Recognizing and Avoiding Pressure on a Child Model or Actor

Parents of newcomers often put too much pressure on themselves and their children on the first few auditions. If you can avoid the pressure whole lapping up the excitement, you will be better off from the start, because there is no reward for pressure except for unnecessary stress on your child.

Remember, the first call is only a first look. It simply means that the casting director has seen your child's picture and now, he would like to see for himself if your child has that "certain something" when they meet him in person.

There shouldn't be any pressure put on your child - no matter how important you may feel the audition is. You will never inspire in your child a positive attitude about acting if, every time he feels apprehensive, your disappointment in him is overwhelming. While your child may be exactly what the casting company is looking for (in your mind, anyway), so might fifty other kids! If your child has done his best on the audition, that is all you should expect from him. However, if he is having a rotten day and doesn't feel like performing, there shouldn't be hell to pay from you.

Don't make your child perfect; this isn't a modeling call or a beauty pageant. This is reality and casting directory want real children. Child actors must be relaxed at all times in order to perform their best work. Whether our child is "on" or "off," your job is to keep him cool. The climate should always be cool, calm, and collected. Your child is there to show off and shine.

Children are like little sponges. If yours thinks you're freaked our by all this, how do you expect him to respond? Your child should feel that this new venture fits into his life, not replaces it. A little dirt on his face, messed up hair, or a wrinkle on his shirt, can actually be a plus in keeping him relaxed enough to book a job. No, parents, we don't suggest you take your child on calls like he just rolled in dirt. What we are trying to suggest is that you allow your child to be himself whenever possible.

Separation Anxiety

Another important consideration, especially for infants, is your child's ability to separate easily from you. Will your infant go to a stranger without screaming when you hand him over? Casting directors won't give him a few days or even a few minutes to bond with the actor(s) playing his parent(s) during the audition. It's now or never when infants and the audition process are concerned. You will be in the room with your infant, but you will not be in front of the camera with him.

For more information, read our Parent's Guide to Child Acting and Modeling