Hi Bonnie,
I have four children who all have done jobs here in Hollywood. I think you may have even seen two of my children on auditions. Do you ever evaluate children? We go to lots of classes, get callbacks and — on occasion — book. Everyone tells me they have what it takes but they don’t seem to do as well as they could or should. My one daughter got feedback that said, “It didn’t seem like she wanted to be there.” She is quiet but does want to act and I am wondering if she comes off bad as opposed to quiet and hardworking.
So, after the ramble, I have read your posts — here and on the PARF board — for many years now and respect your honesty and dedication to your work. Would you ever “audition” a child to give a parent honest feedback? I feel like if a parent could get that we would know how to progress with our children who want to act.
Thank you for your time,
India Radding
Hi India,
Well, I like to say, “your callback is your feedback.” So, you know when there are callbacks and bookings that things are going well. That’s easy, of course.
It’s best, though, to get feedback from reputable coaches. To get the kids in great classes with serious instructors who have a no-BS approach to breaking down what’s working and what isn’t working. Many coaches also offer classes that include an “industry night” where agents and managers and casting directors come and watch the actors, so there can be an opportunity to see if there’s a freeze-up that happens when the kids are in front of folks other than their coach.
But it’s tough to ask a casting director to hold an audition for the sake of “giving feedback.” Our job is to cast projects, so it’s not like we have time to hold auditions that “don’t count,” just to help an actor who should be paying to get that help from a coach. That said, there are some wonderful casting directors who are also coaches, and that might be the way for you to go. That way, you’ll be getting the coaching plus the POV from a casting director, which is what you’re seeking, I think.
I know it’s tough when you want it so badly for your kids but they are getting feedback like, “didn’t want to be there.” I see kids like that from time to time and I know their parents’ hearts are breaking, because the parents either want it so badly for the kids or don’t want to give up just because it’s getting hard and/or the kids are getting bored after all they’ve put into it by then. But it happens! Kids get tired of doing something they previously said they wouldn’t ever want to stop doing. Happens with dance classes, sports, scouts, you name it! And if that’s what is happening, it’s a parent’s job (however heartbreaking) to listen and say, “Okay. If we’re done with this, we’re done. No going back.” And then if the kid says, “Yeah, I’m done.” That’s got to be it. No more auditions. No more agents. No more unions. Nada. (Of course, there are always school plays and summer acting camps and things that “non-actor kids” do too. But you have to draw the line, if you’re hearing, “I’m done,” from the kiddo.)
Not saying with certainty that’s the stage at which you find yourself today, but often when these are the questions that come up, and the feedback is, “she didn’t want to be there,” that’s what’s actually going on. And hey, here’s some good news for your little one: you can always survive a child-actor-hood and come back to it as an adult, when you’re ready, on your own terms.
Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!
Originally published by Actors Access at http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/001064.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.