If a casting director wanted to audition your child, would you agree?

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   LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

   My son, who is 5, came home from school with a letter from a casting director, asking that he audition for a part in a film. It's a proper agency, the school knows the woman well, and it's a sequel to a film that did fairly well at the Box Office.
   
   We aren't sure. Would you agree?

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Sure, why not?  Just make sure you get a lawyer.   Awesome, if you let him do it, good luck!

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      raising6kidsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I think it would be a great experience could be fun. Something for him to look back on as an adult. If you aren't comfortable with this first experience you don't have to try it again if the offer comes up.

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   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   Under the conditions you described, in a heartbeat.  How are you LG?  Haven't seen you in awhile.

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   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   Opportunity doesn't always knock twice, you know?  With you being an attorney, you'll know what to watch for, or certainly have contacts who can assist you to make sure things are done properly.

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   LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

   Very well, thanks.
   
   I think we've got two concerns - firstly, if he'd find the audition process stressful in itself.
   
   Secondly, if he did get the part, whether it would be good for him, being in a film.
   
   The original film (this is the second in a series) was rated 12, so he wouldn't actually be able to see it for years!

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You are his mom.  Take him and see how he handles it.  If you feel it wont be good then go no further but if he enjoys it, then you never know. 
      
      What movie is it btw?

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         LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Clash of the Titans, part two.

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            sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            OH Snap!  Would he be trying out for Perseus as a baby or is there an added twist, like Zeus' forget child nemesis.

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               LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Snap? I've lost you.
               
               It's for son-of-Persues, I think. Can't quite remember, though!

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                  sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Silly American expression like "shut up!" or "really!" or "holy moly".

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                     LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Sorry, we use "snap" here, meaning "identical!" like the card game, snap.
                     
                     So I might say, "snap! I have purple hair, too"

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                        sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Never heard it like that or the game but good to know.

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                           LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           It's a game for small children:
                           
                           http://boardgames.about.com/od/cardgames/a/snap.htm

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   know oneposted 14 years ago

   If it were my child, never in a million years! It would meet none of our needs and perhaps create problems we never wanted. But for others who are inclined to this process and lifestyle there would be no hesitation. Only you know your situation the best. Examine your motivations and desires... see if its a good fit. You'll have your answer.

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   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   If I were sure how it would all "work", and that I could know what was going on (and that kind of thing)(and if he seemed like he'd enjoy doing it), sure.  A lot of little kids enjoy new experiences and getting the chance to do something different.  My "thing" would be, though, that I'd want it good and clear that the minute something I didn't like (and wasn't told about ahead of time) cropped up, I'd want the option to get him out without its being a big, legal, deal.  Some kids thrive on getting to do something different.  Others aren't big fans of it.
   
   I, personally, wouldn't want "show-biz" to be more than a one-time thing for my child at that age, though.  I think I'd want him to know it's a one-time thing, and that would be it (at least until he grew up).
   
   If you can tell him ahead of time that if he doesn't like the audition process he can forget it, I'd think you could let him be your guide on that concern.  Some little kids wouldn't think anything of that kind of thing.  Others would hate it.

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      LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know if he'd like it or not, as he's never done anything similar. He's quite sociable, though, not shy.
      
      The idea of a show-biz brat terrifies both of us!

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         Lisa HWposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I'm not comparing this stuff to a movie, by any means; but my kids (one more than the other two) really enjoyed being in all kinds of activities when they were little - dance stuff, ice shows, music stuff, etc.  They just loved it, but if either of them had wanted to quit I would have just gone with that too.  There were people who wondered if I was "pushing" them into this stuff, but they were just kids who liked doing new things.  They were actually fairly shy.  In fact, I'm convinced that putting my daughter in dancing school at three helped her overcome a shyness I never did.  My niece's kids are the same.  They just love being in stuff and doing things they see as "fun".   My very shy son actually enjoyed being in a ice show at the end of the ice-skating program he and his sister were in when they were little.
         
         Without ever having a child involved in a movie, I may just be too ignorant about it to have a valid guess about it; but I'd think that somewhere between getting the "invitation" and  looking a little more into what's involved;  at some point farther down the line, what you want to do may become more apparent to you.

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            LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That sounds very wise. I certainly don't intend to force my son to do anything, nor push him into it. In this case, the casting director came to us, rather than us looking for it.

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               Lisa HWposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I think, maybe, anything we're approached about (rather than our initiating it) is always a little more likely to make us feel particularly cautious.  Either way, congratulations to your little guy for being invited to be considered.   

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   Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

   I wrote a hub about my brief show business career-- I think I was 4 or 5. We lived near Hollywood-- at some point Mom asked if I still wanted to take singing lessons, and I didn't really care one way or another. I think she made the right decision for me. Child stars rarely turn out "normal"-- Shirley Temple may have been an exception.

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      Lisa HWposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Rochelle, I couldn't resist the urge to read your Hub.  What an absolute cutie you were!  (You ought to write more Hubs that would let you find excuses to use those pictures in more places.     ).   The one thing you mentioned in your Hub that made me remember what some child actors have said was the thing about someone telling you about kittens in order to get you to make a sad face.   I've heard other people say they were told things like that their dog died in order to make them cry for a movie.  I'd have to know that kind of thing wasn't going to be going on if it were my child.
      
      (You would have made a great "next Shirley Temple", though.  Again, what a cutie were you.     )

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   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   I think it's a grand opportunity worth looking into.  You can deal with any issues that arise as and when they do.  Congrats!

