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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Advice to Parents of a Child Actor

An associate is putting together a new book "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" with advice from industry professionals for parents of child actors. I thought I would share part of my contribution here.

Each person’s career path is so unique that for all the rules, realize there are no rules. Dreams can be real for those who work hard, dare to be different, and take chances. However, there are a few guidelines, tips, and legitimate questions to consider that may be helpful along the journey for young actors.

WHY?

Before embarking your child in a career as an actor, seriously ask why you want to do this. Is this what your child wants or is this YOUR personal dream as a parent? Are your expectations realistic for what it takes? Are you and your son or daughter ready to make a long term commitment?

AUDITION INSIGHT

Directors, Producers and Casting Directors WANT your child to be right for the part. Those seemingly intimidating people behind the table truly want each person that walks through the door to be the perfect fit. They need to fill the roles. When your child auditions they must understand they are a vital part of the process and are helping a creative team to get the job done. This positive and professional attitude projects confidence (also helps with nerves!).

Learn to take direction! Often Directors or Casting Directors will give suggestions for a line reading or new interpretation. They need to know that during rehearsals or a shoot that your child can be flexible. Any actor must be prepared to go with the flow, listen to what is being asked and be free enough to try something different. A good actor must be creative with an ability to modify, expand & experiment. Good acting classes will provide essential tools and tricks to overcome fear, find relaxation & focus, and to discover the freedom to get in touch with emotions. This is usually a natural for kids, but technique can be developed from an early age.


If your child does not get a part that doesn’t necessarily mean they did a bad job. Casting so often comes down to look, type, or style. Another child may just better resemble the actor booked to play the Mother or Father, for example. If the Director or Casting Director likes what they see - some talent, a good attitude, attentiveness and an ability to take direction - your Son or Daughter will be remembered and most likely called in for a future opportunity. One audition sometimes turns out to be the initial introduction for another part in a project down the road!

When an audition is over, forget about it. Move on to the next. It can be a long and frustrating wait wondering if your child got the part, or a call back. Let it go. If you get good news, then celebrate. There are too may auditions to worry about each one.

Most importantly encourage your child have fun, be truthful, and to be themselves.

DON’T BE A NIGHTMARE PARENT!

If your child is cast in a project, the production team will have to work with YOU and your child. Your behavior as a parent can make or break your son or daughter’s early chance at success in the entertainment industry. There is nothing worse than a “Helicopter Parent”, meaning those that hover all the time and interfere. Directors and producers will not only reject your child, but will avoid future contact if a child is known for having an overbearing parent. Of course you care deeply that your child succeeds, but you must learn when to step back and let your child do what they are good at.

Don’t over coach! I worked with a parent who always over rehearsed his daughter with line readings. He made her practice repeatedly exactly how to say a line. The poor girl was chided if she did not deliver the words and intonations as coached. This only made her nervous and is so against the grain of any creative process for an actor.

She was a talented young lady, but unfortunately so excessively drilled it made her plastic and mechanical by the time she got up to read. Once we got Dad out of the room and the girl was allowed to be herself, to just read the lines with an understanding of what the dialog was about, to know her intentions and tell the story from her heart, she was wonderful.

Learn to help your children gently, but give them the freedom to do what they do naturally.

RESEARCH & MARKETING

Watch successful kids on TV, Films and Shows to see what really works. Except for some “over the top” kid shows that have absurdly cute and robotic youngsters, you will find most employed child actors are very real, natural, and believable.

Network and build relationships that interconnect. Go to industry events. Let folks in the business know your child is around and what they are capable of. Promote with mailings of headshots and postcards. Follow up on leads and recommendations. Use the internet for social media and develop a working website for your child. Join other industry related websites like nowcasting.com, Actor’s Access and others to increase visibility. Even successful celebrities must constantly work at marketing. Fame is fleeting at best and public interests change as quickly as the weather. Find opportunities for your son or daughter to be seen and have their name and face recognized. Both parent and child should be known for professionalism, a superior reputation, and for being someone others will want to work with again and again.

