The On Location Education Blog

Living with Anxiety and Uncertainty as an Actor

Living with Anxiety and Uncertainty as an Actor

Actors are constantly faced with rejection and uncertainty. This is a natural part of practically every career or field of interest, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to grapple with. Especially for young or new actors, a lack of confidence can feel debilitating. But it’s important to remember that every actor has had to deal with this type of anxiety at one point in their careers. There’s nothing wrong with feeling nervous about your burgeoning skills, but in the long run, these feelings can hold you back from growth.

Read More

Words of Wisdom from Two Successful Young Actors

Words of Wisdom from Two Successful Young Actors

Aspiring child and teen actors have an expansive array of role models to observe in television and film. And while it’s helpful to study the techniques of successful performers, young actors can also learn a lot about the craft and the industry by following the advice of those who blazed a trail before them. Here are some words of wisdom from two actors who started their careers from a young age.

Read More

Industry Voices: Part 2 of Our Interview with Denise Simon

When you think about the team of people who support a young actor’s career, a broad group of professionals come to mind: Directors, coaches, casting directors and agents all fill important functions in the success of a child performer. But let’s not forget about the critical role that parents play in supporting, protecting, encouraging, and overseeing their children’s acting careers.

Read More

Industry Voices: Staying Safe Online

An interview with BizParentz Co-Founders Paula Dorn and Anne Henry: Part 2

BizParentz Foundation, a non-profit organization, supports young performers and their parents by providing education, advocacy and charitable support. Created by stage moms Paula Dorn and Anne Henry, BizParentz aims to share information on topics associated with children in the entertainment industry so that families can make an informed decision best suited to their individual needs and experience.

Read More

Industry Voices: Safety, Smart Choices & Stage Names

An interview with BizParentz Co-Founders Paula Dorn and Anne Henry: Part I

How it all began: In 2001, Paula Dorn met Anne Henry. Their sons, both 10 years old and established young performers in the LA area, were working in a live show at Disneyland. Around that same time, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was sponsoring legislation that updated the “Coogan Law,” which requires trust accounts for young performers.

Read More

Industry Voices: An Interview with On-Set Teacher Sally Rusk

It used to be said that school was about the three “Rs”: reading, writing, and arithmetic. Today’s students delve deeper into a wider range of subjects, of course, with additional studies in the areas of history, science, technology, and more. But when your classroom is on a set and your schoolwork happens between takes, your teacher’s responsibility goes even further than that.

Read More

Industry Voices

In the first part of our interview with Steven, he discussed the personal challenges he faced when becoming a stage parent, the importance of understanding child labor laws, and why child actors should be the ones who define their success. In part two, Steven debunks the stereotype of the overbearing stage parent and highlights the essential role parents should play as partners in their young performer’s career. 

Read More

Industry Voices

Attorney Steven C. Beer has spent more than 20 years in the entertainment industry representing top writers, directors, producers, and film production companies and guiding popular acts in music, including artists such as Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga. When his own son expressed interest in pursuing a career in acting, Steven drew on his extensive professional experience for very personal reasons, helping set his young actor on the right path to success and learning a lot along the way.

Read More