Children on Screen: Landing a Role in Film and Television

by Frederick Levy

Overview

A guidebook for child and teen actors and their parents on the UK and US TV and Film industries from top Hollywood talent manager Frederick Levy.

• Training
• The Tools (Headshots, CV)
• The Players (Agents, Managers)
• Auditions
• Booking the Job
• Working on set
• Publicity
• Child Labor Laws
• Education
• Parents in the Biz
• Building a Career

Filled with anecdotes about working in the business, the book is an entertaining and informative read, offering firm, practical advice not just from the author but also from other actors, acting coaches, agents and casting directors from both sides of the Atlantic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781783191246
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/01/2015
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Frederick Levy is the owner of Management 101, a firm that guides the careers of child actors, adult actors, authors, screenwriters, and directors. In addition to his day-to-day management of clients, he also develops and produces feature films and television programs. Levy is the author of five best-selling books about the entertainment industry.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 13

Preface 15

1 The Youth Generation 19

This Is Our Youth 19

Employers 22

Variety 23

Ever-Changing Market 24

2 Before You Begin, Start Where You Began 26

Home Sweet Home 27

School Ties 28

Basic Training 29

Life Is a Stage 31

The YouTube Revolution 34

Local Film Productions 35

L.A., New York, or London 37

Making the Move 38

3 The Players 42

Managers and Agents 42

Managers 42

Agents 46

How to Get Representation 50

Scout's Honor 52

What Are You Looking For? 58

Blind Submissions 61

The Rest of Your Team 62

Acting Coach 63

Publicist 69

Entertainment Attorney 70

Business Manager 71

Studio Teacher 72

Other People You Should Know 72

Casting Directors 72

Producers 74

Everyone Else 75

You - And How You Fit In 75

4 The Tools 77

Headshot 78

Résumé 81

Experience 82

Training 83

Special Skills 83

Comp Cards 84

Reel 85

5 While You Are Waiting 87

Journal 88

Analyze This 89

TV junkie 122

Classes, Coaching, and Preparation 123

Working with Scene Partners 126

Reading List 127

Self-Submission 129

Practice and Experience 131

Getting into the Unions 132

Extra Work 133

Working Out and Staying in Shape 136

Self-Promotion 137

6 The Audition 140

Where Do Auditions Come From? 142

Pre-Audition Materials 143

The Lobby 144

Pre-Read 146

Feedback 149

Callback 151

Testing 154

General Meetings 156

7 Booking the Job 160

Avails 161

Thank-You s 167

Building Momentum and Booking the Next Job 167

Rejection 168

8 On the Set 173

Pre-production 174

The Night Before 176

Once You Arrive 177

Paperwork 177

On the Clock 178

Food, Glorious Food 179

Trailers 180

9 The Power of Publicity 181

Your Own Best Agent 182

Creating Buzz 183

Fans 184

Social Media 186

Spreading the Word 187

Charity 189

10 For Kids Only 191

Child Labor Law 192

Entertainment Work Permits 192

Coogan Accounts 194

Education 195

The Hours 202

For the Lads and Lasses 204

11 Parents in the Biz 208

I Can Do That 209

What You Should Be Doing 212

Roles of the Parent on Set 217

Moving On 220

12 The Big Picture 223

The Luck Factor 223

The Proactive Actor 225

Goals 226

Building a Career 227

How to Manage Your Manager… as Well as the Rest of Your Team 228

Jumping the Pond 229

Growing Up and out of the Youth Market 232

The Long and Winding Road 233

Appendix 237

Networks 237

Studios 238

Unions 238

Reading List 239

Additional Websites 239

Agencies 240

UK Youth Agencies 266

Management Firms 288

Glossary 307

Index 315

About the Author 320