GETTING STARTED
How Do I Get My Child Into Acting?
A Former Hollywood Talent Agent Explains
BY JENN BOYCE
FORMER HOLLYWOOD TALENT AGENT & FOUNDER OF THE HOLLYWOOD PREP
If your child has caught the acting bug, chances are you're excited for them...and also thinking, "Okay, now what do I do?" Maybe you've already started Googling, asking other parents, watching videos or looking at acting classes. And before you know it, you're down the rabbit hole and somehow have more questions than when you started. 😂
Do they need acting classes? Should I get headshots?
Do we need an Agent?
Are we already behind?
And how do I know I'm not wasting money or making a decision that could hurt them later?
Trust me, I get it.
Parents come to me all the time worried that they're going to do something wrong or miss an opportunity for their child. There is so much information out there—and unfortunately, plenty of bad information too—that it's really easy to start overthinking every decision.
Here's what I want you to know...
You don't have to do everything at once. And you definitely don't have to have it all figured out today.
After spending more than 30 years as a Hollywood Talent Agent, I can tell you that one of the biggest mistakes I saw families make was rushing because they thought they were supposed to be doing everything right away.
You're not.
Every child is different. A four-year-old who's outgoing, playful and will talk to anyone is starting from a very different place than a fourteen-year-old who suddenly decides they want to pursue acting seriously.
That's why there isn't one perfect roadmap that works for every child.
There is, however, a smart way to get started.
That's what I want to help you understand in this guide—what matters, what can wait, what I looked for as a Talent Agent, and how to make confident decisions without making yourself crazy in the process.
Because ultimately, my philosophy is pretty simple:
Jenn's
Take
Give them every reason to say YES and no reason to say NO.
Let’s get started.
Who Is This Guide For?
This guide is for you if:
Your child keeps telling you they want to be an actor and you have no idea what to do next.
You're wondering whether your child is actually ready to start acting professionally
You're getting conflicting advice and don't know who to listen to.
You're worried about spending money on things your child doesn't really need.
You want to avoid scams and costly mistakes.
You don't live in Los Angeles and are wondering whether your child can still pursue acting.
You simply want to understand how this business really works before jumping in.
If you're nodding your head to any of those, you're exactly where you need to be. 😉
By the End of This Guide, You'll Know...
By the time we're done, you'll have a much better understanding of:
→ What the first step should be when your child says they want to act.
→ What qualities can make a child a good fit for this industry.
→ What age children can start acting and how expectations change as they get older.
→ When acting classes matter-and when they may not yet.
→ Whether your child can get started without professional experience.
→ Whether you need to live in Los Angeles to pursue acting.
→ What you really need before spending money on things like professional headshots.
→ What your next step should be based on where your child is right now.
Most importantly, I hope you'll walk away feeling a little less overwhelmed and a lot more confident about this journey.
KEEP EXPLORING
Ready for the next step?
→ What's the First Step If My Child Wants to Become an Actor?
→ What Age Should Kids Start Acting?
→ Does My Child Need Acting Classes to Become an Actor?
→ 5 Common Myths About Child Acting
→ What Should I Do Next?