Talent Agents
If you are considering starting a showbiz career for your child, you are probably wondering what talent agents look for in a child. Talent agents meet and interview many children, but they only choose a small number of those they see to be their clients.
How can you be sure that talent agents will chose your child? It is important to look closely at your child before deciding to take them to interview with talent agents.
There are certain characteristics that make a child more likely to succeed in show business, and it is these same characteristics that make them appeal to talent agents and other entertaiment industry professionals. (For more information on talent agents, see “Talent Agents.” Also, check for ATA talent agents in LA, NY, and several other locations -> ATA agents.)
When my daughter was young, she often got the attention of those around her. She possessed a large degree of self-confidence, a desire to entertain, and an infectious smile and laugh. People, even complete strangers, often either commented to us that she’d be president some day or that she was going to be a star.
My daughter’s combination of personality and self-confidence, and to a lesser degree, her looks, was what first got her noticed in the entertainment industry. Her talent in singing and acting also played a big part in her being chosen by show business professionals, including talent agents.
Talent agents are typically looking for a variety of characteristics that are likely to indicate that your child could have a successful acting or modeling career. So, “What do talent agents look for in a child?”
There is no simple answer to this question. Part of this is really just a feeling that talent agents get when they meet your child. However, there are a number of characteristics that are likely to help your child be selected by talent agents for representation.
Your child is likely to get the attention of talent agents and other entertainment industry professionals if he or she:
- Has a friendly, outgoing, and fun personality.
- Is comfortable around other children and adults when first meeting them, and is not afraid to leave your side.
- Is very confident.
- Has a “good look.” A good look can be beauty, or it can include features such as big eyes, freckles, great hair, curly hair, red hair, dimples, a great smile, or full lips. Or it can be an unusual or exotic look, mixed ethnicity, or ambiguous ethnicity. It may include classic looks such as the Kid-Next-Door or the All-American-Kid look. This does not mean that your child has to be beautiful.
- Has charisma. This means that people tend to be attracted to your child for any one of a variety of possibly unidentifiable reasons. This is sometimes called the “it factor.”
- Loves to be in the spotlight.
- Can be patient.
- Is or can be well-behaved.
- Is very focused.
- Is expressive.
- Is photogenic and/or looks good on film.
Other factors that may help your child to be noticed by talent agents are talent in music, dance, acting, or sports, looking younger than actual age, maturity, intelligence, good communication skills, good memorization skills, good reading ability, and ability to follow directions well. This list could certainly go on and on.
Most children won’t have all the things listed above, but if your child possesses a number of them, then it is likely that talent agents will be interested in your child.
If your child does not possess many of these, it doesn’t mean your child can’t become a model or actor, but it may make it a little harder for you to get representation for your child. It may indicate that you need to find a coach to work with your child before you go for interviews with talent agents.
It also may just mean the time is not right for your child to interview with talent agents due to ” a stage” he or she is going through. In six months or a year, a child can change considerably, so you can take a look again when your child matures a little bit.
To your success,
Debbie Sikkema
9 comments
Chris from mgctables says:
October 23, 2011 at 11:35 pm (UTC -8)
I think a friendly, outgoing and fun personality is the most important thing talent agents look for in a child. I love children that have those characters.
Sam from Air Purifier says:
October 31, 2011 at 12:08 pm (UTC -8)
ALL of your points are great and true, I think one other thing that a child should have (but doesn’t necessarily NEED) if they possess enough of the other traits- is Drive. Sometimes the parents aren’t the ones pushing the kids, the kids are the ones pushing the parents to let them act. And I’ve seen that drive produce stars, but like I said they really have to have that motivation. I’m just saying if there is a kid who might not be the best looking but has enough desire and focus at a young age to try and follow their dreams sometimes that’s what you need- as an adult drive and motivation is a huge factor in Hollywood, it can be what makes or breaks you. But luckily some people, kids or grown-ups have that “it” factor and that can also be enough to get you by.
Debbie Sikkema says:
October 31, 2011 at 8:56 pm (UTC -8)
Hi Sam,
Thanks for reading and commenting (again)! Good point (again). That is something I should add to things that talent agents look for in a child actor. They do look for that drive in kids — to see that the kid really wants this and is willing to work hard to make it happen. It certainly does take a lot of hard work and sacrifice to pursue an acting career. So many people see all the glitz and don’t really think about the dedication and hard work that it takes. For really young kids, the drive may not be so much of a factor, but certainly as children get older, the drive is important.–Debbie
Debbie Sikkema says:
November 1, 2011 at 9:15 pm (UTC -8)
Hi Chris,
Yes, I agree that a friendly, fun, and outgoing personality in a child is very appealing! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on it.
Warm regards,
Debbie
Angelica says:
November 29, 2011 at 6:46 pm (UTC -8)
good information
Marjorie says:
December 30, 2011 at 1:26 pm (UTC -8)
Hi Ms. Debbie Sikkema,
Thanks for posting this. It will be really helpful for an interview. But, there is one question I have to ask- What if your parents are stubborn and does not want their child to chase their dreams? I have the qualities that would attract an agent (well, most of them). To add on to my questions, what do you mean by “looking good on film”?
-Marj
Thanks!!!:)
Debbie Sikkema says:
February 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm (UTC -8)
Hi Marjorie,
I know it can be difficult to pursue your dreams as a child if your parents don’t support you. Becoming an actor is a very difficult dream to pursue. It is especially difficult for a child — partly because your parents have to help you. You can still pursue it on your own to some degree, but you do need their support to get a talent agent and headshots and go to auditions and get jobs. Do what you can on your own — get into plays and other performing opportunities at school and church and do anything your parents will allow you to do related to acting. Then maybe they’ll see how much you love it and help you. Otherwise, you can get all the experience possible so you can pursue it on your own when you are older.
Looking good on film just means that you are photogenic. Some people seem to look great on film and others not so much. It is helpful if you are one of those who seems to shine in pictures and on film.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Good luck to you Marj.
To your success,
Debbie
ngela from Aluv says:
February 20, 2012 at 12:19 pm (UTC -8)
So much simple, yet useful information. I enjoy reading your articles. Thank you for sharing your insight. I have a son that absolutely has the “IT factor” and the determination to perform, whether in line at the post office or on film. I’m a reluctant, clueless mother with no industry knowledge or ambition to have a child actor. I have so many reservations about his well being. But he wants to work, he wants to get feedback that I fear could damage his confidence & make being a kid more stressful than necessary. But I’ve got a dazzling, smart, well liked, independent actor. That’s what he is and has been from birth. I can’t stop his charisma, so here I go, along for the ride.
Feye from Pediatric Dentist says:
February 21, 2012 at 12:46 am (UTC -8)
Very true! Talents for a child actor is far different from adult. A child only needs to be himself/herself, having a good look doesn’t always a need since they could be use in comedy show or somewhere.