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   SmartAndFunposted 14 years ago

   It is possible that he could take on this one role and then be done with "Show Business," and not end up a tragic child star statistic. But first find out exactly what the role requires of him. It could be that it is a minor part and they will only film him picking daisies in a sunny meadow. Or, since it is Clash of the Titans, it could be that he is in a role where he does violent or scary things, or has violent/scary things done to him. If so, could he handle it at age 5? My child was asked to audition for the role of a child who smoked and whose mother was raped. I declined. Find out what the role requires. It could be fun and rewarding if it is the right part.

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      LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Blimey, I'd decline that one, too!

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         SmartAndFunposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         For sure! Makes me wonder what ppor kid ended up with it! I think you and your son have a neat opportunity worth looking into.

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    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    I think even with the audition, you may get a good enough feel for it to know if you want to proceed. It could be a great opportunity if nothing more than for the experience!
    
    Life comes knocking, you never know. If it were my child, with the circumstances you have given, I would at least let him audition and see what happens.

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    NewYorkerposted 14 years ago

    I don't have a kid, but I guess I'd agree. I mean, why not? Could be fun for the kid. Just make sure you stay on top of things, so he won't end up like Justin Bieber.

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    Lifeallstar1posted 14 years ago

    When I was around 4ish I was asked to audition for these educational video's. My mother wasn't sure but thought she would just bring me to the casting call and see how it went. She figured I might not even feel like speaking in front of anyone or they might not even choose me then it wouldn't even be an issue. I auditioned with many other kids and I was chosen. It was not like a motion picture by all means but she still worried. I was only to have two lines so she felt it would be okay, then they ended up giving me many many more lines and added more scenes and put me in many video's in the series they were doing. I did the video's and they asked for me to do more but my mother declined because the entire time she felt like she didn't know if it was the right thing to do since I was too young to really voice my opinion if I really wanted to be doing it. I didn't have an issue with it and had fun doing it but as a mother she felt if I were older then she would feel better knowing I really wanted to do it. I have to say that I did enjot it and it was a good learning experience. The kid that played my brother went on to make motion pictures but I never continued and I'm fine with that since I do understand where my mother was coming from. It's an unsettling feeling not knowing if you're doing the right thing when it's not like I voiced I wanted to get into that type of thing. We were asked to please have me audition and that's the only reason we did it. I think you should have him audition and see how it goes. He'll let you know by his actions if he wants to or not. My mother just felt since I couldn't really say if I wanted to do it or not that it was not a good idea. I feel that I would have complained if I was truly unhappy. I would let your child do it and you can always see after if he really wants to do it again or if he doesn't. I'm not bothered by the fact she stopped it after that because I still have that nice memory and the tapes/dvd's that I was in. In your case it will be a major movie. I think he'll have a good experience and he'll let you know if he doesn't want to once he tries it. Good luck and congrats!

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       LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

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    nobodyimportantposted 14 years ago

    the question really is:  Is your child willing to do it? do not force it onto him/her just to satisfy your needs.
    
    bless you

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    JASON NICHOLSposted 14 years ago

    Yes of course! My son will get to show his talent and discover it if he has one which can be useful in this feild!

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    LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

    We thought about it, and decided to take him to the casting and see what's what. He's unlikely to get it anyway, and he finds the idea fun.

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       travelespressoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Good for you.  Then, if he's offered the part you can make a more informed decision.  Good luck!

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    LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

    We went, and Isaac really enjoyed it. The casting director was really nice, and he was fascinated by the camera.
    
    I think it's very unlikely indeed he'll be offered the part - he's 5, all the other boys were aged between 7 and 10, and therefore a lot more mature and able than he was. But it was a positive experience in itself.

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       KCC Big Countryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'm so glad you went and it was a great experience for you both!  As you said, they may not pick him for this role, but his younger innocence could be what they're after. You never know.  Even if he doesn't get this, they may keep him in mind for something else even better.  I'm really happy for you.

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    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    That is a great experience for him. Glad you made it fun for him.
    
    Glad to see you back on the forums

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       LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks!

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    gqgirlposted 14 years ago

    I would say def yes. But make sure you do your research on the company and the people that are going to be around him. Esp the casting director. Doesn't matter that the school knows her or the company. Make sure to do your homework. Hire a lawyer and if it all checks out then let him have fun!

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       LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       We went today - the casting director was a she, and I was with Isaac all the time, so there was no dodginess.

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    2uesdayposted 14 years ago

    I would want to check that I would be allowed to stay for the audition and if he gets the part when he works. I would probably ask to see his part of the script for the scenes he would be in, too. If they said no I would be tempted to wonder why not.

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       LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I did see the script (they sent a copy with the original letter) and I stayed for the audition, too.

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    LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

    the casting director was in touch on Friday, saying that they were still considering a few boys, and had ruled out the rest. Isaac's one of the few. I still think it's very unlikely, he's just too young. But I'm proud of him, anyway!

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       travelespressoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       How cool!  Thanks for the update.

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    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    how exciting! I would be proud also if I were you. you never know..

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    Rafiniposted 14 years ago

    First off, I want to say I agree with what everyone says about being careful and making sure the company/casting director are legit.  After that I'd say -
    
    If my child wanted to, sure why not?  It doesn't hurt to try something new, and if he didn't like it - never again.
    
    (I realize I'm a bit late - but it's exciting!  Good luck!)

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    jenniferainposted 14 years ago

    I agree that it would be okay to let them try it, but definitely don't force them to do anything they don't want to. It's just cruel.

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