Preparing your child for their first casting call is an exciting journey that can open doors to new opportunities and experiences. Proper preparation is key to helping your child shine and feel confident during the audition process. Here is how you can take practical steps to ensure your child is ready to make a great impression.

Understanding the Casting Call Process

A casting call is essentially an open invitation for actors or models to audition for specific parts in films, television shows, commercials, etc. For children, casting calls present unique opportunities to explore their talents and gain experience in a competitive yet rewarding field.

Types of Casting Calls

Casting calls for children can vary widely depending on the nature of the project:

• Film and Television: These casting calls seek young actors for roles in movies. Roles can range from lead characters to supporting parts and even background extras.
• Commercials: Opportunities in advertising involve children acting in TV or online commercials, promoting products or services. These roles often require expressive reactions and the ability to convey emotions effectively in short segments.
• Print Modeling: Print ads for magazines, and billboards often feature child models showcasing clothing, toys, or lifestyle products. These casting calls focus on children who are photogenic and respond well to direction during photoshoots.
• Voice-Over Work: Animated films, cartoons, and commercials may require children’s voices. Voice-over casting calls look for young talents with clear diction and the ability to bring characters to life using only their voice.
• Theater and Live Performances: Stage productions offer roles that require singing, dancing, and acting live before an audience. These casting calls demand a higher level of commitment due to rehearsals and live performances.

What Casting Directors Look For

Casting directors play a pivotal role in selecting the right talent for a project. When it comes to children, they assess several key attributes:

• Talent and Skill: Natural ability in acting or modeling is important. This includes expressiveness, timing, and the capacity to convey emotions convincingly.
• Authenticity: Directors appreciate children who are genuine and can bring a sense of realism to the role. They look for personalities that shine through rather than forced performances.
• Adaptability: The ability to take direction and adapt quickly to changes is crucial. Children who can adjust their performance based on feedback are highly valued.
• Professionalism: Punctuality, preparedness, and good manners reflect well not just on the child but also on the parents. Professional behavior indicates reliability, which is essential in the industry.
• Look and Presence: Depending on the role, certain physical attributes may be required. However, uniqueness and charisma often stand out more than meeting a specific appearance criterion.

The Casting Call Experience

Understanding what happens during a casting call can ease the uncertainty of the process:

• Initial Submission: Before being invited to an audition, you may need to submit your child’s headshots and resume in response to a casting notice. Sometimes, this includes a demo reel or self-taped audition.
• The Audition: At the casting call, your child may be asked to perform a script (sides), partake in an improvisational exercise, or demonstrate specific skills like singing or dancing. For modeling, they might be photographed or asked to walk.
• Interviews: Casting directors may engage your child in a casual conversation to gauge their personality, confidence, and communication skills.
• Callbacks: If the casting team is interested, your child may be invited for a callback—a second audition to further assess their suitability for the role.

Preparing for the Process

Now that you have an idea of the casting call process and opportunities, as a parent, your involvement is significant. Once you have found a casting call for your kid to attend, and done your research, you need to prepare yourself and your kid.

Mental preparation

It’s important to have realistic expectations, but also be prepared and ready for the call.

• Review the notice: Read the audition details carefully. Note the time, location, any specific instructions etc. Plan the journey, review the traffic and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early to account for any unexpected circumstances.
• Set emotional expectations: Have an open conversation with your child and explain the audition process in simple terms. Make sure they feel that it’s an opportunity to have fun and showcase their talents. Also let them know that not getting a role is also normal and does not reflect their worth or talent.
• Build confidence: Encourage your child to believe in themselves. You can do so by reminding them of past successes, no matter how small. Practicing can also help with becoming comfortable in performing for an audience.
• Managing anxiety: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing can help them calm themselves. Let the kid know that feeling nervous is natural, and they can control it.

Physical Preparation

Weeks, or even months before the casting call, you need to make sure that your kid is physically ready to attend the call.

