Chances are, if you’re reading this, your child has told you unequivocally that they desire to become a young actor at some point. Or perhaps you thought to yourself, “My child could do that!” “as you watched Home Alone for the hundredth time,” as you watched Home Alone. Now your mind is filled with questions such as, “How do they get young performers to act?”
The most crucial topic, and one that few people discuss, is, “What is the best age to begin acting?” Evidently, children differ in every conceivable manner. They appear different (with the exception of identical twins, of course), behave differently, and, most significantly, have quite different personalities.
This means that what is effective for one youngster may not be effective for another. For instance, while we have received several kids who are ideal for the sector, we have received just as many, if not more, who are unsuitable. Or, to put it more precisely, they are not yet prepared. So how can you determine if they are prepared? Ask yourself a couple questions:
- Does your youngster enjoy acting out or imitating the voices of their favorite television characters?
- When playing, do they frequently assume the roles of their toys’ characters?
- Do kids enjoy singing or performing their favorite songs or movie sequences when you have guests?
- Are they extremely enthusiastic about participating in the school play?
- Do they enjoy being the center of attention?
Regardless of your child’s age, if they answered “yes” to any of the above questions, there is a potential that they may be ready to at least test the waters of child acting.
Just keep in mind that the urge to act does not necessarily equate to expertise or suitability. This is why organizations like ours will spend some time getting to understand a youngster before deciding whether or not to represent them. As stated previously, sometimes a child is not yet prepared. Because now you know how to recognize the telltale symptoms of a possible child actor, let’s examine some acting basics for children of all ages.
Acting For Kids and Teens
Age 0 – 4
There is a vast gap here between newborn and a four-year-old toddler, making this the most challenging age group to provide advice to.
For baby performing and baby modeling, your child must have a good demeanor and be able to be carried without crying by other adults.
Age 5 – 7
At this age, youngsters are far more conscious of the notion that they are youngsters acting. Typically, kids are able to comprehend the concept of acting and are aware of the necessity to be respectful on set.
Age 8 – 11
This is among the finest times to begin acting, as children at this age are typically better at memorizing lines and more focused with repetition. This age group is often simpler to work with, hence children in this age range will occasionally play roles that are younger than their real age.
Age 12 – 15
This is a significant stage in your child’s growth, as they endure several physical changes. They are growing taller, and perhaps their voices are also changing. However, this does not imply that they will be without job. There are a variety of chances for young teenagers in film and television.
Age 16 – 18
As your adolescent is now nearly an adult, this will be one of the simplest groups to manage. Nevertheless, this may be a challenging time for teen actors who wish to be recognized as adults and to perform as often as they choose. Additionally, they may like to dress more like adults, although in certain instances this may actually hurt their chances.
To learn more about acting classes for kids and teens, contact us now.