Category Archives: Acting

Acting, Modelling

Auditions for Kids: How to Prepare

Posted on by Casting Kids
acting auditions melbourne
29
Jun

So, you’ve got your child a casting agent and audition offers are rolling in. But how can you help them prepare? Here are some ideas you can use when getting ready for auditions for kids.

Understand the role

Firstly, it’s important that you understand the role your child is auditioning for. This is where your referring casting agency should be able to give you plenty of information. It might be as simple as understanding that the job is for a clothing commercial or modelling for a camping goods store. Whatever the role is, you’ll be able to plan better if you know the details.

Don’t worry about getting everything absolutely perfect for an audition. Casting directors understand that you don’t have all the details for the job. But with a general idea, you can at least plan accordingly, such as getting the right clothing.

Help your kids with clothing choices

Speaking of clothing, try to make an effort for auditions. We’ve heard stories of parents who make unique outfits for every single audition. You don’t’ need to go that far, but any effort in this area is obviously appreciated by directors. For example, if you know that the ad is going to feature some cute kids dressed in suits, that’s what you should wear.

If you know the commercial will feature kids outside playing in the sun, make sure they’re wearing trendy kid’s summer fashion. It’s not a make-or-break scenario, but any way that you can stand out to the director is a good thing.

Practice with your kids

If your agency has given you any special details for an audition, for example, some lines, make sure you help them practice. This is where kids who are interested in acting and modelling really need some family support. It’s hard to practice reading lines alone, especially for kids.

So, put aside some time before the audition and help your kids run through the lines. Not only will you be able to give them some pointers, but the practice will give them a confidence boost on audition day.

Reinforce an element of fun rather than pressure

Most importantly, auditions for kids should always be fun. Even if your child is determined to make acting their career from a young age, you should never overburden them with pressure. There will be other auditions, and they need to learn that missing out on jobs is just part of life.

The added benefit here is that kids who are stressed often don’t perform well at auditions. When they’re relaxed and having fun, the casting director gets a much better idea of their personality.

Need help getting auditions for kids?

Casting Kids has been in business for over 16 years. We’ve helped countless children get their break in acting or modelling. Our client list is constantly growing, meaning we have more and more opportunities for child actors. If you’d like to know more, click the button below and contact us for registration. We meet all of our kids and their parents before registration, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Acting, Blog

The Unseen Value of Melbourne Acting Agencies

Posted on by Casting Kids
melbourne acting agencies
17
Jun

If you’re considering getting your child into acting, this article explains why you need Melbourne acting agencies. However, we’re not going to be looking at the standard, obvious reasons you want an agency’s help. Here is some of the hidden value of signing with an acting agency.

Advice and support

Perhaps the most invaluable resource your acting agency can provide is advice. Especially where kids are concerned, they’re not likely to have a lot of experience. Acting for kids is often very different to adult acting where there’s an expectation that everybody has a certain level of proficiency.

For kids, the whole industry is new, so getting some advice from your agency is always helpful. It could be something simple, like giving you ideas on how to improve your child’s chances – maybe acting lessons or participating in local plays. Whatever advice and ongoing support you get from your agency are going to help your child in the long run.

Early notice for upcoming opportunities

When you’ve got an agency looking out for you, you’ve got more chance of finding work. That’s a given, because your agency should be contacting you when auditions come up. But the hidden benefit here is that agents know which jobs are coming up, even before they’re announced. Through their industry contacts, Melbourne acting agencies have the inside word on upcoming TV shows, movies and other larger projects that will be coming up in future.


This gives you an opportunity to plan, practice, and get your child ready for future opportunities. It’s always great to have a little advantage over the competition, and being able to prepare early for upcoming auditions is certainly one of those advantages.

Industry network profiles

While you won’t get it with all Melbourne acting agencies, one of the benefits you often find is having a profile on important industry networks. Here at Casting Kids, we provide all of our registered child actors with a profile on Casting Networks. It serves almost as a resume or portfolio, not to mention some other benefits.

