Hi everyone--

I'm new to the board, but it's already been really helpful. I have a basic question, though, and haven't been able to find a complete answer to it by browsing past postings.

How would a 1yo in NYC get cast in commercials, TV, film, etc.?

I've read here that my dd is supposed to be exclusive with one agency for print, but that for everything else, freelancing is the way to go. Is that right?

If so, how exactly do you do freelance? Presuming some agencies are willing to work with her, do we just periodically send photos and call them asking if there is anything for her? How often should we do that? (Sorry to be so clueless.)

My dd has meetings scheduled with Willy, Ford, Product and Gilla, and offers for representation from Gen and Abrams. Could someone tell me which of these agencies (or any other agencies) would be willing to freelance?

Thanks a lot for any help. Hope I can return the favor someday

Wilhelmina and Ford will make you sign contracts. Product and Generation will have a verbal agreement for exclusivity. You can freelance other print if you're with Gilla Roos and sometimes Abrams (depending on your relationship with Bonnie).

You generally won't be able to find a commercial agent at one year of age. If you are interested in that, your best bet is to go with a full service agency such as Abrams or CESD. Generation has a TV department that is just starting out and Willy and Ford do that side too but Abrams and CESD are true full service.

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply! I got the impression from other threads here that Abrams is not as great for babies/toddlers because they don't do as much print...

quote:

Originally posted by april16:
How would a 1yo in NYC get cast in commercials, TV, film, etc.?

I've read here that my dd is supposed to be exclusive with one agency for print, but that for everything else, freelancing is the way to go. Is that right?

If so, how exactly do you do freelance? Presuming some agencies are willing to work with her, do we just periodically send photos and call them asking if there is anything for her? How often should we do that? (Sorry to be so clueless.)

My dd has meetings scheduled with Willy, Ford, Product and Gilla, and offers for representation from Gen and Abrams. Could someone tell me which of these agencies (or any other agencies) would be willing to freelance?

Thanks a lot for any help. Hope I can return the favor someday

How do you get a 1 y.o. cast?: Easiest way is to sign with an agent. Then they submit you and you go on auditions and go sees. There may be some direct booking too.

I've read the my dd is supposed to be exclusive for print... No, I don't think we said anyone is SUPPOSED to be exclusive for print. It is just that most of the agents compete for the same jobs with the same clients so they prefer exclusive (either written or verbal agreements) for print. Turn around for print casting is fast so agents just assume you are available if you are working with them. If a print agent calls with a go see for your kid and you tell them you are not available, they will not be too pleased. Eventually, probably sooner rather than later, they will just not call you. There are a few print agents who will freelance, but most don't. Even if you find one who will, it is hard to find another that will, so there isn't much point.

How do you freelance? Well, for print, I'm not sure. I don't know anyone with kids who is actually freelancing for print, though maybe some with managers are able to do it...maybe someone out there can chime in on this. But for freelancing in general I think you supply the agents with pix (4x6 snapshots are fine) and they call you when they have auditions/go sees/bookings. They will probably call you frequently to ask for updates on sizes and measurements (at least our manager & agents do that...probably once a month).

Of the agencies you mentioned, I think Gilla Roos freelances for print, but, as I said before, there aren't many others who will do it.

Also, of the agencies you mentioned, I know kids from GenTV and Willy who are doing both lots of print and lots of commercials. Difference between the two...Gen is an AGENCY for print, tv, commercials and film...Willy is an agency for print and a MANAGEMENT COMPANY for tv & commercials. Product and Ford are exclusively print (Ford has a relationship with Innovative, but it is not assumed that you will work with both when you sign with Ford). CESD and Abrams tend to have less print work for the little ones. I know there are a few board members who have little ones doing print with those agencies...perhaps they could chime in.

Sounds like you've read through a lot of posts so you are already familiar with the big kid print agencies. If you are interested in an agency that does a lot of print, along with commercials & tv, Gen or Willy might be right for you. They have a big print departments along with a commercial departments. But, as NYmomoftwo said, you will have to sign some sort of agreement for print with those agencies. Is there a reason you are seeking a freelance relationship for print?

Oh wow, thanks SO much, kipmil, for answering so thoroughly. That was incredibly helpful. (How did you learn all this stuff??? Is there a book I should read?)

quote:

If you are interested in an agency that does a lot of print, along with commercials & tv, Gen or Willy might be right for you.

That's exactly right. Thanks for deciphering my message, haha.
Sorry I gave the impression that I was seeking a freelance relationship for print. I actually was trying to figure out how to freelance for everything else besides print (since I am presuming that dd will be exclusive for print).
Generation says on its site that GenTV is for ages 5+, so I didn't think my 1yo would be considered. (I forgot to ask them at our meeting, shoot.)
But maybe it's silly of me to worry about introducing dd to other parts of the business at this age, since I am new to this and she is just a baby starting out?
Anyway thanks again!

Glad my post was helpful. I'm at an advantage because I've been working in the biz for over 20 years, although my kids have only been working, professionally, for a short time. I find that no matter how many years of experience one has, there is always something else to learn about this biz. I learn something new every day. That's one of the things I love about it. As for reading, If you read everything you can in the following links (including the books mentioned in within the links), you should have a great basis for making informed decisions and choices regarding your child's acting and modeling.

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9611031/m/9461061

http://bizparentz.com

http://bizkidstg.com

http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/000181.html

Your DD is really young, so I wouldn't fret over things too much right now. You still don't know how she will take to it...she might end up hating the running around, primping, waiting, etc. Meanwhile, find a good agency that you click with...go with your gut. What's right for someone else might not be right for you. You are doing the right thing by interviewing with as many agencies as will see you.

BTW - I'm not sure about GenTV's bottom age limit. If they offered to rep your DD, then why not give them a call for clarification?

When we met with Patti at Gen, she told me that if something comes up that is right for your child, she will call you. But just remember there is not much commercial/tv work for kids under 3-4 unless you have twins.

Thanks, kipmil, for those terrific links. Guess I have a lot of reading to do

Oh, and I'll check with Gen about her eligibility for TV. I should have done that already; I probably worry a bit too much about bothering them...

And thanks, NYmomoftwo, for the TV info -- good to know that commercial/tv work is scarce at this age anyway!

quote:

Originally posted by NYmomoftwo:
Wilhelmina and Ford will make you sign contracts. Product and Generation will have a verbal agreement for exclusivity. You can freelance other print if you're with Gilla Roos and sometimes Abrams (depending on your relationship with Bonnie).

You generally won't be able to find a commercial agent at one year of age. If you are interested in that, your best bet is to go with a full service agency such as Abrams or CESD. Generation has a TV department that is just starting out and Willy and Ford do that side too but Abrams and CESD are true full service.

wow thats incredible info!!!