue your acting career, a guardian can take their place. The guardian can be a grandparent, an older sibling, a babysitter, or another trusted adult. It needs to be a safe and responsible person.

A guardian does what a parent would do:

• Go with your son or daughter to auditions.
• They stay with them on the film sets.

They need a guardian because it is a legal requirement. Underage actors are not allowed to attend auditions and film sets alone. A responsible adult needs to be with them at all times.

Shirley Temple is the icon of child actors.

Cities Supporting Film Production

Convincing your parents to move to Hollywood is not necessary to break into the business. Many cities have a film production community.

At times, major film companies come to cities across the United States to film on location. Popular film locations:

• Atlanta
• San Francisco
• Chicago
• New York
• Vancouver. Canada
• Austin
• Orlando
• Seattle

If you live near or in one of these cities, you can start right away.

First Steps to Building Your Acting Career

Here are suggestions to get your film acting career started:

• Get involved with the drama department at your school
• Enroll in a local acting class for children
• Sit in on a class or two before deciding to enroll
• Get valid feedback on the acting class and make sure it is a suitable class and teacher for you
• You want to feel comfortable. Have your parent talk to the other parents who have children in the class
• Research and find a legitimate agent
• Agents registered with the union are the ones you should see. Union agents follow the rules because they are union-regulated by their members. It encourages them to adhere to the business’s laws.

How to Get an Agent

Agencies require actors unless they have a reputation and are known to be talented to audition for them before signing them up and representing them. Getting an audition with an agency is a step forward in the right direction for building your acting career.

Once you book an audition with an agency, you need to do the following:

• Bring a headshot and resume to the meeting. It doesn’t have to be a professional headshot. The resume includes on-camera experience, parts in theatrical productions, and acting teachers.
• Work with your acting teacher on putting together a monologue for your audition.
• Practice with your parents on being interviewed by an agent. You might meet with the agent alone or with your parents.
• Practice until you are comfortable talking about yourself. Being comfortable in the interview with an agent makes a solid first impression.
• When you meet with an agent, find out what they need for headshots and resumes. Agents typically provide standard handouts to their clients, accompanied by specific instructions.
• Please review these instructions with your parents and ensure you understand them. If you have any questions, please ask the agent immediately.
• Always be on the positive side. Never give up.
• Remember to have fun!

Sample of a Headshot

Child Support

Having your parents support you as you break into the film business is commendable. The rewards are plenty. Continue researching and staying current with the industry. The more you know, the better. It can only make your job of finding work a lot easier. Good Luck!