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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm a drama teacher. Don't put your kid in the industry at 10. That's unkind. Let him do it recreationally - at a community theater or summer camp, just like you'd do for an interest in soccer or horseback riding. Acting is the strange industry where they hire children because they need them for some of the stories they tell. But that doesn't mean that getting paid work at a young age is good for your child. Agents exist to monetize your child's talent. 10 year olds are easily lured by ideas of fame. Keep him focused on the art form. Keep it age-appropriate. [/quote]

Can you explain in more detail why it is unkind if the child really enjoys doing it? Why is it bad for the child?  I can understand why it would be bad for a parent to force their child to do commercials or whatever if they hate it, but what about the PPs who have child actors who clearly seem to really enjoy that type of thing.  As a drama teacher (I assume theater?), why do think it is such a bad thing? [/quote]

In professional acting acting and modeling, there is a lot of rejection for very superficial things that have zero to do with talent.

Something as natural as hitting a growth spurt, losing a tooth or getting braces, getting a sunburn or pimple, pre-pubescent tummy pudge, or having your voice change are all seen as very negative things for professional child actors. Their achievement and self worth is tied up not in their talent, professionalism or hard work, but ratyer a LOT of things out of their control that are not negatives at all except to those running things.

You don't find this same pressure at the regional or local level. If the kid is professional and talented, the natural part of being a kid is just something they roll with.  This is also a big difference between print and film/TV vs stage work. There are flaws that are emphasized and captured on camera that are not an issue in live performances.

I always think of young actors like the little boy who played young Skywalker, who was so excited to play this role of a lifetime in all the Star Wars promotionals, but who was universally slammed for his work once the movie came out. He has said on numerous occassions that the role of little Anikin ruined his life, and that the criticisms he endured were too much for him to process for his age. That movie cost him childhood friends, his budding acting career, and years of happiness.

Disney stars, McCauley Caulkin. The Coreys and their repeated molestation being passed around hollywood execs.

If your kid wants to act, think long and hard before pursuing the hollywood/film route. It might be a wonderful experience but if history shows us anything, it usually isn't for the kids.[/quote]

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