- As Featured on:
The world of Child Acting and Auditioning
Child Acting can be an exciting and rewarding experience for both the child and their family.
What is Baby Acting and Modelling
Baby acting and modelling refers to the use of babies in the entertainment
and fashion industries.
Baby acting involves performing in television, film, theatre, and other media, while baby modelling involves posing for photographs and commercials.
Baby models and actors can range in age from newborn right up to about 2 years of age. Once they can walk, they are usually considered toddlers but may still be referred to as babies by some agencies and clients.
Baby acting and modelling can be a fun and exciting way for babies and infants to earn money and gain experience in the entertainment and fashion industries. Although, as you can imagine, they won’t know a whole lot about the experience themselves as they’re simply too young!
As we noted earlier, baby acting and modelling can also be demanding and challenging, and requires careful preparation and planning by parents. It’s important for parents to carefully consider their baby’s interests and abilities, and to work with reputable agencies and professionals to ensure that their child is both happy and successful.
Why Parents might consider Modelling and Acting for their Baby
Parents may be interested in pursuing acting and modelling careers for their baby for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, some may believe that their baby has a unique or striking appearance that could make them stand out in the acting or modelling industry. They may see potential in their child to become a successful child actor or model, and want to nurture and develop that talent from an early age. Admittedly, spotting this potential in a baby is nearly impossible so it usually boils down to parents thinking their baby has that something special about them — the cuteness factor!
Secondly, parents may see acting and modelling as a way to provide financial stability and opportunities for their baby’s future. There’s no doubt that the entertainment industry can be lucrative, and parents may want to take advantage of this to build a little nest egg for their baby.
But as mentioned by our managing director Adam, baby acting and modelling is not a get rich quick career. So while it’s absolutely normal to want to make as much cash for your baby as possible, your baby won’t suddenly become financially secure thanks to a few jobs.
The Challenges of baby acting and Modelling
Like all careers, baby acting and modelling comes with its own set of challenges. For example, the entertainment industry can be highly competitive and unpredictable, and there is no guarantee that a baby will be successful or book work on a regular basis. Additionally, being in the spotlight from an early age can be challenging and all that attention can be super tiring for a baby.
The other main challenge relates to travel and tiredness in general. Parents will need to bring their baby to auditions and then assignments if they book work. They’ll need to hang around for hours at a time waiting and sometimes their baby may not even get to work on camera. This is because there is often a back-up or stand-in baby on set and if your child is grumpy or asleep, the stand-in baby will take their place. You’ll still get paid but it can be a bit tough to take when your baby goes through all that trouble and then can’t manage the shoot!
To be honest, the biggest challenges are actually faced by parents as babies themselves are never expected to work any more than is absolutely necessary. It’s mums and dads driving here and there and carting stuff in and out of studios that really drains the energy!
What to Consider before Pursuing a Career in Baby Acting and Modelling
There are a few things that you need to take into consideration before making the decision to join the entertainment business.
- The potential risks and challenges of the industry, including the level of competition and the unpredictable nature of the work.
- The financial costs and earning potential of the industry. This includes the fees and expenses associated with agents, classes, and other professional services, versus the potential income from acting and modelling jobs.
- The time and effort required to support a baby’s career, including attending auditions and meetings, managing schedules and contracts, and potentially travelling for work.
- The support and guidance available for parents such as resources and services to help manage and navigate the industry. This is usually provided by your agency so it’s incredibly important that you choose the right one — more on that later.
Just remember that we’re not trying to scare you here, we’re simply making sure that you’re taking
everything into consideration
Check out the local theatre groups
Independent theatre productions are always looking for actors, and again this could be a wonderful opportunity for a young teen actor to get their feet wet in the industry. Spending time with theatre producers and directors could open up other opportunities and who knows, someone important could be sitting in the audience watching you.
Stage work is also great to have on your acting resume as live acting is quite tough. Casting directors know this and the fact that you have experience working in front of a live audience may just encourage them to take a chance and call you or your child in for an audition.
Preparing for Baby Acting and Modelling
So if you’re still interested in baby acting and modelling, here’s how you get started.
- Research the industry and give yourself an understanding of the requirements and expectations for baby actors and models. This includes the types of roles and projects available, the level of competition, and the likelihood of ongoing work.
- Develop a portfolio of your baby’s photos and videos to showcase their unique appearance and that cuteness factor. This can include professional headshots, candid shots, and clips of your baby performing or engaging in activities that may be relevant. Crawling, sitting, playing with toys etc.
- Connect with agents and casting directors who specialise in representing and working with baby actors and models.
- Consider learning a little more about the industry by joining a class or a workshop. Obviously, your baby won’t be doing any of the learning, but you knowing how to handle the industry will be just as helpful as your baby being able to smile for the camera.