So, if you’re serious about getting your child into acting, consider signing up with a reputable Melbourne acting agency. Having these profiles can mean your child gets more work.

Find the best Melbourne acting agencies today

Casting Kids has been helping children realise their dreams for over 16 years. We’re fully inclusive, signing children of all abilities. We’re also honest about your prospects, so if we feel that we won’t be able to find work for your child, we’ll tell you straight away. We love what we do, and we’re fully invested in helping our kids find work and get their start in the industry.

Contact Casting Kids today to arrange a meeting. We make a point to meet all of our children and their parents before signing, just so that we can understand your expectations and goals, and you can all ask as many questions as you like. To get started, simply call or fill out the registration form today!

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Acting, Modelling

Types of Kids Modelling and Acting Jobs

Posted on by Casting Kids

So, you’ve got a little one showing a bit of flair for performance? Of course, we don’t mean the routine performing of tantrums! Many children show a genuine fondness for being the centre of attention. They’re happy, smiling, and live singing or dancing in front of the family. If that sounds like your child, they may be the perfect candidate for kids modelling or acting.

It can be a great way to make a little extra money, whether it’s for school or a car when the kids are older. Plus, they’ll get a kick out of knowing they earned that money themselves. But of course, wanting to be involved in modelling and actually getting involved are two different things. It can be difficult to find work, which is why you should look into a kid’s talent agency if you’re serious about pursuing a career for your little ones.

Here are some of the different kinds of kids modelling and acting jobs available.

Print/online media

While we don’t see as many paper catalogues in the mailbox these days, there is still plenty of work available for child models. In fact, there’s probably more work than ever. Producing a catalogue costs money that many small clothing manufacturers or retailers simply don’t have. But they all have websites that need professional images to highlight their products.

So, there are lots of jobs out there for kids modelling, especially if your little ones love dressing up in new clothes and posing for the camera!

Kids modelling and acting in commercials

The other place we see a need for models and child actors is on the small screen. Television commercials are still widely popular, and again, the digital age has made this area of work even more prevalent. Much like catalogues, getting an advertisement on TV during prime time costs a lot of money, meaning many businesses can’t afford it.

However, they certainly can afford to make short online advertisements that play wither on their own website, social media channels or on YouTube. With so many different sources of advertising these days, kids are always needed for commercials.

TV and movies

It’s a bit of a step up, but TV shows and movies always need child actors. The roles can vary from being an extra to having a lead role, but there are always opportunities out there. For these jobs, you definitely need a children’s talent agency to get involved. Successful child actors usually have some form of formal or at least semi-formal acting training.

If this is an avenue your child would like to pursue, we recommend getting them involved in drama or acting classes, modelling classes, and even singing or dance lessons. The more string your child has to their bow, the more opportunities they will get.

Looking for the best kids modelling and acting agencies?

Casting Kids has over 16 years of experience working with children of all ages. We’re an inclusive agency, registering children with all abilities. For a child’s agency that cares, look no further than Casting Kids.

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Acting, Modelling

When to Look for Casting Agents in Melbourne

Posted on by Casting Kids
casting agents melbourne
26
May

Has your child shown an interest in acting or modelling? Do you often get told by others that your child could be on TV? These are both some good signs that you might want to consider looking for casting agents in Melbourne. Of course, just because a child loves being the centre of attention, that doesn’t mean they’re ready for stardom. But it’s certainly a sign that you may want to look further into the performing arts.

Here are a few other ways you might know it’s time to consider an agent.

Your child wants to be an actor

The first one is pretty obvious, of course, and that’s when your child tells you they want to be an actor. Many children say this, however, there are certain kids who really mean it. So, if your child says they want to act, why not explore this further with them?

Ask if they would be interested in taking acting lessons. Maybe there’s a school play they could try out for. Of course, you can try to get an agent straight away, but it’s always a good idea to see if children really like acting or modelling first. They may love the idea of being on TV, but they also might be terrified of performing in front of people, so it’s always best to test the waters first.