• Rest and Nutrition: Make sure your kid gets enough sleep before their casting day. Also provide them with nutritious meals to keep their energy levels steady.
• Appropriate attire: Unless specified, choose simple, comfortable clothing that suits the role they are auditioning for. Avoid overly flashy outfits, distracting accessories etc. Make sure that the hair looks clean, nails are trimmed and the clothes are tidy and without creases to make a good first impression.
• Headshots, portfolio, and Resumes: Update your child’s headshots or portfolio to reflect their current look. Professional photos are ideal, but you don’t have to hire a professional photographer. High-quality images taken at home can suffice if done well too. Prepare a brief resume listing any relevant experience, skills or hobbies to showcase your kid’s personality. Bring multiple copies in case more than one casting director is present.

Practicing for the Audition

Depending on the type of call, the type of practice will also differ drastically. You will have to practice individual skills in set sessions.

Here are some general skills to practice:

• Scripts or Monologues: If you have a script, help your child memorize their lines. Break the script into small, manageable sections and practice often. Also discuss the character’s emotions and motivations to deepen their understanding.
• Voice and Diction: Work on clear enunciation and appropriate volume. Simple tongue twisters and reading out loud can help with pronunciation. Encourage expressive speaking to convey emotion effectively.
• Body Language and Movement: Teach your kid the importance of posture and gestures. Practicing in front of a mirror can help them become aware of their body language. Make sure to focus on natural movements that complement their performance.

Role-Playing and having Mock Auditions can help with familiarizing your kid with the casting process.

• Simulate the Audition environment: Conduct mock auditions. If required and possible, also create a makeshift stage for them to perform their lines as if in front of casting directors.
• Provide feedback: Offer constructive criticism for them to improve, but also don’t forget to praise them to boost their confidence and motivation.
• Record Practice Sessions: Recording practice sessions as videos lets your child view themselves from an audience’s perspective. This makes reviewing easier, letting you work on specific aspects. 

At the Audition of your Kid’s Casting

Once you have done your preparation and finally arrived, it’s time for your kid’s performance. 

Before that, you need to make sure of certain things. 

• Check-in Procedures: On arrival, locate the registration area and sign in.
• Waiting Room: Encourage your child to be calm and focused. If your kid is very young, bring quiet activities like a book or drawing pad to keep them occupied.  Be polite and courteous with all staff members regardless of rank, and also with other parents and children.
• Final Reminders: Before your kid’s casting, offer gentle encouragement. Remind them to listen carefully for instructions and enjoy the experience.

As final advice to your child, you may want to tell them the following:

• Be Authentic: Advise your child to be themselves. Authenticity can set them apart from others who may be trying too hard to impress or put on a fake persona.
• Follow Directions: Emphasize the importance of listening and responding promptly to any directions given by the casting team. This shows professionalism and adaptability.
• Expect to handle unexpected changes: Prepare your child for possible on-the-spot changes, such as trying new lines or actions. This would not be a problem if you practice improvisation exercises at home to build flexibility.

Once the audition is over, regardless of the results, there are certain things you must do as a parent to keep them encouraged and ready for the next challenge.

• Celebrate their efforts: Acknowledge your child’s hard work. Celebrate their courage in participating and highlight positive aspects of their performance.
• Discuss improvements: Gently discuss any challenges they faced and ways to overcome them in future auditions. Keep the conversation positive and solution-oriented.
• Manage Expectations: Explain that hearing back can take time and that not all auditions lead to callbacks. Encourage patience and emphasize that each audition is a learning opportunity.

Handling Rejection and Success

Once you get the results, it will be time to take the next steps depending on the outcome.

If they were rejected, teach them that rejection is a normal part of the industry and not a failure. Share stories of successful actors who faced numerous rejections before achieving their goals. If possible and appropriate, consider seeking feedback from the casting team, and plan for future auditions.

If they successfully land the role, discuss the upcoming commitments and responsibilities. What else they will have to practice and so on. 

Regardless of outcome, ensure that your child’s involvement in casting calls doesn’t overshadow other important aspects of their life, such as schoolwork, hobbies, and time with friends and family.

Conclusion

Preparing your child for their first casting call involves emotional readiness, skill development, and practical planning. By following these steps, you can help your child approach auditions with confidence and poise. Remember, each audition is a stepping stone, and with your support, your child can navigate the casting world successfully.

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