Here is the topic that gets everyone into a lather, whether you’re a parent or an actor. Getting work!

If you have been fortunate to be asked on to an acting agency don’t think you’ve cracked it, because this is the start of a long uphill struggle to working.

Another thing that must be totally understood is that it’s not the agent that gets you the job, it’s the artist. The agent will make the introduction but it’s up to the actor to go in the audition room and fight for their job. Yes, obviously agents differ in energy, motivation and contacts but ultimately you have to get that job. When I was acting I was more in fear of my agent sacking me for not getting the work than me sacking them because the opportunities weren’t coming. Agents need actors who can work consistently so that they can be paid too. Having “dead wood” on the books will never pay the bills. The most successful agents are the ones who are better at spotting talent than necessarily having anything extra special about them. This has taken me a while to learn as I was more interested in a child’s personal development than in striving to create a brand and see a child as a money making machine. It’s actually very stressful for a tutor or an agent to be placed under that much pressure and at times I have felt sick to my stomach wondering whether I have pitched things right. I have to sit myself down and just remember why all this started and that usually sorts my head out! I won’t be played off against another school or agent, I am not that desperate for business.

Firstly, are you prepared for what lies ahead? Here are some frequently asked questions that should sort your head out.

Yes and No! If you want your child to be involved in stage and screen then they will most certainly miss quite a bit of school should they be successful. If your investment is all about education, then read no more as it will inevitably suffer unless you want to put the hours in! Companies will not provide a tutor on short term projects. Big film companies like the “Harry Potter” franchise did because of the length of time those children were away from home and school. Some long running dramas do this too so it’s very dependent on the company.

Yes they do and I have known some schools flatly refuse time off for filming. It may just be that they have strict attendance criteria or they may just simply not agree with a child working in term time so check that your head is on the same page as you first. When a child is working they are licensed so the school must sign the agreement too. No licence. No work.

My daughter always asked for extra work to take away, or found out what they would be covering that term before telling me to go and buy the relevant topic! There is a lot of down time in filming so plenty of opportunities to complete any worksheets but again, remember, all in moderation. The child also has to concentrate on their lines and their upcoming scene which could be anything from highly emotional to majorly energetic.

No! Never! Do not hand any money over to join an agency. Even if they say it’s administration costs! Good agencies don’t have joining fees.

Yes, all the children on my agency have joined “Spotlight” and the parent pays them a fee to be on their directory. This is linked directly to the agent who can then in turn put your child up for work. This can cost up to £100 per year to join but payment is usually made directly to “Spotlight”! I try not to get involved with any money exchanges as it confuses my accountant! You will also need good photographic headshots. The agency generally works closely with a specific actors photographer. They know exactly what the agent wants and what casting directors expect. I am lucky enough that my eldest sister, Lisa, is a photographer and therefore she takes nearly all of my actors’ photos. Be wary of agents who get a cut of the photographer’s profits by promoting only them. I make no extra money by recommending her, I do it because she’s an amazing photographer. I have heard that some agencies do obtain bonuses this way. Hmmmm, I don’t agree with this.

Your child’s photo should have the option of colour and black and white. Traditionally an actor’s photo is black and white, from the shoulders up and all about the face. In America they use colour photos and this is becoming widely used here too so skin tone can be considered in castings. Especially with children when they are trying to match up parents etc. You should never wear too much make up (need to be age appropriate), wear a branded item of clothing (you may be at a conflicting company’s commercial casting), wear a strappy top (particularly with children, as its frowned upon to see too much flesh!) wear lots of jewellery (can overpower the photo) or tie your hair back (they need to see the length). Pay your photographer directly and they will give you a copy of your photos once completed. The agent will usually decide which photos they want to use to promote your child. Don’t argue with them! They’ve been doing it for years and they know what will get your child through the audition doors.