They perform well in productions

For most kids, the need for a casting agent doesn’t come out of nowhere. Often, they will already be interested in performing. Whether it’s dancing in front of family and friends, singing in a choir or acting in a school play, there are many ways for kids to show their desire to perform.

If your child is already having fun performing in local arts society plays or school productions and you think they’ve got something special, it might be time to consider a casting agent in Melbourne.

You notice other kids getting opportunities

We don’t suggest that you thrust your child into acting just because other kids are doing it. However, if you notice that other children are going to auditions or appearing in TV commercials, it might be worth thinking about. As long as your child is interested, of course. Acting and modelling are professions you should never push kids into. But if they want to, and they see their friends having fun with it, why not give it a try?

Want casting agents in Melbourne you can trust?

Casting Kids has a long history of representing children with all abilities. Our kids range from babies up to 16 years old. We’ve got a strong reputation in the industry because we always deliver great kids to our clients. This is why so many clients trust us.

If you think your child has what it takes to be an actor or model, we’d love to meet you. We don’t sign every child who applies, because we want to be certain we can find work for them. If we don’t think that’s likely, we won’t take your registration fees. Having said that, we are completely inclusive and don’t discriminate against any child who wants to be a star!

Contact Casting Kids today to find out more about how we can help you and your child. We’re the casting agents in Melbourne you can trust.

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Acting, Modelling

What Does Casting for Babies Involve?

Posted on by Casting Kids
casting for babies
04
May

Acting and modelling for babies is a great way to earn a little extra money and give your baby a fun experience. Most people running casting for babies are skilled in making it fun for everyone. Of course, your baby won’t be thinking about a future career, but you can potentially earn a nice bit of money to put aside for them.

Here are some of the things you should know about casting for babies, and how you can maximise the experience.

An overview of the job

Before you attend casting, or an audition, you should have a good idea of the job’s requirements. More importantly, what is the job for? While this information may not make a huge amount of difference, it’s good to know. Your baby obviously won’t be expected to learn lines or do anything too complicated. However, you probably still want to know what kind of advertisements they might appear in.

If you have a reputable casting agent, they should provide you with all of the information you need. This will include casting address, a contact person’s name and any other guidelines for the day.

Clothing guidelines

One of the things that may be required when attending casting for babies is special clothing. As we mentioned, babies aren’t expected to do anything too complicated. Most of the time, they won’t need any special clothes or costumes. However, in rare circumstances a casting call may ask for a particular colour of clothing.

If there are no guidelines, use your own intuition. When you’ve got some details about the advertisement and who it’s for, why not play up to that? If it’s for a clothing brand, try to attend the audition with your baby dressed in that brand.

Casting for babies is unpredictable

As we know, anything involving our little ones can be quite unpredictable. As such, directors don’t expect perfection. Generally, casting directors are looking for a happy, smiling baby who can look cute on camera. However, they understand that a child who is charming on one day may not be the next day.

Don’t stress too much about the audition, because directors are used to working with children and babies. Temperament is important, but when it comes to babies, that can change within seconds, let alone days. Just keep the experience positive and fun, and hopefully your baby has a great time too.

Looking for casting for babies?

If you’ve got a little one that you’d love to see on the big or small screen, or even in other forms of advertising, we can help. Casting Kids has been helping children realise their dreams for over 16 years, and we’ve built up a strong client base who trust us.

We’re also fully inclusive, representing babies and children of all abilities. It all starts with a meeting where we get to know you and your child. So, don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us online to find out how we can help.

Acting

How to Score Extra Castings

Posted on by Casting Kids
extra castings
03
May

Do you have dreams of one day seeing your face on the silver screen? Well, while only a few people ever get to realise that dream, there are other ways of getting your moment of fame without becoming a Hollywood celebrity. Extra castings are held regularly to find the right types of people to appear in the background of TV shows, movies and even commercials.