Be prepared to go to major entertainment centers such as New York or Los Angeles if you plan for your child to work on main stream shows beyond regional theatre, print work, industrials and local commercials.  However, local work is an excellent training ground and opportunity to build a resume. 

SCAMS & SCHEMES

A good agent or manager is going to be a vital key to the success of any actor. A professional and well connected Agent will have access to auditions and opportunities impossible to pursue otherwise. Agents can have tremendous influence with a network of casting directors, producers, and directors.

HOWEVER, beware of agencies, schools, & organizations that promise to make your child a “Star” for a fee. Legit representation will earn commissions or payments from getting work. Some agencies or casting firms do now ask for an internet fee to put you on websites such as AgencyPro. There are legitimate companies that have this requirement.

No one can guarantee your child work and companies that claim otherwise are being deceptive to get your money. They are not looking out for you or your child. Be cautious of agencies or schools that require you to sign exclusively or use their own photographer for headshots or portfolios. It’s a huge racket. Protect yourself. Be your own advocate. DO YOUR RESEARCH! In this day and age there is no excuse not to search for background information on the internet. Get recommendations & referrals. Do not let your potential excitement at a seemingly “Golden Opportunity” blind you to reality. Some of these scam places will have a certain volume of “real” success stories, but these are minimal and only there to mask the truth and create a false sense of security.

JUPITER ALIGNS WITH MARS

Fate and luck often has more to do with success in this business than anything. Comedienne Kaye Ballard once said opportunity is “Being in the right place at the right time ... but then saying the right thing”! Some people find themselves in situations that can lead to the fast lane seemingly overnight. Others work for years before they are “discovered”, if ever. Above all, learn to enjoy the process and keep a sense of humor. Everything is possible and everyone potentially has the opportunity to succeed. True talent can eventually rise to the top, but your child may still need the planets to be aligned in just the right way. No one can predict what that magic moment will be. Have faith, be inspired and don’t believe everyone who may tell you “no”. Success can happen by just pushing forward against the odds, plus having a support structure of those you trust and whose opinions you respect.

The Gunshot or How To Die In Film With Your Pants Off!

“I don’t want it to look like ALIENS” director Erik Pagan told special effects wizardess Melissa. He was referring to the spurt of blood that was supposed to shoot forth from my chest when I’m blasted at close range by a hand gun. I can’t give the story away, but Matt Servitto and I play opposite each other as two bad cops (or maybe we’re two good cops with issues!). You will soon be able to decide for yourself when short film FAITH is released to a waiting public. Servitto, as many already know, is actor extraordinaire and SOPRANOS regular. “Maybe we should try 150 pumps this time”, Pagan added. Servitto resisted the urge to make a lewd comment, but his raised eyebrow screamed it all from behind his iphone session of WordWarp. He showed me the game which became an obsession for both of us between takes over the course of this shoot.

I was rigged with thick plastic tubing, a blood squib that was supposed to fire on cue powered by high pressure air. Larger budgets would use some form of powder explosive device triggered electronically. This “economical” version proves just as effective, but with less control over the end effect. I was fascinated how it all worked.

The tube is sealed on one end with a small hole drilled into the side, like a flute. It’s then strategically placed over my shoulder and adhered to my chest with gaffer’s tape. This required I shave what little chest hair I have, both to allow the tape to properly stick and to avoid violent pain when the procedure was done and the tape is ripped away. The tape stayed in place, but there was pain.

Filled with fake blood, a nasty sticky fluid, the tube’s drilled hole is packed with shredded foam wadding. The open end of the tube is attached to a trigger activated valve that, when released, blasts high pressure air from the pump. This forces the blood and wadding to shoot out of the hole which is carefully lined up underneath a scored slit in a shirt. The spewing blood looks like a bullet has entered the site. In theory it should all work perfectly, but practical reality is rather tricky.

