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Original poster

Anyone with DCs who act in TV or Film?

19 replies

Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 11:57

I recently signed up both my DCs to an acting agent who approached me via their theatre club. I have done my research and they are a reputable, small scale agency who work mostly with children and teens.
I didn’t really expect much to happen, but it seems that my DD10 might have a very small part (2 scenes) in a big film.
Are there any parents on here that have children who act in film? I am keen to understand what to expect.
The agent is lovely and is happy to answer any questions, but I would like to hear it from a parent’s point of view. I have heard experiences from friends, but they were in films 20 years ago, and I expect things have changed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 16:03

Anyone?

OP posts:
boulevardofbrokendreamss · 14/09/2025 16:38

How much money do they want? They can be as lovely as you think but if they need money…

how could your dd2 have a part with no auditions.

dodgy

Original poster
Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 17:24

I haven’t paid any money.

She has sent self tapes and had auditions and now she has been offered the part. A very small part, (2 scenes, 1 line) in a big film.
I am interested to know what the filming will be like, if anyone has experience of it.

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Original poster
Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 17:25

They don’t ask for any payment upfront, obviously they take a percentage of her earnings.

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Itcantbetrue · 14/09/2025 17:26

How exciting op what type of theatre group

Lemintonic · 14/09/2025 17:27

My granddaughter is with an agency - also snapped up at a performance with her drama club. The only payment is the spotlight page, the agency did all the photos etc.
So far she's had several auditions but not been cast.
We're all just treating as as fun - if she gets a part then that's a bonus!

Lemintonic · 14/09/2025 17:28

I'm named as chaperone as dd is a medic and may not the time off I'd anything transpires. That would be incredibly exciting!

Zempy · 14/09/2025 17:29

DS did some film work when he was about 13. He was scouted from his theatre group.

He was very well chaperoned at all times. I did go when I could, but it was SOOOOO boring 90% of the time.

I hope they enjoy it.

greywolfie · 14/09/2025 17:31

Have they asked you to attend with your child? If not, there needs to be some kind of chaperone involvement, so I'd ask about that.
Will they need time off school? I know there's paperwork involved for this so you could ask about that too.
How are they getting paid?
Do you know enough about the content of the film and their scenes? Is it something you'd rather they didn't get involved in? Any risks to them emotionally or physically?

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 14/09/2025 17:34

Those are very sensible questions from @greywolfie . I’d got as far as “can we go to the premiere?” And “will I need a posh frock?” 😂

Original poster
Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 17:38

Yes, we need to get her a license, and she will need some days off school - but it looks like most of it will be during half term. Although, I imagine that it’s all very fluid and that we will need to be flexible.)
I have read the content warnings, and I am comfortable with them, and so is DD.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 17:41

@Zempyis it boring because there’s a lot of sitting around not doing anything?
The agent said that DD will have a chaperone (and a tutor if she has more than 3 days work, but I have no idea how long 2 scenes take? It can’t be very many days.)

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taxi4ballet · 14/09/2025 17:41

Your dc may need a child performance licence and there are all sorts of laws governing their hours and times of working, so maybe look up child employment on the gov.uk website. The agent should know about that anyway and also be able to advise.

Is it likely that the school will kick up a fuss about granting absence? Some are much more accommodating about that sort of thing than others. My dd's school were really awkward about it to start with until they finally saw sense. That was theatre though, not film/tv.

greywolfie · 14/09/2025 17:43

It can be very boring. Sometimes lots of waiting around. When the actual 'work' starts, that can be over very quickly!
I hope they enjoy it :)

hotchocfiend · 14/09/2025 17:45

Film and TV shoots have their exciting moments but as previous posters have said the days are long and mostly quite boring. If your DC love acting then they’ll probably have a great time but for you it will be a lot of waiting around. Bring a good book and warm jacket!

WeaselsRising · 14/09/2025 17:57

Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 17:41

@Zempyis it boring because there’s a lot of sitting around not doing anything?
The agent said that DD will have a chaperone (and a tutor if she has more than 3 days work, but I have no idea how long 2 scenes take? It can’t be very many days.)

It involves a lot of time waiting, having done it myself and with DD.

You will be surprised how long it takes. The first production my DD was in we were on set from early morning until 6pm to film ONE scene. When it was screened we had to freezeframe the TV to spot her!

They generally feed you well, with regular meals, drinks and snacks, and usually provide somewhere for waiting that is dry and relatively warm. IME they look after the children well. You generally hand them over to the Agency's Chaperones at a set time and collect them when told to. The only reason I was there for the first one was that it was a couple of hours away so they put us up in a hotel the night before. Generally if it's local they will expect you to just drop and go.

Labubus · 14/09/2025 19:45

I used to work in this industry. I’ve rarely heard of people, especially unknowns, being cast via tape. Be careful OP.

Labubus · 14/09/2025 19:45

I used to work in this industry. I’ve rarely heard of people, especially unknowns, being cast via tape. Be careful OP.

Original poster
Thingsthatgo · 14/09/2025 20:11

@LabubusWe have done self tapes and auditions, first on her own and then with a group of other children.
I think the two scenes involve 3 or 4 children, but no adults.

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