Hello.. I will like some feedback on C Allen Kotler from Higher Connections Talent i been looking on the internet but cant find anything..
thank you in advance..

Looks like Higher Connections is not a talent agency but a management company. IMDB Pro lists just one client. No listing under the California talent agency license database, which leads me to further believe it's a management company, not a talent agency, unless the company just recently got its talent agency license or something.

I’m a stage mom and am new to the business. Two days before I met with Mr. C. Allen of Higher Connections Talent, I took my son to meet w/an agent and he wanted to send me to a photographer that was going to charge me an arm and a leg. Mr. C. Allen on the other hand, advised that since my child is pre-adolescent, I should NOT spend a lot of money on costly headshots because my son may grow and may not look the same in six months and I very well may have to get him updated shots. He went on to say that if I can’t afford headshots for my 9 year old, that I can take clear digital pictures and he can use them. I applaud his caring and honestly as well as his advice and patience with all of my concerns and questions. I was also very impressed that when I came out our meeting, there was an actor from one of my favorite shows on HBO waiting to meet with him. I was very impressed with C. Allen and Higher Connections; he is a gentleman and a class act.

IMHO, at age 9 kids really DO need professional headshots. You will not be able to seriously compete with digal pics you took yourself. That being said, you can get decent headshots without paying a fortune. You just need to shop around and do your homework.

I've never heard of that agency but that doesn't mean anything. Anytime a new poster comes on the bOard raving about a new business throws up a red flag. Proceed with caution.

I agree with dramamama. At age 9 your child needs professional shots if he wants to compete in the California market. By that age the kids are serious and professional and photos are the first thing that a casting director sees.

quote:

I took my son to meet w/an agent and he wanted to send me to a photographer that was going to charge me an arm and a leg.

Curious...who was the agent...you can PM is you wish...

I don't think Stage Mom is a shill, because she posted in another thread on an unrelated topic. (The shills usually post only about the company they're shilling.) And she didn't over-the-top rave about how amazing the company is and accuse detractors of being competitors.

However, she IS wrong about the headshots. It's true that professional headshots aren't mandatory for VERY young children (under age 5), whose looks change quickly as they grow, but certainly at age 9 they're needed. And you don't need to get new ones every six months at that age. My daughter's headshots at age 9 lasted a full two years; she's 11 now, and we JUST had new ones taken yesterday. The old ones are now starting to look a little younger than she does in person, so we went for new ones, but they were fine for two whole years before it became necessary.

Oh please, she created the profile the same day she posted here. She was just a bit subtle... but not that much - repeatedly spelling out the agent's name.

As a follow up, my 9 year old has just booked his first job! it's a print job for Bank of the West! & YES he got it from the clear digital pictures that I gave his manager that I shot with my Cannon Elf & photo shopped myself
-PROUD MOMMA
PS Current score: Frugal Kids Headshot Adice 1
Need For Expensive Pic'S -0-

I have three kids that are actors ages 7,10 & 11. They are with a decent sized agency and they use the pictures that I take with my digital camera. Their agent appreciates that I am able to update their headshots every few months. My kids seem to get their fair share of work.

I agree...my child has booked using both professional headshots and digital ones I took myself. I have also been able to use the professional headshots for up to two years before needing new ones.

I just checked IMDB pro and there are several clients listed

My daughter booked a national commercial and I've only used my own photos. She will be eight soon. She has auditioned a few times and has been getting auditions quite a bit! She has a zed card with my photos from a professional cam and it seems to do the trick. As long as they look like them I think it's ok! For the meantime. We will get some prof photos-Eventually! I wouldn't spend to much money because they do change so much.

I think C. Allen Kotler gave you excellent advice. My two kids get more gig filming than most. They almost always get picked and I only have home made digital head shots I took myself. I see beautiful head shots all the time and they look NOTHING like the kid. I have been told casting directors love just regular looking happy kids pictures. People waste SO much money on professional pics. Mine are even 4x6's. As long as you can leave them a great resume and a cute picture that actually looks like your kid it is all good. My son is filming with C.Allen Kotler this weekend. I could be really wrong but I think it might be for the Jimmy Kimmel Show.