If your child is interested in exploring the world of acting but they’re not sure if they want to do it seriously yet, extra castings are a great way to go. They could find themselves in the background of their favourite TV show. Plus, extras get paid, so you can make some good money from being an extra!

Why is it fun to be an extra?

Extras get to go behind the scenes of productions and see how everything works, even if they don’t have a starring role. They may not be credited as a cast member, but their presence on screen still adds to the overall production. So, it’s quite an important job for many commercials, TV shows and movies.

Depending on the production, it can be a lot of fun, especially for kids. They might be required to dress in certain costumes or do something particular in the background of a shot. Plus, if your child is interested in acting already, this can be a great way to get in the door.

It’s also a fun learning experience for kids. They get to see how TV shows and movies are really made. It’s something that many people never get to experience, so it gives them valuable insight into the industry. If they don’t enjoy it, you’ve lost nothing but some time. But if they do, it might send them on a great career path!

How to find extra castings

There are several ways you can go about finding extra opportunities in your area.

  • Find a child acting agency: If your child is interested in acting, get them signed up to a reputable children’s talent agency. This will help you get the inside word when extras are required.
  • Search online: There are some productions that don’t use talent agencies, especially for extras. They might put the call out on their website for extra castings, and you can find ones nearby.
  • Social media: If you know of any production companies or art communities in your area, follow them on social media. You’ll quite often see calls for extras on a wide variety of projects.

These are just some of the ways to find extra castings in your area. It can be a great way for kids to get involved and do something different. They might even earn some money at the same time.

Contact Casting Kids for extra castings and more

Casting Kids is a leading children’s acting and modelling agency, representing children from 0-16 years. If your child wants to get into the world of acting or modelling, contact us today to discuss how we can help!

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Acting, Modelling

Are Children’s Agents Necessary to Find Acting or Modelling Work?

Posted on by Casting Kids
children's agents
03
Apr

The entertainment industry can be an intimidating place. Whether your child’s passion lies in acting or modelling, both disciplines require a significant investment of time and fruitful engagement to advance their career. This means finding auditions and getting noticed by the right people. Children’s agents can help.

It is still possible to find acting or modelling work without children’s agents. But you want your child to succeed, right? In that case, always choose a reputable agency. Here’s why:

Access to dedicated representation

When you decide to engage children’s agents you are giving your child the best possible start to their acting or modelling career. There are many complicated aspects to the entertainment business, so having an industry specialist navigate the intricacies and negotiate on your behalf can be extremely beneficial.

Ultimately, children’s agents will advocate for your child and promote their skills to reputable clients and casting directors. You will have access to as much guidance and support as you need. And your child is provided with priceless tips and tricks to help them stand out at auditions. Overall, a reputable talent agency will work hard to help your child succeed in every way possible.

CHildren’s agents provide access to more job opportunities

Open casting calls are great, but they can be few and far between. Therefore, in order to maximise your child’s exposure within the industry, the more auditions your child can access, the greater the chance of being noticed by the right people. And the higher the possibility of securing work. This is where children’s agents play a major role in the trajectory of your child’s career.

Children’s agents provide your child with a distinct advantage over those without professional representation. A reputable talent agency is your direct link to the acting/modelling world. With their industry connections, your child will have access to closed auditions that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Meaning your child will have countless opportunities to showcase their skills to a wide range of key industry players.

Access to key professional contacts

The entertainment industry can be a fickle beast. And like a lot of professions, it can sometimes come down to who you know. Engaging children’s agents to represent your child can have wide-reaching benefits far beyond the availability of auditions.

Reputable talent agencies will have a client list that includes highly respectable, recognisable names within the industry. With such high-profile contacts, your child will have the opportunity to audition for some of the country’s top casting directors. And with the backing and support of an agent, be able to stay ahead of the competition by developing the right skills to impress the right people.

