What parents of young actors should know about commercial technique

by Patricia Tallman

with Casting Director Francene Selkirk- Ackerman

(Reprinted from Casting Networks Newsletter, April 2008)

In the past three years of being in business at Talent To Go, my business partner, Judy Kain, and I have met dozens of young actors and their families. Some are based here in Los Angeles, but many travel from all over the country to be here for pilot season, to give their young performers a chance at living their dream. We have talked to these parents a great deal, listening and sharing any information that could be helpful from headshot photographers that give discounts to the best place to hang out in Sherman Oaks. I see the effort these parents are putting in, and what the young actors are willing to take on to have a chance at getting that golden opportunity. We try to help any way we can.

Francene Selkirk works with actors of all types and ages. I have noticed she has a particular affinity for guiding young actors through the techniques of auditioning for commercials, handling copy, and staying fresh and natural in the room. I asked her for some key points and tips for helping young actors and their parents.

Francene: One never knows where the desire to be in the business comes from. Hopefully it comes from the child. Because then they’ll have more joy in the learning process. Maybe they have had some experience in their schools, in plays, and found the love of the acting bug.

Pat: What are some of the pitfalls parents should be aware of?

Francene: This is one of my pet peeves. Parents are not aware that if they work on dialogue with the child so much, the child will do the reading like the parent. The kids come in and they say the copy exactly like the parents have taught them to say it. Then they are stuck! They can’t unlearn it and say it any other way! The parents have done their kids a great disservice. Kids can learn to memorize without learning the inflection. That’s a key for any actor to stay fresh.

It’s better for the kids not to know the words so well, so we can have the essence of the child.

Pat: That’s what you want from kids, isn’t it? Their naturalness?

Francene: Yes. And we don’t want the kids all dressed up like at a beauty pageant. We want a really normal and natural kid. Whatever it is that they look like. We are not talking about models. We are talking about kids who want to be in commercials and television. They and their parents must know who they are. If they are quirky, that’s good! If they are a red-headed, freckled kid, that’s a great thing. There is so much room for all types of children in this business. You have to know if they are ready for it. Are they too young for this business? If your kid is all over the place and can’t concentrate, they might not be ready. We have had parents who put their rather wild kid in our class thinking it will relax them. There is a lot of responsibility in an acting class. There is a certain amount of play, and a certain amount of concentration that’s needed. If the child really wants it, they will find a way to focus. We want them to enjoy it. We don’t want to put them through a terrible experience! We want them to learn how to use their natural talent and be the best that they can.

Pat: In your kids and teens classes, you put them through a little mock audition, right?

Francene: Yes, and we do it a few times. Each time, I give them another layer to add on to it. We teach them how to slate, and they do it every time so they really feel comfortable about themselves. Everything they learn, each step, we add to the process so they build with the tools they learn and it becomes second nature and very relaxed. That’s the key. Relaxed and natural! That’s what’s working in commercials these days, you know? Real, natural, and sometimes slightly quirky.

Sometimes a director will talk to them on camera, and ask them questions about themselves. We want to get the kids comfortable improvising. When it comes to the scene, we teach them how to ask themselves questions: Where am I? Who am I talking to? That’s really big in our classes. What do I want?

We do this in the adult classes too. Actors get so excited, they forget all the work the minute they are in the room with the director and the casting director. The work is: Be Grounded! Do the best you can. Who am I talking to on camera? Is it my mom? Is it my best friend? Even in your head say the name of that person before you start your scene. And slow down! Usually, the kids like to speed up. There is so much more I could say on this topic, but I won’t get into it right now.

It’s about having the child learn how to focus, and have a good time!