It’s no secret that working in the entertainment industry is the ultimate rollercoaster. Soaring highs and crashing lows are part of working as a model or actor. As adults we have (mostly) come to grips with life’s twists and turns, and can take a bit of rejection and disappointment on the chin, but how do we manage this when it comes to children?

Every day we have kids at castings, they’ll be with mum or dad and filled with hope and a little bit of nerves, and maybe some unrealistic expectations. For a lot of kids this might be their first ever casting, so of course they are not going to know what to expect. They will then pop into the studio to meet with an unfamiliar face (or a few!), and be asked questions and may be prompted to read a script or act something out for the casting director. It will all be over in the blink of an eye, and then the waiting game begins.

When facing the prospect of rejection, we can work together as parents and agency to equip kids with the tools to be resilient and bounce back from being let down.

Most experienced actors and models will be able to manage their expectations professionally, and not allow their thoughts and desires to run away with them. While they would LOVE to book that job, they know that it is anyone’s game!  So how do we teach this wisdom to children?

A lot of this will come with experience, and the best way to show your child the in’s and out’s of the industry is talking to them about what to expect (you can get this info from your agent). This will then set them up with the right expectations, from the get go.

It is important to explain to your children how the industry works and be totally honest, tell them that even if they attend the audition that there’s no guarantee that they will get the job. All they can do is try their best and have fun!

Kids should treat each experience whether it be an audition, casting, callback, wardrobe fitting or shoot as a fun and enjoyable activity, and not place the focus on booking the job.

Bianca, our National Talent Manager, shared some great wisdom with us;

“Being requested for a casting is a huge achievement in itself.  This means that your child has been shortlisted out of possibly hundreds of kids, for an in-person meeting with the director, stylist or casting agent.  Being “seen” in this industry is always valuable – booking the job is a bonus!

Castings & auditions should be seen as a fun learning experience!  Any opportunity to attend a casting can only help your child be more prepared & confident for the next one. Plus, the casting agencies will often keep your child’s details on file & may request to meet them for another potential job in the future.”

With each casting your child attends, they will grow more confident and comfortable with not only general entertainment processes and environments, but they will also be more at ease within themselves.

Castings and auditions can be great fun for kids and it’s important to set them up with the right expectations so the experience stays a positive one. Regardless of whether or not they get the job, attending castings is a great achievement and a big step in the direction of your child building a successful portfolio and career.

We want to keep our kids interested in the industry and motivated to keep trying even when it doesn’t eventuate to a booking, so make sure to have fun!