Seeking children’s agents in Melbourne?

Look no further than Casting Kids! When you want your child to have the very best opportunities to find work as an actor or model, you need the very best children’s agents representing your child.

Casting Kids is your go-to talent agency for professional, dedicated service. We are a highly respected children’s agency dedicated to finding the right job for your child. We have a strong focus on diversity and represent children of all abilities from the age of 0 to 16 years. 

So, contact Casting Kids today to find out more about how we can help your child find work in the entertainment industry.

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Acting, Blog

How to Start Child Acting in Melbourne

Posted on by Casting Kids
child acting
04
Mar

Does your child love being in the spotlight? Always eager to perform in front of family and friends? Not every child is interested in, or suitable for acting, but so many children enjoy the art of performing. If yours wants to explore acting as a career, or even just a way to make a little extra money, there are plenty of ways to do it.

Get involved in school drama

The way that many children generate an interest in acting is through school. It might be school plays, drama classes or other opportunities to perform. If your child expresses an interest in acting, this is definitely the first place you should look. Most schools encourage the performing arts and therefore your child should have many chances to see if they enjoy it.

The great thing about this is there’s very little cost. So, if they decide they don’t like performing, you’ve lost nothing but some time.

Acting and dance classes

The next step, if your child does enjoy performing, is to get them enrolled in some more professional classes. Depending on their age, acting and dance classes aren’t necessarily too full-on. But they will learn the basics of performing. They also learn how to follow directions and develop coordination skills. Again, if your child realises they don’t enjoy it, that’s ok. Trying things is exactly how they discover what they’re passionate about.

Find child acting representation

You can try to find auditions advertised online or elsewhere. That’s certainly how some people are discovered. However, getting auditions through a reputable casting agency is a much better way to go. Firstly, you’ll end up working with clients who have been ‘vetted’ by the agency. This means they should provide safe working environments, be reliable with payment and understand how to work with kids.


Secondly, you’ll get more exposure to a range of auditions. Reputable child acting agencies usually have a lot of clients, plenty of work, and more opportunities for your child.

Prepare for auditions

Finally, to get that first acting job, your child will need to do well at auditions. Your casting agency can help with tips, but it’s all about preparation. Check out our article here for some more ideas on audition preparation. Nail those auditions, and there’s no telling how far your child could go. The world of acting is a lot of fun, so if your child loves it, encourage them wherever possible.

Want to start your child acting?

Casting Kids has been representing children from babies through to 16 years old for more than a decade. As a fully inclusive casting agency, we work with children of all abilities. If your child wants to explore the world of acting, we’d love to meet them. We like to meet all of our kids and families so that we can understand your child’s goals and interests. It’s that personal service that sets us apart from the rest.

For the best child acting agency in Melbourne, contact Casting Kids today and find out how we can help.

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Acting, Blog, Modelling

The Best of Kids Talent Agencies in Melbourne

Posted on by Casting Kids
kids talent agencies melbourne
18
Jan

Casting Kids has been helping young people find their feet in the entertainment industry for over 17 years. So, what makes us stand out from the crowd? We’re proud of the reputation we’ve developed over the years. Particularly in the area of inclusivity and diversity. We believe all children should have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their abilities. As one fo the professional kids talent agencies in Melbourne, here’s why we’re your first choice.

One of the kids talent agencies that cares

There’s a lot of competition in the world of modelling and acting, even for children. With that competition comes the myth that it’s a ruthless, cut-throat industry that lacks compassion. We try to change that perception here at Casting Kids. Modelling and acting are professions, so of course, the most talented are the ones who succeed. However, we believe that more children should be given the opportunity to shine.

We also promise honesty in all of our dealings. Over the years, we’ve come to understand what casting directors, particularly our clients, are looking for. So, there will be times when we genuinely think a child may not have the temperament or capability to meet those expectations. If that’s the case, we’ll tell you. WE don’t take registration fees unless we believe we can represent your child well.