- Create a schedule and plan to manage the demands of the industry, including auditions, casting calls, rehearsals, and filming or photoshoots. This can help you ensure that your child’s career doesn’t interfere with their education or personal development.
Building a portfolio and Resume for your Baby
To build a portfolio and resume for a baby, parents need to do a few things.
- Gather photos and videos of the child that showcase their unique appearance and personality. This can include professional headshots, candid shots, and clips as mentioned earlier. Ideally, the majority of these shots will have been taken by a professional photographer as that is what casting directors will expect to see.
- Choose a selection of the best photos and videos to include in the portfolio, and organise them in a clear and logical manner.
- Use a professional-looking template or layout to create the portfolio, and include clear captions or labels to display any relevant information.
- Share the portfolio with agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals to help gain exposure and opportunities in the acting and modelling industry
- You should also include a brief resume that lists your baby’s name, age, and any other relevant information such as skills (walking, sitting, etc.)
- Update your baby’s portfolio and resume regularly to reflect their most recent work and experience, and make sure to include any new photos or videos as they become available
Now if that sounds like a lot of hard work, then you’re in luck because if you sign with the right agency, they will help you sort out your baby’s portfolio and may even have an in-house photographer that can help with those professional shots.
Reputable Agency Finding a to Represent Your Baby
Believe it or not, there are some agencies out there that are not interested in helping your baby secure work. They are more interested in collecting membership fees and so will do very little to promote your baby. Signing with an agency like this can do real harm to your baby’s career in the business so it’s hugely important that you find a reputable agency to represent you and your child
Here are a few ways that you can do just that.
Research
Research and compare different agencies that specialise in representing baby actors and models. Look for agencies with a proven track record of success and experience working with children in the entertainment industry.
Read reviews and testimonials from clients and industry professionals to get a sense of the agency’s reputation and quality of service.
Talk
Contact the agency to discuss your hopes for your baby’s career and ask about their services and support, fees and pricing, and any other relevant information.
Ask for testimonials from the agency’s clients – these should be available on the agency’s website.
Meet with an agent and see how you feel about the way they do business. Your gut feeling is usually right when it comes to matters concerning your baby so don’t ignore it.
Auditioning for Baby Acting and Modelling
While it sounds silly, babies do actually need to audition for acting roles in particular. This is so the casting director can see what your baby looks like in person and see if they are okay with being the centre of attention.
Auditions and casting calls may be posted online or in parent forums, but for the most part, you’ll only find these opportunities through an agency. This is because casting directors often prefer to work through agencies as it’s an easier process for them.
When attending an audition, you may need to spend a little time waiting for your turn. When it’s your turn to audition, introduce your baby and provide any necessary information, such as name and age, and any relevant experience or skills.
Follow the instructions of the casting director or other staff, and have your baby perform or engage in activities as instructed. For babies this may be simply sitting or allowing another adult to hold them.
Thank the casting director or staff for the opportunity to audition, and you’re all set. Your agency will be in touch as soon as they hear anything from the casting director or client.
Just remember that not getting the part is no reflection on how cute your baby is. The casting director may have some very specific requirements or they may feel that your baby isn’t quite ready for the actions they have in mind for the assignment or shoot.
Whatever the outcome, simply booking an audition is a great result. Attend enough of them and your baby’s time to shine will come.
Tips for Acing the Audition with a Casting Director
Here are a few things that you can bear in mind for your time in an audition.
- Be respectful and polite:
Treat the casting director with respect and professionalism, and avoid rude or aggressive behaviour to anyone at the audition. - Be prepared and organised: Come to the audition well-prepared, with your baby’s portfolio (if you have a hard copy) and resume, and any other necessary materials or documents.
- Be attentive and responsive: Pay attention to the instructions and requirements of the casting director, and help your baby follow them as closely as possible.
- Be supportive and encouraging:
Provide support and encouragement to your baby during the audition, but avoid being overbearing or intrusive. If you’re asked to take a step back and let an actor hold your baby, you’ll need to do so as this is what will happen on set. - Be patient and flexible:
Be prepared to wait and be flexible during the audition process, and understand that the casting director may have specific requirements or expectations. - Be appreciative:
Thank the casting director for the opportunity to audition.
Building a Successful Career in Baby Acting and modelling
Success doesn’t come overnight nor does it come easy! With this in mind, here’s some of our tips and advice for getting off to a flying start.
Tips for staying organised and managing your child’s schedule
Create a calendar that has everything and we mean EVERYTHING on it that is related to your baby. This includes doctor’s appointments, any classes they have, playgroups etc. You’ll want to be able to tell your agency if you’re available as soon as possible and make sure that you don’t overload your baby with too many things on their schedule.
