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Tips From a Parent of a Child Actor: How Your Children Can Make Money in Hollywood

Your Kids on the Silver Screen?

By Debby Alten, published Feb 19, 2007
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With a good management company behind you, your child could be making quite a nice living in the entertainment world. I would strongly suggest, however, if you have any interest in putting your child on the small or big screen, you learn the business of Hollywood to protect the welfare of your son or daughter. Watch out for those scams which require you to pay hundreds of dollars up front.

Before you get that agent or manager (again watch out for those scammers), your best avenue for your child might be to work as a background actor--an extra, if you will. Here is where you'll pick up the knowledge, even a little bit of wisdom, and your son or daughter will gain an intense education and appreciation for the art of acting.

So let's begin this journey, shall we? An average paycheck runs around $126 per day including a gourmet breakfast, an enormous amount of amazing snacks all day, and lunch. Trust me when I say that you seriously need a workout schedule because one could gain ten pounds a day. The food is fabulous and there's plenty of it. In any case, certain children who have that "special" and unique look can make more than the base pay, and body doubles may add another $50 on top of that.

Then later on, down this path of "almost famous," if you decide to join the unions, SAG or AFTRA, or SAG and AFTRA, your child's paycheck will likely double. Both unions, of course, aren't cheap to join but well worth it--medical insurance and other benefits included. There's a one-time membership fee of $1300 for AFTRA with a minimum of $63.90 annually, and it will set you back $1600 to join SAG, also with annual dues. The latter will raise its membership fee to $2200 on February 14th, 2007-happy Valentine's Day.

So how or where should one start? It's not as hard as you might expect. To begin with, get your child registered with a reputable management company. We have worked with the Burbank-based Kids Background Talent in Southern California. They promise you at least one job per month, though we work at least three times a month with a few call-backs.

Tips From a Parent of a Child Actor: How Your Children Can Make Money in Hollywood

This is the kind of shot you will need for a management company like Kids Management.

Credit: Debby Alten

Copyright: Debby Alten

Takeaways
  • Coogan Law/Child Labor Laws
  • Work Permits for Minors and maintaining good grades
  • Studio Teachers
Comments
Comments 1 - 6 of 6
 
 
you guys rule

Posted on 07/29/2008 at 1:07:19 AM

 
How about advancing your child's acting career with a filmmaking workshop on a Greek island: http://www.ParosParadise.com/filmmaking.htm Cheers,

Posted on 12/22/2007 at 6:12:52 PM

 
Hi SC, I would not have signed with Hollywood Kids, but since you have, take in all the info you can. The classes are a good start but no need to take them all. The best way is to sign up with Kids Background Talent. Your child will be working constantly and making around $150 per job. Also, depending on when you signed you might be able to get a refund from Hollywood Kids. Couldn't harm in trying.

Posted on 10/18/2007 at 9:10:00 PM

 
My son was scouted at the mall and it eventually lead us to Hollywood Group, we just signed him up there yesterday and I am having buyers remorse. My son could not go through with this and he will be just fine, his heart is not set on it but it seems my husband really wants to have him attend the acting classes they offer for an extra fee. I am tempted to ask for a refund, are the benefits really worth it? Is work steady enough to have our hollywood group and KBT fees every 6 months paid for themselves? We are a one income family with 2 younger children, I am just wondering your opinion as an experienced mom.

Posted on 09/07/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Dear Concerned Mom. Kids Background Talent is not a scam. We've worked on major movies and television shows and they are who the industry calls upon for extras. Yes, the production companies pays them and we get a paycheck from KBT (with a photo copy of the original check from Paramount, Fox, WB etc.) and the production company is the one who sends money to our Coogan account. Agents usually get between 10 to 15% and managers take about 20%. Some actors have both. KBT also pays me gas money when going on auditions. They are the company the industry relies on.

Posted on 06/14/2007 at 1:06:00 PM

 
Kids Background Talent takes 20% off your paycheck "like any legitimate manager?". I hate to tell you, but this is another "scam". A manager gets 15%, not 20%, and background companies are usually paid by the production company!

Posted on 04/11/2007 at 8:04:00 AM

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