Now add context of the scene where my character must take in what’s in front of him, turn around, and upon turning react to being shot. Easier said than done. The EFX operator must blow the trigger at precisely the right moment in the staged action. If the director were to call “Bang” (instructing the effect to fire), I may instinctively react to his command too early before the actual blast. I would need to react once the squib blew, not from a verbal cue. We rehearsed the action for the operator and so I could react to the squib. The first take just farted out some of the wadding that looked more like I snorted from my nose (No comment Servitto!) Not the desired effect.

An added complication is that although wardrobe had multiple copies of my shirt and white undershirt, I only had one suit to wear. We still had scenes to shoot that took place chronologically before this moment. The suit had to stay clean and blood would no doubt dribble down below my shirt. As the camera would only see me from above my belt line, I shot the scene without my pants!

For the second try director Pagan wanted a good spurt, but not too much blood. Everything was set, we took our places, “ACTION” was called. I took in the scene in front of me, my back to the camera. The EFX operator was hiding behind a dresser to my left, the blood filled tube leading to my body like a backed up colostomy bag. I turned towards the camera then with a pop the squib fired and I jerked back. I felt a wet spray. “CUT” came the call from the other room “That looked great!”.

A moment later I felt this cold fluid dripping from chest onto my stomach, soaking my briefs then flowing down my leg. As one might have done in real life I looked down to see blood oozing from me. I look up and across the wall are the splattered drops of more blood, looking like a real murder scene! Cameraman Rolf Dekens, sporting a huge grin, has blood splattered on his forehead, cheek, and down his neck. “Oh Man! You really got it” I pointed out, “You want to get a cloth?” But, I think he loved this new battle scar which he wore proudly for the rest of the evening! We shot a couple more takes, trying to perfect the effect, which entailed quite a clean up job and re-setting of all the elements. Playback in the monitor looked very real, so hopefully when all together it will have the impact intended.

Farewell To A Queen

A year ago today, 16th October 2008, a regal lady of the sea took her final bow and made a very emotional farewell departure from the bright lights of New York City. After 39 years of transatlantic crossings and world cruises the elegant Queen Elizabeth 2 blasted her resonant horns for the last time, echoing through the skyscraper caverns of the Big Apple as she sailed down the Hudson River. With an escort of tugs and a fireboat in the lead, her paying off pennant half blowing in the chilly Autumn air, she glided past her younger Cunard sister Queen Mary 2 with hundreds of well wishers waving and cheering.

She then slid past the Statue of Liberty for the last time, recalling memories of so many visits. How many early morning arrivals were there before the break of dawn? An irreversible destiny one last time to catch a current past Miss Liberty, her torch a welcome beacon revered by so many seeking a new life in America. Contemplating the endless romantic sunset departures that marked the beginning of a lifelong dream for so many. To be one of the lucky ones "Crossing the Pond" on one of the truly great ocean liners bound for Southampton, following in the wake of regal liners before her. Never again. One last sigh as she passes beneath the mighty span of the Verrazano Bridge into the great expanse of the Atlantic and dark of night with a lonely bell tolling.

On this day I stood on the front Observation Deck of Queen Mary 2, video camera in hand, capturing the sights and sounds of this exhilarating and desperately moving moment for an upcoming documentary. The end of a legend. History in the making. I knew that for the next few days I would still see QE2 at our side, each day switching from Port to Starboard as she sailed in tandem with us, or should I say us with her. But, for the moment as the sun faded from the sky and the blue grey smoke swept eastward from her classic red and black funnel, it felt as if we would never see this venerable lady again.

New York would bid a final farewell and we would only have a few more days ourselves until a heart wrenching salute, privately, two huge ocean liners alone a few hundred miles off the coast of England. A Mother saying goodbye to a Daughter. Dear friends waving so long with tears in their eyes, heading towards an unknown future, never to meet again.

We say farewell Great Queen with love, respect, and thanks for your journeys, leaving memories that will never fade.

Three Queens - An International Rendezvous

New Teaser Trailer for MR OCEAN LINER Documentary!

Stop the presses! Hot off the line! Here is a sneak preview Teaser Trailer from the upcoming Documentary MR OCEAN LINER, The Life And Times Of Bill Miller! Enjoy!