Talk to your agents about when you are available and when you are unavailable. And this isn’t just for regular days. You’ll also need to inform the agency if you take any holidays or if your baby is sick and expected to be unavailable for any more than a day or two. The agency doesn’t want to put your baby forward for a role and then find that you’re out of town for the audition.
Be flexible in your schedule if at all possible. Sometimes jobs will come along that need a baby the next day or even that same day. If you can be flexible and you think your baby can handle it, this could help you land a few more opportunities.
How to Network and Build Relationships in the Industry
Networking in the entertainment industry is everything. Of course, knowing people won’t land your baby any jobs, but it just might give you an unexpected opportunity or two. It’s also great when people know you because you may be at the front of their mind when opportunities arise.
Join online groups and forums, such as Facebook groups or other social media groups that focus on baby acting and modelling. These can be a great way to connect with other parents, industry professionals, and potential clients.
Attend industry events, such as conferences, workshops, or networking events, to meet and connect with professionals in the industry. These can give you a chance to learn about the latest trends and opportunities, and to build valuable connections and relationships. For the most part, we recommend this only for parents who want their children to have a longer career in the industry.
Be professional and respectful with every person that you meet. You never know who you are talking to and rudeness is remembered just as much as politeness!
Developing your Baby’s Skills and Experience
Yes, we are genuinely telling you to develop your baby’s acting and modelling skills, crazy right? Well, not really. You see, those skills aren’t quite as complicated as you might think. What we’re talking about here is your baby’s ability to look at the camera, to smile, to laugh, or to engage with you. All of these things are skills that can have a hugely positive impact on your baby’s chances of booking work and career success.
So yeah, kinda important!
There are some games that parents can play with their baby to help them learn and develop those skills. Remember, these games are age appropriate, so don’t worry if your baby can’t manage them just yet.
Copycat game
Parents can show a baby some facial expressions and see if they can get them to copy them. This is amazingly useful in modelling assignments when you want a baby to smile.
Singing and dancing game
Parents can sing and dance with the baby, and encourage the baby to join in and move to the music. This can help the baby learn to move and groove, which can be useful for acting or for candid modelling shots.
Memory game
Parents can play memory games with the baby, such as hiding objects and asking the baby to find them, or playing with flashcards with pictures and words. This can help the baby develop their memory and concentration, which can be useful for modelling in photoshoots or other productions.
Like we said, don’t be too worried if your baby can’t handle these just yet. These games are supposed to be fun and you’ll find that pretty soon, your baby will pick up on your cues.
The importance of Patience
While professionalism, politeness, and a willingness to help your baby are all important in the baby acting and modelling industries, it’s patience that is perhaps the most vital.
Why? Because very few babies will book work immediately. In fact, it may be a few months before you even get your first audition. This is perfectly normal as the industry can be super busy one moment and then super quiet the next. There are also the specific requirements of a casting director to take into account. A role may call for a baby with dark hair or one who can crawl quickly and if that’s not your baby, then of course you won’t be considered.
Just remember that this is the case with every single baby out there in the industry. They all need to wait for their time to shine, but be patient, because it will come.
Hopefully the information in this guide has given you a much better understanding of how the baby acting and modelling industries work while also giving you an idea of how to get started.
If you find yourself in need of any further help or you would like to apply to join the Bubblegum Casting family, please feel free to get in touch with us today.
Bonus Material
A few bits and pieces to help your child get started on the road to success!
The importance of Patience
- Name
- Age
- Gender
- Height
- Weight
- Measurements (e.g., bust, waist, hips)
- Shoe size
- Hair colour
- Eye colour
- Skin tone
- Ethnicity
- Availability
- Contact information
- Location
- Portfolio/photographs
- Resume/experience
- Special skills/talents
- References/recommendations
- Representation (if applicable)
- Social media handles (if applicable)
- Any additional relevant information
(e.g., languages spoken, hobbies, etc.)
Example bio for casting networks for a child:
Hi, my name is (Name), and I am (Age) months/years old. I am an aspiring baby model who loves to smile and laugh.
I’m a happy little baby that enjoys playing and it’s quite easy to hold my attention. My parents love to play with me and take lots of photos and I’ve been told I look great on camera!
I can sit on my own, hold my toys, and I love to crawl too.
I am currently represented by (Agency), and I am available for work in (Location). Thank you for considering me for your project. I look forward to the possibility of working with you!
