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AIBU?

To ask if anyone here has a child in modelling or acting?

24 replies

amammabear · 25/02/2017 22:26

I hope you don't mind me asking, I know this isn't really the right place, but I've been researching it for months and I'm just getting all in mess... I'm terrified of getting ripped off, or my Dr getting her hopes dashed.

She is desperate to get into acting, and in having trouble finding legitimate agencies, auditions etc and wondered if anyone could help me?

If there's a specific place for this, please feel free to direct me there!

OP posts:
EmeraldIsle86 · 25/02/2017 22:30

Desperate to 'get into' acting? I'd imagine a local drama group would be a good start, not aiming straight for auditions and agencies. How old?

PennyPickle · 25/02/2017 22:40

How old is your dd?

Redbookworm · 25/02/2017 23:00

My son is 10 years old and very keen to act. He recently was in local pantomime for 10 weeks after going to an open audition and now wants to do more acting.
We have enrolled him in a drama academy ( Saturday mornings) They have an agency to put the children forward for suitable auditions, maybe you could see if there is a drama group local to you for her to join.

amammabear · 25/02/2017 23:00

She is in a local group, I don't want to mention too many details for risk of outing us. She's ten

OP posts:
amammabear · 25/02/2017 23:01

Thanks red, there isn't anything with agency feed in around our area x

OP posts:
Redbookworm · 25/02/2017 23:02

Does her drama group have an agency? The teachers at the group maybe able to let you know of auditions she could try out for?

WorraLiberty · 25/02/2017 23:04

Whoever runs the local group should be able to point you in the right direction.

BornStroppy · 25/02/2017 23:04

buy The Stage.
sign her up to a drama course

IME drama schools tend to be approached for local auditions

VRex · 25/02/2017 23:05

My dd is a member of PQA (Pauline Quirke Acadamy) she has acting classes every Saturday and they have open auditions once a year to be on their agency books.

So far (3 years) shes been in an advert for a car company, modelled for some high street clothing lines and had a couple of auditions for musicals, tv show etc.

She loves it. They teach them how to present themselves for auditions as well as the usual "acting daaahling" lessons.

Have to say though, we do have to re apply every year to the agency for her to get put forward for work (with a fee for headshots) Hmm but it isnt that much in the grand sceme of things and she enjoys it.

Definitely be carefull and research any agency you find online or approach you randomly. Theres a lot of scammers out there!

Redbookworm · 25/02/2017 23:07

My son is also at PQA! I wasn't sure if I was allowed to say that!

happypoobum · 25/02/2017 23:07

DS did some professional acting when he was younger.He is an older teen now and no longer interested in acting as he is all about his music Grin

Anyhoo, local groups are great. But if she is serious you need to get her more involved in professional productions. So, the nearest city to you will have auditions for children to be in panto for example. I am assuming you are not near London which is why you are having to post.

Tbh i wouldn't stress too much. DS was adamant that acting was his life, and he got a scholarship to a well known school in London, but within a couple of years he was over it and on to the next thing.

Just do what you can but not at the expense of your own life or other DC.

happypoobum · 25/02/2017 23:09

Sorry. X post with the PQA posters.

Funnily enough, I did pay the exorbitant PQA fees for DS for 2 years. However, the professional film and West End Musical work he got was as a result of contacts he built up at his local AmDram group - NOT PQA.

PuraVida · 25/02/2017 23:12

The birds of a feather Pauline Quirke?

Witchend · 25/02/2017 23:12

I have 3 dc who perform.

Only one has performed professionally though so it may not be what you're looking for.

They all do some version of a drama class.
We are heavily involved in a local pantomime which they are all in annually, and a summer performance.

My older two have auditioned for other local drama groups.

My one who has performed professionally was through someone else who knew they were looking for someone similar to her. She did one performance, and they then asked her to come back for more.

They all enjoy it, and find it fun. The professional one was a lot of fun because some of it was touring, so staying in hotels etc. But they do get as much fun out of the local ones too.

happypoobum · 25/02/2017 23:15

Yes Pura !!!! Grin

PQA is fairly widespread. DS got into Italia Conti but that was really not related to PQA. I thought it was a bit of a rip off tbh. He got better guidance and support and contacts from regular AmDram. Plus he is naturally very gifted of course stupidly proud mum emoji

empirerecordsrocked · 25/02/2017 23:19

We live near London, all the local dance schools feed into the London shows, of they're relatively good they get a part. Lots of girls have starred in Matilda.

PingaPenguin · 25/02/2017 23:20

My son is a model.

There are a whole lot of scams out there so be careful who you apply to. There is some pages on Facebook for child model/actor parents with very good advice and lists of legitimate agencies.

VRex · 25/02/2017 23:23

Yes pura

I agree woth a previous poster about cost, it is a bit pricey and I think the actual tuition can vary quite regionally from what I hear, but considering we aren't anywhere near London, Dd has done quite well out of it.

VRex · 25/02/2017 23:24

*with

Must preview posts! Blush

amammabear · 25/02/2017 23:52

We're not actually near a city at all. It's a pain. She would love to go to a stage school, but I just couldn't afford it. The shows she does at her local group are excellent, but they don't feed into anything else at all.

OP posts:
PennyPickle · 25/02/2017 23:54

My DS attended Stagecoach from age 5 - 12. He was also on their books for their agency (Spotlight). It cost a fortune and not once was he offered any work. He is now 17 and his focus is on a career in medicine. DD (15) has never been a member of any agency. She attends a local drama, singing, dance group and has been approached to appear in several TV ads, publications and catalogues.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 25/02/2017 23:56

How far from London are you OK?

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sparepantsandtoothbrush · 25/02/2017 23:56

Oops...OP

amammabear · 25/02/2017 23:59

Hours unfortunately sparepants

OP posts:
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