Your Young Actor

Should You Take Music or Dance Lessons If You Want to Become a Child Actor?

Debbie Sikkema — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:01:51 +0000

If you have a child who wants to become a child actor, chances are that the child is also interested in music and perhaps dance. It is common for child actors to be gifted in the arts, so many children who become child actors also sing, dance, and play instruments. I know in my daughter’s [...]

How Do You Transfer a Coogan Account from One Financial Institution to Another?

Debbie Sikkema — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:34:36 +0000

It is important that the money in your child’s Coogan account earn at the best possible rate. It is also important that banks not deduct fees from your child’s Coogan account. If your child’s account is not growing, then it is time to transfer that account to another financial institution. Fees Can Deplete Your Child’s Coogan [...]

What is an Open Call When Referring to Auditions (Showbiz Term of the Day)?

Debbie Sikkema — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:31:34 +0000

When we talk about acting and modeling auditions, it is important to know what it means if the audition is an Open Call. Today’s Showbiz Term of the Day is “Open Call.” My daughter went to Open Calls a couple of times for shows such as America’s Most Talented Kid before we moved to LA. [...]

If Your Child Auditions for Professional Acting Jobs, Should You Participate in Community Theatre?

Debbie Sikkema — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:29:53 +0000

If your child auditions for professional acting jobs, being involved in community theatre can sometimes result in unexpected dilemmas. Certainly, your child is auditioning hoping to get acting jobs. But you never know when a booking will occur. You don’t want your child to just sit around doing nothing while waiting to hear that an [...]

What Is Improv? (Showbiz Term of the Day)

Debbie Sikkema — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:37:39 +0000

Today’s showbiz term of the day is “improv.” If you type the word “improv” into just about any editor where spelling is checked, the word will be flagged as being spelled incorrectly. But in the world of acting, the word “improv” is a term that is used regularly. It is one of many showbiz terms [...]

Does Your Child Need an Entertainment Work Permit in States Other Than California?

Debbie Sikkema — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:38:56 +0000

Previously, I’ve discussed entertainment work permits for children working in the state of California. But there are many of you in states other than California who are wondering if you need an entertainment work permit for your child. If you are looking for employment within the state of California, refer to my posts concerning entertainment [...]

When Should You Join Screen Actors Guild When You Are an Actor?

Debbie Sikkema — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:34:18 +0000

So many actors and parents of child actors seem to be concerned about not being in Screen Actors Guild (SAG) (See “What is SAG?” and “What Does SAG Stand for?” for more about what SAG is). They wonder exactly how to join SAG and whether they will be seen for SAG projects if they are [...]

What Is a Callback After an Acting Audition? (Showbiz Term of the Day)

Debbie Sikkema — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:37:58 +0000

There is a chance that your child will get “a callback” after an acting audition if that acting audition goes well and your child is right for the part. When your child gets a callback for an acting audition for the very first time, you may not know exactly what that means. My daughter got [...]

What Is a Go-See? (Showbiz Term of the Day)

Debbie Sikkema — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:52:08 +0000

If you are starting a career in showbiz that includes modeling, you have certainly heard, or will very soon hear, the term “Go-See.” Today’s Showbiz Term of the Day is “Go-See.” My daughter was almost 6 when she had her first “go-see” for Pottery Barn. She did not even have a comp card or headshot [...]

What Skills Are Helpful When You Become a Child Actor?

Debbie Sikkema — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:42:33 +0000

When you become a child actor, it is important to work on your acting skills. Being a good actor is certainly important when you pursue an acting career. But when you become a child actor, it is also a good idea to work on other skills. Learning to do a variety of things helps you [...]