Helpful Hints... Hopefully...

I was asked quite a bit this past weekend on 'suggestions' on what parents could do for their kids to get them started in "the business". This is only high level, but is basic and applies to everyone no matter age or even cast/crew (for the most part).

1) Whatever their "working name" is- you have to own the url. If you are not savvy enough to create a basic web-site yourself, point it to a blog (www.DonaldEReynolds.com points here.) or to an IMDb page (www.TedSouppa.com points to his.) You can buy a url with all sorts of bells and whistles for about $20 at godaddy, or less if you don't want some of the additional services that they offer.

2a) Whether they are actually listed in IMDb or not- pay for the IMDbPro account. You can have a resume and 100 photos. The resume is important, especially for those that have modeling and theatre backgrounds.

2b) Look for IMDb jobs. Short films may not offer much more than snacks and IMDb credit. But these are resume builders and you get to see how different sets work. Watch, listen and learn. AND make contacts.

3) Have headshots with resumes, comp cards/business cards with you AT ALL TIMES. One of my producers does her own shoots AND works a day job that she does castings for. If we only have 1 headshot, only 1 of us gets it. If you have multiples, anyone and everyone can have a copy.

4) Reels. One of the great new things about the IMDbPro account is that you can have a demo reel that anyone can see. Every actor, and most other positions, need a reel. Again, this is especially true of people that have worked in theatre or commercials.

There was one girl that was on my set recently. Very cute young teen, her headshot wasn't bad, but she had prominent parts in nearly a dozen musicals (only a couple school, mostly local county plays) and even though her parents were recording her performances, no one had thought to make a reel or do anything with them. Lots of kids are cute. Some kids are even nice and well behaved (she was). What makes your kid or you stand out?

YOU need to distinguish yourself. For the most part, you are the ONLY one looking out for yourself. You ARE your brand. If this is something that you want to do. Then you need to realize that this IS a business. You need to think long term and invest in yourself and future.

Don.