Back From The High Seas

Back from a spectacular three weeks on the High Seas and in the UK both Lecturing and filming the one and only Bill Miller in action for MR. OCEAN LINER. Week One was primarily spent on board the Queen Mary 2 from NY to Southampton. Excellent interviews with Commodore Bernard Warner, Chief Purser Jonathan Leavor & Assistant Entertainment Director Amanda Reid, all of whom have known Bill for many years. Each provided new insights into the dynamic personality and vibrant aura that is Mr. Miller. Jackie Chase, Cunard Line Public Relations Manager & Laurel Davis, PR Coordinator were on board and provided magnificent assistance arranging schedules and locations. Other filming included fun cutaway shots of Bill walking about the majestic Queen Mary 2 as well as a series of several of his live lectures in Illuminations, a wonderful art deco theatre on QM2. All this was shot in between delivering my own series of talks for Cunard Insights and DVD signings!

Once in the United Kingdom for Week Two I took a train up to Shrewsbury in Shropshire to interview Howard Franklin, a dear friend of Bill's for over 30 years. Howard is also a shipboard lecturer on subjects of Royalty and Design and was personal florist to Princess Diana and the Queen Mother. The evening included a special birthday bash for Howard given in a country estate with over 70 of his closest friends who also constitute the top of Shropshire society. Quite a spectacular event and really lovely people.

After a couple days in London & Portsmouth to catch up with several dear friends, it was back across the Pond for Week Three, this time on Queen Victoria. This voyage was busier than the outbound with multiple interviews that included Captain Ian McNaught, who was final Captain in command of the Queen Elizabeth 2 as she made her way to Dubai. Other fine subjects with Bill Miller stories to share for the camera included Singer Paul Ritchie, Entertainment Director and author of the "We Are Cunard" blog Alastair Greener, ship's Doctor Martin Carroll, and the one and only Thomas Quinones, best known for his vibrant and dramatic Heritage Tours on board QE2.

A great deal of time was also spent transferring video images from tape to computer hard drive so that I had an immediate back up and could also start initial editing. I could not resist capturing footage of Queen Victoria herself, quite a beautiful and comfortable liner.

We still have much more to film with several interviews coming up over the next few months with more graphic work and image scanning as well. Using a still frame from on board Queen Mary 2 we now have a mock "Poster" as a teaser that is now a marker for the project website now open www.MrOceanLiner.com. Not much there as yet, but more images and an initial video trailer to be added soon! More details to follow....

Mr. Ocean Liner

I was warned by friends that once I started a blog I'd post a few times then get too busy to keep it up on a regular basis. I thought, "No, I can do this...". Well, clearly it's been a while since I've posted anything. Life keeps all of us running around and it's hard to find time to sit down and actually write about it. Too busy living and doing to stop and keep up a journal, let alone to regularly keep up my "status" on Facebook. I don't know how people do it. I know I should just set aside a time each day to make an entry, but easier said than done!

A new adventure is underway that I'll try and share as I can. In a nutshell, the one and only Bill Miller, otherwise officially known as Maritime Historian and Author William H. Miller, Jr.

(www.BillMillerAtSea.com) or more aptly as "Mr. Ocean Liner", has asked me if I would produce a documentary of his life. He had seen my DVD "Three Queens An International Rendezvous" and liked the personal feel, rather than a large Busby Berkeley production. With new HD video equipment, professional editing with Final Cut Pro and a fantastic replication company that does DVD/Box design & shrink wrap, it's now possible on a small independent scale to produce a first class product.

Over the next several months I will be following Bill around with a camera, taping interviews and lectures, special events, Bill's friends and family old and new, as well as scanning 100's of fabulous photographs and models. We started last week in Manhattan at the Southstreet Seaport Museum and will be embarking shortly on a transatlantic adventure sailing both the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria. Like the rehearsal process in theatre, it is the creative process of exploring possibilities and putting it all together and that I find the most exciting. It's a blank canvas and anything can happen! More to follow....