Hey Kiddo, You Got the Look!
Do you think your child’s got what it takes to be a model? Are your ready to be a stage parent? Guest blogger Jazer Basan suggests 5 questions to ask yourself before you consider putting your child in the spotlight.
This is a guest post by Jazer Basan. If you would like to guest post on the Schoolkid.Ph blog, contact us for guidelines.
You have the most beautiful child in the world and she ought to be on TV. One day, a talent scout appraoches you in the mall. “Mommy, pwede pong maging commercial model ang anak niyo!” Suddenly you’re bursting with excitement wanting to know how, when or if he’s for real. So here’s the big Q. “How can your kid be a commercial model?” Before putting her on camera, it’s important to ask yourself these.
1) Does your child want to be a commercial model?
We surely don’t want to push our kids to fulfill our own dream. Not all kids want to be in the spotlight and they should be respected for that. If your child is too shy, wait for her to mature until she’s ready to be what she wants.
2) Does she have the looks, the talent and a good set of teeth?
It only takes a smile and know how to follow instructions. Good looks and drop-dead cutie smile means having a good set of teeth. If your kid doesn’t, it’s ok. Teeth grows back and this time, take care of it.
3) Can you take the demands?
Many parents have to leave from work and kids skip school on a VTR day. Location, date and schedule differs for each casting call. The long drive/trip to the location, standing in line and waiting for your turn are all a part of stage parenting.
4) Can you deal with the competition?
For one child role, over a hundred will try out. Screening offices are jam-packed and the overflow of crowd can be uncomfortable for hours. Also, it is threatening to see prettier kid talents in the same room.
5) Can you handle rejection?
After all the long trips, skipping school and work, the long lines, preparing, coaching, the audition and agonizing anticipation, you don’t get a call. Some very lucky people get the gold at their first shot. To the majority gets the reply “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” You know that your child is prettier and more talented and yet they chose the other kid. In stage parenting, as in life, you have to be a good sport. You are in this expecting no guarantees. Handling rejection and disappointment in a good manner can instill good traits on your child some adults don’t even have.
If your answer is all “Yes”, then now’s the time to get an Agent. Modelling Agencies or Talent Management accept talents of all ages and they are listed. Just give them a call and say “I want to get my kid into modelling.” Agency people always get this kind of call and can get the ball rolling for you.
Being a stage parent is tough, from nurturing your kid’s talent, getting an agent, going to VTRs, handling rejection, getting projects and managing your child’s ego. Getting a call that your kid got the part is like winning the lottery. Today, TV. Tomorrow, the movies. What could be next? Before anything, ask not yourself but your child. “Iha, do you like to see yourself on TV?”
Read Jazer Basan’s detailed guide on getting your child into commercial modelling at her blog page http://stagemothercornerph.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/how-to-get-your-kid-into-commercial-modelling/
About our guest blogger:
Jazer Basan is a mommy blogger. Her blog, http://stagemothercornerph.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/how-to-get-your-kid-into-commercial-modelling/, features an online journal to her first hand experience into her kids’ modelling life. She is also a contributor to Smart Parenting Philippines website.
Photo credits: Jazer Basan
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