Uproars Entertainment

How do I get my 14 year old son started in the entertainment business?

I am considering putting my son in the entertainment business as an actor/model and I don't know anything about it. Can someone who knows or has a child in the business please tell me where I can start?

Public Comments

1. Call Britney's mom and get some advice
2. I'm an independent film director, so I'll share some of my knowledge. (I know nothing about modeling, so you're on your own there, but I'm sure there are just as many scam artists involved in that, so probably all this applies there too). Get him into acting lessons, drama classes & plays in school first. He should do that, to prove to you and himself, that he's really serious, before you start spending a load of cash on what may be a fantasy. And whatever you do, avoid these scam places like John Robert Powers, who pretend they're going to get your kid all this work and fame, but just line you up for thousands of dollars in photos & worthless classes. And you need to read up on it yourself, and by that, I mean reading a ton of books on acting, the business, etc. Look up the Samuel French bookstore in L.A., and start ordering books from them. They have everything from plays, acting books, to all the books on the business part of it. Get him involved in local independent film in your area. Avoid anyone at all who comes off with a "I'm gonna make you a star" pitch, because NOBODY does that who is for real. Don't blow off everyone, but you have to have your feelers up for the scam artists, and there are many. Remember, agents MUST BY LAW be licensed, and NO AGENT will charge any kind of fee upfront. They make their money from % of the work they find the actor. If they're charging a fee, or if they say "oh, you're great, but we need photos, go to this guy" they're a scam. (It's an old scam - they're working with the photographer in cahoots). Headshots shouldn't cost you more than a couple hundred bucks. The photographer should not be connected in any way with an agent or manager. If they are, run away, it's a scam to get you to pay for overpriced photos. Get involved - go to ALL auditions, and make sure your son reads all this stuff i'm writing, so you don't get into one of those "awwww, mom, you're ruining everything" situation, because he thinks some jerkoff is "gonna make him a star". Get a subscription to Dramalogue (it's in L.A.). Get the Hollywood Creative Directories (on agents & managers - you can order from their website) later, when he's actually had training, and is ready to audition and work.