For kids, it’s really all about personality for me. It depends on their age, but I find clips where kids are just introducing themselves and telling a story helpful. I’d prefer an intro clip over a school play clip any day.
Monologues that show their personality or acting ability are OK, but I usually find most kids (without coaching) tend to overact, and then it does them no good.
I try to have copy for the project for any kids’ self-tapes—I feel that’s always best. Look at the project you are submitting for and see if you can self-tape something that might be appropriate. The natural charm of the child is what I always look for.
Collecting clips can be hard and does take some legwork. Best case, you can find them online or on TV and download or record them. Be sure to search YouTube or ispot.tv, as well. You can ask for them, but please don’t hound us or our client (a lot of folks do). We will ask the client to get you a clip, and if the client sends it over to us, we will certainly try to get it to you.
*This question was originally asked and answered on the Backstage Community Forums.
Melanie graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in acting. She then started her own production company producing feature films, documentaries, and commercials in New York. In Los Angeles, she worked in business affairs at the talent agency Writers & Artists and then went on to work at The Firm, a celebrity management company. She is now head of casting at Mike Lemon Casting, where has she cast nearly a thousand films, television shows, and commercials, many receiving related awards.
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The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
