To let my DD model?

[AwkwardMaryHadAnEasterLamb]

Hard hat is on. My DD is aged 7 in year three...she is very, very shy but very bright. She is very interested in media, loves learning about the machinations of TV advertising and about film making and animation. She is also very beautiful..(she really is...Im not being vain about her)

She has asked me a while ago how she could get to be in magazines and on TV....I don't even buy fashion mags....the only ones we have here are things like Country Living so she's been looking at the adverts in them and at supplements we get sent from clothing companies.

She studies the adverts and sort of takes them apart...she has hassled and hassled me about getting to audition for TV ads...i have naturally been reticent, not least because she is so very shy....( I mean shy in the extreme) I explained that the auditions would invlve a degree of performance and that she would be asked to talk to people she'd never met....she was still very keen.

So I did some research and found the best kids agency...very reputable...no charges at all except their percentage....no asking us to attend photo shoots for portfolios. They work from snaps....and their client list is impressive....I made extra sure of this companies reputation and it's all good.

They have accepted her for their Northern branch and have made it clear she'll now be put up for jobs. I am having a hear attack thinking about it. Not only will I have to take her...but possibly see her fall apart at auditions..they do tv ad stuff as well as fashion but I also have to deal with her feelings if she doesn't get parts....

WHat should I do? Let her go for it? How can I tell her no now I am having dobts about her self esteem getting affected? SHe wants to do this but I can't imagine the way she will react in these situations.

Can I ask what agengy it is please?

I only do casting for older models, 16 plus but it probably isn't that different. You would have a chat about your daughter, her exprience ect, they will explain the job (although your agent should brief you before hand about what and when the job is) they will look at her portfolio if she has one and take some shots themselves. For shoots it shouldn't take that long but ads might involve a lot more, I have no exprience in that area as I only do magazine work

I'd try it, my DD is very shy and yet performs confidently in pantos every year, has also been a backing dancer for a proper professional concert, it's a different sort of shyness/confidence.

If she hates it, give it up, just make sure she understands that it's few and far between

I would let here try it. Step in if you think there is a risk to her emotionally or to her education.

Me and my siblings used to do this when we were her age. We loved it!!

We were never the most confident children in the world, but being 'rejected' after auditions never bothered us. We understood that they were looking for something very specific (could be as simple as looking the most like someone else that gad already been cast) and this was either you or it wasn't!

Going on jobs was so much fun. You basically spend the day having lots of fun with other kids, having unlimited supply of food and drink, lots of waiting around and a bit of smiling or whatever! Not to mention a day off school if your lucky.

It's honestly just a bit of fun. She will only take it as seriously as you do.

*You're

I think there are an awful lot of pretty, photogenic 7 year olds. BUT I think the ones that would be wanted would definitely not be shy. She may well not get any castings even. She's with ann agency now so wait & see what happens & take any decisions from there.

I think you've forgotten something very important and that's to explain to your DD that this will often involve long days of waiting about doing nothing...and probably lots of long travel.

And also, while you may be 'open' to her having the odd day off school...it's quite likely the school won't be open to it and may issue a fine for unauthorised absence.

Having said that, there's no harm in allowing her to do it. If anything it might get it out of her system when she finds out how tough/boring it can be.

RedHelen they know she is shy and told me that plenty of them are...its more than a need for kids who are "showy" apparently...but rather ones who have the right look (not always the pretty ones either) and the ones who are polite and can sit around for a while without getting difficult or too bored.

Worra I did tell DD abut the waiting around and how there would be lots of kids about....the travel is limited as we are in the city.

The school I have already approahed and the HT is very open to it as long as I did not take her out on days when immportant group activities were taking place...she thinks DD might be able to learn something.

That's very understanding and unusual for a HT to feel that way, particularly with OFSTED on her back as they are with all schools.

I don't think it'll harm to just go for it and see how it pans out.

It is a very good school Worra...outstanding Ofsted and a very creative HT. The school has a reputation for encouraging all of its children to shine in their own way. The ht impressed me with her acceptance of DDs introverted nature...no pushing her to perform or to be smething she's not....it's all about making the kids be pleased with themselves for who they are and about the kids appreciating the different skills which they all have.

I'm amazed you have spoken to the headteacher about it when she hasnt even got any jobs yet. Were they genuinely interested?

The agency has taken her on *Rainbow" but we only found out last week...of course I discussed it with the HT....why would I not?

That's even more unusual then if OFSTED have given them outstanding.

If they had less than average attendance, they wouldn't have got that so their kids can't really be taking time off to pursue other things.

Especially when the agency made it clear that notice for castings and jobs is very short...sometimes only one day.

Well I don't know how Ofsted works Worra...but the school is excellent. One DD doing a bit of modelling now and then wont affect their attendance levels surely?

No it won't, but if other people get wind of it and start to take their kids out of school to pursue their hobbies, things may change.

Having said that, you have permission for now and that's all that matters.

OFSTED works to keep children shining and being creative in schools.

Is it Bruce & Brown?

The agency doesnt pay the casting fee, the client does and not all clients pay casting fees.

My DS was signed to Bonnie & Betty when we lived in London. Got shit loads of casting and lots of jobs - was great fun!

Or Urban Angels? I think they have a northern office.

I assume you're talking about kids Manchester? Theres a good child modelling thread on netmums.

To be fair even though you've signed her up she might never even be asked to a casting! TV work is really really rare so I wouldn't worry about that!

DS models, It's good fun, it's money for their bank account and i've got some beautiful photos that I would of never been able to have afforded by professional photographers.

My DS is only 7 months old so I'm not so worried about the impact it will have on him, but for the time being we love and it's so amazing seeing him smile out of websites and catalogues!

I was given to understand that Kids London and Manchester don't tend to take children on unless they're pretty sure they'll get asked to castings....of course that doesn't mean they will get a job at all....the booker was happy that she had the right look.

I won't be chatting about her modelling at school Worra so hopefully I won't start some rebellion off!

I would let her do it.
If she isn't successful it will be a very valuable lesson. If she is then good for her.

My DD models and has done so for the last 18 months.

At the castings my DD has attended, they have usually took v basic details such as age, shoe size and experience. Some photographers/ staff at casting have asked DD some questions about the outfit she is wearing and if she is reading when called in, what book it is- simple conversation.

Several photos have then been taken. As DD has got older, she has been required to follow more direction by the photographer.

Castings we have attended have usually ended with a thank you. There is no 'rejection' there and then. In our experience if she hasn't been required for the job, we have simply never heard back and assumed she has not been successful on that occasion.

We prefer not to think of any work that DD has not got as being 'rejection'- we think of it in terms of her not meeting the particular look that the company were looking for at that time. Getting a casting in the first place is often really positive in itself and that is the attitude we have always instilled in DD.

My DD has worked for several big companies now, but the money so far will not make her a millionaire! It will however be useful for putting towards driving lessons, uni books and that kind of thing if she wants in the longer term future. Modelling does involve waiting around, some grumpy photographers but the majority of her experiences have been ultimately enjoyable. DD has grown immensely in her confidence since modelling. She has become more sociable and that has been a huge bonus. We have also got some gorgeous photographs of DD that we will be able to treasure.

When DD no longer wants to model- that will be fine by us and she will stop. This is the healthy attitude we have always adopted regarding the modelling, which at the present is simply a hobby our DD has along with her footy tots!