There is no set answer on this really BUT what I would say is that for a child, the relationship is different. I wouldn’t be nagging my child’s agent very often as they cannot lead aggressively on their career. I think the healthiest relationship is to have a chat every couple of months if you haven’t heard about upcoming jobs that your child has been put forward for. I always display the jobs that have come in to the agency that week at my drama classes so parents can see what work is in and who has been submitted for it. Only call them if there are concerns, but otherwise leave them to it. For an adult actor, the relationship has moved a lot to email but I still talk or meet my actors face to face when I can. An actor who is on the phone all the time is a real turn off and they don’t usually stay long as, of course, they know better.

Very interesting! It differs all over the country and I can tell you that for children it is generally 20%. I am quite old school in my approach and treat a child like I treat my adult actors. The rate is 10% for theatre, 15% for TV and film and 20% for commercials. The reason commercials are so much is that the fees are usually higher, they can offer monthly, quarterly, half year and yearly buyouts or in some cases a full buyout of a job. Anything up to a year buyout means that they can show that commercial whenever they want within the set period of the buyout. If they want to extend it, they usually approach the agent and negotiate a new deal for another term which involves paying you again. A full buyout is when you get a lump sum for the commercial and they can show this whenever they want for however long they want and even revive it in 20 years! Read the contract carefully so you know what you’re signing. Your agent is usually very competent at this and will guide you through the process.

The company that has employed your child will pay the agency direct after being invoiced by the agent, who will pay you in turn after deducting their commission. You should have a detailed receipt showing a listed audit of what the gross was, commission taken, expenses/ chaperone fee, VAT if applicable and then a final total.  

Look, what you have to remember is that agents spend a lot of time and energy into building strong relationships with casting directors and they don’t like to be embarrassed or let down by their client misrepresenting them. If you are lucky enough to get an audition and you need to adjust the time, your agent will more than happily ask if they have another slot. If the casting director doesn’t have one you should move heaven and earth to get there. Simply turning round and saying you can’t do it is unacceptable. It’s terribly embarrassing to have to cancel an audition and everyone should experience it to understand why it’s a big no no! If you are on your way and there has been a huge crash or another unexpected event, let your agent know so they can inform the team waiting for you to get there. Yes, you may be asked to head back home as they are unable to squeeze you in but I have never heard of that. They usually accommodate everybody who has been booked.

It took me ages to pluck the courage up to ask about this! A pencil is when a company likes your child and they are in the running to be booked for the job, it’s like their top ten list. There will be other children on pencils too but it’s just to let you know that they are in the final stages. A heavy pencil means they are down to the very last two or so. This is the time to start thinking about getting a licence together, especially if the job is pretty much round the corner. Don’t do something crazy like book a holiday or plan an event as if they book your child you need to be available for all the dates stated and potential wardrobe fittings. That doesn’t mean they have the job, it just means they are very close to getting it!

Each education authority differs but as a general rule a licence consists of a Part 1 (the company fill this in stating clearly what the job entails, the dates and the requirement of the child in performance), Part 2 (the parent fills this part in detailing the child’s school, previous work and monies paid, agent and personal details and a medical questionnaire stating they are fit and well to work), Part 3 (the head of the school, signs and approves the upcoming job) and a copy of your child’s birth certificate and two passport photographs. When everything has been sent to the education authority, this is the point where they will stamp it up for approval, hopefully!

If your child is booked for a job, congratulations. That does not mean you can plaster it all over Facebook and Twitter or any other social media that you may be assigned to! This can lead to automatic “sacking” before you’ve even started! Your agent will be furious with you! Be professional. Don’t discuss the job with anyone if you can help it. Once you have a transmission date (aired for TV or film) then you can let others know. I know that it can be super hard to keep something so amazing quiet, but you have to do it. I have seen some horrendous things happen by people not being able to keep lips tight so take heed and learn from others’ mistakes. As an agent even I don’t display which company has booked my client. On my website I will simply say a well done to (name) who has just been successful in booking their job with a “well known leading” cereal company. That means I can be happy and gloat for my client but without compromising the ad company.