Conference moira::parenting_v3

    No personal experience, but I've heard that the Cameo agency is the
    only game in (Bean-)town.  They have "cattle calls" for specific age
    ranges (they have an info-packed recording on their answering machine),
    and you do NOT need to take photos with you.  I think the auditions are
    during weekdays, though  :'(
    
    And I'd be VERY wary of any agency that wants $$ up front.
    
    Leslie

    
    I called Cameo a few months back and they were only taking 3 - 6 month
    olds...
    
    There is also a place called Little Angels (?)  They will only accept
    kids AFTER you pay $25 to their screening agency.
    
    

    I have a 4 year old who loves to pose and have her picture taken
    (very photogenic).  Does anyone know of any angencie in the
    Springfield/Hartford areas?
    
    Thanks,
    Denise

    Try Karon Shea at La Femina in Worcester.  She knows the field and I
    find her to be trustworthy.  I don't know if her agency works with
    small children, but she would have some info.
    
    There are some sharks, as in any field, so trust your instincts.
    
    Judi
    

    My little Niece is a Cameo Kid.  She paid 300 hundred dollars for a
    black and white portfolio (3 pictures on a card) 150 copies...They
    sent these pictures off to all over.  A few of the leads they sent
    my sister on were Jordan Marsh, Ames, and New York Kids Fashions.
    She got 4 jobs out of the deal paying $50.00 ea.  They were mid
    week jobs however and she had to go to Jordan's in Boston, and had
    to be in Wakefield for the New York Fashions job...  Then they may
    request certain things like white sneakers - or buy a christmas
    dress - so she found as nice as it was to open a catalog and see
    her - she did have to buy some items before they were needed.  She did
    go for an audition for Flower's in the Attic - and they didn't chose
    my little niece - also she had other auditions that either the close
    didn't fit her well and they sent her home!!  That happened at least 5
    times.... 
    
    My little niece started out going to a fashion show at a Holiday Inn in
    Tewksbury...  Of course there she won most photogenic and Cameo Kids
    were right there with their sales pitch..  

    My sister's son was a model for awile.  When he was six months he
    did a TableTalk pie add and then did several commericals for Purity
    Supreme and BancBoston.  
    
    It was fun at first but my sister found it very time consuming and 
    not worth the money in the long run.  Like .-1 says, they went to 
    many auditions where she would have to take time out of work to go 
    to the studios in Boston (and such).  Sometimes they would have to 
    sit for hours - only to be told he wasn't right for the part and sent 
    home.  My nephew tired of the whole deal pretty quickly too.
    
    She said they really don't pay well because there is an abundance
    of child models.                                             
    
    -ali

    
    My daughter, 5 at the time, couldn't wait.  Yes, she wanted to do this. 
    My opinion was if it cost, forget it.  Yes, we went to cameo and they
    wanted $400 for photos, printing, etc.  I decided to do the photos
    locally and use a printer I knew. The investment was $150, not $400. 
    Strange, huh?  Also, she never got called but we learnt alot about the
    modelling business and such.  Feel free to call me if you are really
    serious.  Remeber one thing, its a hit or miss thing.  Some kids make
    it, some don't and most of it is luck.
    
    gog
    

    I would think that being the right place at the right time, luck, AND
    having a kid that is good looking would be the factors. Look at the ads
    in the magazines and TV, have you EVER seen a kid that wasn't letter
    perfect in appearance?  I suppose its a form of discrimination?  

    Well, being in the business where we occasionally hire child models, as
    well as adults, believe me lighting and makeup can do MIRACLES!!
    
    Some of the people I have hired (mostly adults really) I don't even
    recognize from their picture (head sheet) in real life.  It's a matter
    of the right makeup, good lighting by the photographer, and being
    photogenic - which doesn't necessarily mean pretty in real life.  Some
    peoples features photographic better than others.  You can't always
    tell who will look good on camera from the way they look in the flesh!!
    8*0
    
    

    RE: .9
    
    Being in the business?  Explain!  Where do "we" occasionally use
    children, or do you have something on the side?
    
    
    	Pam

    Digital has a Media Group, of which I am a member, that has occasion to
    hire talent.  We use agencies in the Boston area when we have a need
    for actors/actresses/models.  Surely you must have seen some
    literature/videotapes produced by DEC.  Often these pieces of media use
    models in some way in them.
    
    

    My daughter just graduated from Barbizon Modeling School in June.  It
    IS very expensive and time consuming.  But I think all of the things
    that kids get interested (such as soccer, football, karate, etc..) can
    be quite expensive and they do take quite a bit of comittment from both
    the child and parents.  It just so happened that my daughters interests
    are in that area instead of sports.  She had a lot of fun learning how
    to do commercials.  It has also helped her to become less shy in front of
    other people.  Her graduation was a real fashion show and it was
    wonderful to see her up on stage and enjoying every minute of it.  The
    portfolio is going to cost about $300.00.  She'll get 3  8x10 color
    photos and 250 black and white postcards.  I'm told that this will need
    to be kept current as kids this age (shes 9) change in their looks so
    much from year to year.  Right now I'm just trying to learn everything
    about it.  We aren't trying to rush into it just to make money, she's
    doing this because she loves it.  If anyone has any helpful suggestions
    please let me know as we are very new to this.
    
    regards,
    
    Lynne C.
    
    

    re .12
    
    Lynne,
    
    If there are any theatre programs at your daughter's school or in the
    community, it would help her further develop the social skills she
    learned at modelling school.
    
    I will be forever grateful to my high school theatre teacher.  I
    learned all about what goes on behind the scenes and was able to find
    "little victories" for myself.  It certainly helped me cope with high
    school.
    
    Judi
    

    Has anyone heard of Little Rascals Talent Directory?  They are
    interviewing locally now for kids.  Any information on how reputable
    they are would be appreciated.
    
    

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Tracey
Parenting co-mod 

    RE: .14  (Rascals Talent Directory)
    
    Call the BBB in PA.  This is where Rascals has their Headquarters.  The
    number for the BBB in PA is: 412-456-2700.
    
    I called and they played a tape regarding Rascals Talent Directory.  I
    found it to be very informative.  My daughter is going to be published 
    in the next issue.
    
    As long as you know that they can't guarantee work, they're
    service is JUST to provide a space in the directory and to screen
    potential employers.  They're not an agency.
    
    My personal opinion of this 'directory' is that it provides very high
    visibility for the child.  However, like any modeling, it's very
    cometitive, so be prepared for 'let downs' occasionally.
    
    Hope this helps,
    Pam
    

    Does anyone know anything about the FORD Model Management agency in 
    Boston? They have a new baby division called FORD Compacts. My 
    sister was talking to them yesterday, but doesn't know anything about
    them. Please send me mail if there's something you can't put in here.
    

    I spoke with someone today at Ford Modeling Agency in Boston.  She told
    me she gets at least 40 letters PER DAY with children's pictures in them.
    
    What competition!!  Although I heard that they don't always choose by 
    looks, they go by "the look" for the specific product they are trying
    to sell.  
    
    Pam