A strong client list

One of the important things to consider when choosing a kid’s talent agency is their client list. All kids talent agencies in Melbourne have a list of loyal clients who come to them first when seeking talent for modelling or acting positions. It could be print media, television ads, or even studios looking for on-screen talent.

Here at Casting Kids, we’ve built a strong client list who frequently contact us with opportunities. This means we have a steady stream of auditions available for the kids we represent. While we can’t promise your child will be selected following auditions, we can certainly give them the chance to try.

Honest fee structure

We don’t take a percentage of your child’s earnings when they’re successful. We find that this structure of payment can be detrimental because it encourages agencies to only ever refer the very best children to auditions. Rather, we charge an annual registration fee which includes representation, an online profile, and professional photos to help your child gain opportunities.

With this structure, we’re encouraged to represent all of our kids equally. We understand you wouldn’t want representation if we didn’t give your child a fair chance, so we work diligently to help all of our kids.

Looking for the best of kids talent agencies in Melbourne?

Casting Kids has a great reputation in the industry, so if your child is looking for a start, we’d love to chat. All you need to do is schedule an initial meeting so that we can meet. We’ll talk to you and your child about your goals, and discuss how we can help. Contact us today, and find out why so many parents and kids love working with us!

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Acting

The Dos and Don’ts of Baby Acting Auditions in Melbourne

Posted on by Casting Kids
babies modelling
23
Dec

So your baby is adorable, and you’ve decided to show the world! Rosy cheeks, toothy smiles and adorable giggles are just some of the best parts of baby actors. Brands are constantly on the lookout for the next face of their company. Baby acting auditions in Melbourne can be highly competitive, so it’s important to know how to give your child the best chance.

But how can you control the audition? What’s the best way to prepare? What should you bring? Let’s talk about some of the dos and don’ts of baby acting auditions in Melbourne, and how to have to best experience for you and your child.

Do: Dress your baby like a baby

While it might be tempting to dress your child up in frilly outfits or mature costumes, it’s important to remember the audition’s purpose. Baby acting auditions in Melbourne are for one thing – babies! The casting directors want to see your child looking its age, so dress your baby in simple, neat, age-appropriate clothes. If you’re auditioning for a specific brand, it’s also worth thinking about competitor labels to ensure brand names aren’t distinctly visible.

Don’t: Be late for auditions!

Your child may be the most important part of your world, but casting agents will likely have an entire roster of babies to see during the audition process. If you’re late, you will more than likely you’re your audition, and all the preparation will have been for nothing. When attending your auditions, make sure to arrive early before your slot. Always be fully ready to meet with the directors when your baby’s name is called.

 

Do: Come prepared with a photo and measurements

When you arrive at the auditions, the agents will likely take a digital photo of your child to show what they look like at the casting. However, you should also bring a current photo of your baby from home, along with recent measurements – babies change very fast, so make sure that everything is up to date!

 

Don’t: Distract your child

Babies might be cute, but they are also fascinated by everyone and everything around them. To give your child the greatest chance of success, try to minimise distractions during the audition process. Have the least attached parent attend the audition, and check beforehand to see if your baby is transfixed by anything bright or noisy that may interrupt or affect the casting.

 

Do: Learn from your mistakes!

From showing up late to forgetting favourite toys, every parent makes mistakes when it comes to their baby’s acting audition. While you can’t take them back, it’s important to make a note of what did and didn’t work. Then you can ensure that you don’t repeat the same errors next time.  

Find baby acting auditions in Melbourne

Whether it’s your child’s first audition, or they’re a seasoned professional, there are always tips and tricks for making every audition run smoother. If you follow these tips, you’re sure to have a stress-free, more enjoyable casting experience for everyone involved. At Casting Kids, we know how to get the best out of your baby. We create a fun, inclusive environment for child actors and parents alike. Contact us today to find out more about our representation services, or just to learn more about tips and tricks for your baby’s audition!

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