The On Location Education Blog
From Child Actor to Stand-up Comedian
From Child Actor to Stand-Up Comedian
Is your young performer interested in stand-up comedy? If they have a great sense of humor or a knack for making their co-stars laugh frequently on set, then they may have what it takes to thrive as a comedian.
While it may seem like kids exist on a different wavelength than the rest of the world, their sometimes-wacky viewpoints can bring a new light to many common topics, and that is a tremendous asset in stand-up comedy. A child’s humor is suitable for all or a wide variety of audiences, as everyone was a child once and can relate to the experiences from which a child comedian may draw.
Introducing Your Child to Voice Acting
Introducing Your Child to Voice Acting
Acting is a broad category, full of many different avenues to pursue. If your child has acting aspirations, chances are they may not be clear on all the options open to them. One of these possible areas of focus, with its own ups and downs, is voice acting. Though it may seem that voice acting is a simpler alternative to theater or film, it requires character, focus, hard work, and skills, just like any other form of acting.
Creating the Perfect Child Actor Resume
Creating the Perfect Child Actor Resume
When trying to book any sort of job for your child, making sure they have a well-organized, comprehensive resume will dramatically increase their chances of getting hired. While not having a resume at all is a problem, having a poorly-crafted one can be just as detrimental.
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.
What Makes A Great Momager
What Makes a Great Momager
Before we delve into what makes a great momager, let’s define the term: As the name implies, it is a combination of “mom” and “manager,” and refers to a mother who manages her child’s or children’s show business careers.
Manager vs. Agent
What’s the Difference Between A Manager and an Agent?
For young performers trying to break into the entertainment industry, representation is key. To succeed, parents must seek out the right agent or manager to help land auditions, generate opportunities, and manage their children’s careers.
Headshots
The Headshot: The Actor's Foot in the Door
For young actors entering the entertainment field, their headshots are one of the most critical components of their marketing toolkits. It is their introduction to agents and casting directors, and the right headshot can mean the difference between being selected to audition for a major role or being passed by in favor of someone else.
What it Takes to be an On-set Teacher
What it Takes to be an On-Set Teacher
For the teacher with a creative soul who is searching for a different environment in which to enrich his or her skill, educating child actors in an on-set teaching situation is a viable, unique alternative.
"You really get to teach," said on-set teacher Sally Rusk in an interview with OLE. "You get to work with students one-on-one or in small groups so you learn your students’ strength, weaknesses and learning styles so you can get some great interactions going."
A Different Role: What it Takes to be a Studio Teacher
A Different Role: What it Takes to be a Studio Teacher
In a previous article, we discussed the role of an on-set teacher. For most of the country, on-set teachers are responsible for educating young performers while on location. But if you are in California, the role is referred to as a studio teacher, and goes well beyond the scope of an on-set teacher.
The studio teacher is more like a combined teacher and social worker, and the certification requires adherence to specific child labor laws that come into play on the set. A studio teacher must be present where there are minors in any entertainment arena, including film, TV, photography, recording, modeling, or even a rodeo or circus — anywhere where a child actor or entertainer of any sort is present and working.
Mastering the Art of Auditioning for the Young Actor
Mastering the Art of Auditioning for the Young Actor
The audition process for many young actors can be stressful, but it can also be a freeing, fun learning experience. Really. While "getting the part" is the ultimate goal, parents and agents who mentor these young actors may find that altering that focus could make the child’s acting journey much more enjoyable and rewarding.
Spotting A Scam
Actors Beware: How to Uncover a Scam
Scams, unfortunately, are abundant within the entertainment industry. This is especially true when it comes to young performers. Unscrupulous talent agents, service providers, and other so-called industry professionals are focused more on collecting their fees than they are in helping your child succeed.
Acting Styles
When it comes to choosing an acting style, there is no shortage of options. Fortunately, many of these techniques are well-established and widely acclaimed by some of the most well-known names in the industry. Whether you are a budding young performer or a veteran of stage and screen, you can always up your game by studying the principles of a legendary acting teacher.