Checklist of Things to Bring to a casting or Photoshoot for a child
- Clothing : Choose clothes that fit well and that complement your child’s colouring and body type. Best to wear plain, unbranded clothes in solid colours. It’s a good idea to bring an extra outfit just in case it’s needed
- Accessories : You should only bring accessories that are suitable for the casting or that you have been specifically asked to bring. Avoid over-accessorising, keep it simple.
- Shoes : Choose shoes that are comfortable and that fit well, and avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose. Closed toe shoes are expected and they must be clean and in good condition. There’s no need to bring extra pairs unless you have been asked to do so.
- Undergarments : Bring appropriate undergarments that fit well and that won’t show through clothing. Choose neutral colours that won’t clash with your child’s outfits, and avoid undergarments with logos or visible branding.
- Hair products : Avoid using too much product and only choose products that are appropriate for your child’s hair type and style. If it is a paid job, there is no need to worry about hair as the hair and makeup department will take care of that.
- Makeup : If your child is wearing makeup, only bring ageappropriate makeup products that can enhance their natural beauty. Choose neutral colours that complement your child’s skin tone and colouring, and avoid using too much makeup.
- Snacks and water : Bring healthy snacks and water to keep your child energised and hydrated during the shoot. Choose snacks that are easy to eat and that won’t make a mess, and avoid sugary or processed foods
- Toys and books : Bring toys and books that can help keep your child entertained and engaged during breaks and downtime. Choose items that are age-appropriate and that are quiet and won’t disturb others when your child is waiting.
- Personal items : Bring personal items that can help your child feel comfortable and at ease during the shoot. This could be a favourite stuffed animal or blanket. Avoid bringing items that are too noisy or distracting, and choose items that can provide comfort and support.
Terms and Phrases Used in the Modelling Industry
Model : A model is a person who is hired to display and promote products, such as clothing, accessories, and beauty products. Models can work in a variety of settings, including photoshoots, fashion shows, and advertisements.
Portfolio : A portfolio is a collection of photos and other materials that showcase a model’s skills and abilities. Portfolios can include professional photos, headshots, and other images that demonstrate a model’s range and versatility.
Casting call : A casting call is an event or audition where models are invited to present themselves to potential clients and agents. Casting calls can be open or closed and can involve interviews, auditions, or other types of evaluations.
Runway : The runway is the raised platform or catwalk where models showcase clothing and accessories during fashion shows. Models walk down the runway to present the latest collections and styles to audiences and buyers.
Lookbook : A lookbook is a collection of photos and images that showcase a designer’s latest collection. Lookbooks can be used for marketing, advertising, and editorial purposes and can provide inspiration and ideas for potential buyers and clients.
Print : Print modelling is a type of modelling that involves appearing in printed materials, such as magazines, newspapers, and catalogues. Print models can be featured in editorial content, advertisements, or product listings.
Commercial : Commercial modelling is a type of modelling that involves appearing in commercials that run online or on TV.
Agency : An agency is a company that represents models and arranges their bookings and contracts. Agencies provide support and guidance to help models succeed in the industry.
Booking : A booking is a job or gig that a model is hired to perform. Bookings can include photoshoots, fashion shows, commercials, and other types of modelling work.
Casting : A casting is a process in which models are selected for specific jobs or projects. Castings can involve auditions, interviews, or portfolio review and can be organised by agencies, clients, or casting directors.
Headshot : A headshot is a photo of a model’s face, used to showcase their facial features and expressions. Headshots are typically taken by a professional photographer and are used in portfolios, resumes, and online profiles.
Comp card : A comp card is a card that combines a model’s headshot, full-body shot, and basic information, used to promote their availability and skills. Comp cards are typically used by agencies to showcase their models to potential clients.
Callback : A callback is a request for a model to attend a second audition or interview, typically to narrow down the pool of candidates for a specific job or project. Callbacks are an indication that a model is a strong contender for the job and can be a sign of success in the industry.
Digitals : Digitals are digital photos that are used for online portfolios and profiles, such as on social media.
WANT TO BE A CHILD
ACTOR OR MODEL?
At Bubblegum, we represent some of Australia’s brightest young stars, but even so, we’re always on the lookout for fresh new faces and talent.
If your child is aged anywhere from 3 months to 18 years of age, and you think they might have what it takes to shine in front of a camera or on stage, then we want to hear from you.
We’ll set up a quick informal chat where we’ll get a feel for your child’s suitability for working in the industry.
The lucky kids that make it onto our books benefit from in-house workshops and coaching sessions to help them brush up on their skills. They’ll also get great advice and tips from the Bubblegum team, some of whom have worked as child models and actors themselves! We’ll even arrange a portfolio shoot with our in-house photographer.
We want all the kids on our books to have their chance to shine and if that means working twice as hard to make it happen, then that’s what we’ll do!
