LIGHTS! CAMERA! KIDS!

How to get your child into Commercials

Children of all ages and ethic and social background are in constant demand for TV commercials. A third of all commercials on TV feature kids… and they earn over $30 Million dollars a year. The areas in the entertain- ment field that require kids are endless. In addition to film, TV and commercial roles, there is an ever-present need for screen extras, models, printwork, industrials, and theatre plays.

The market for child actors has escalated to a point where children now command a large percentage of acting roles and receive substantial fees for television, film and commercials. Industry surveys report that parts for young actors in all areas of the entertainment field have increased each year by as much as 20-25%. Kids are garnering more screen time and progressively higher salaries and residuals for their on-camera work.

Children in the Screen Actor's Guild number well over 15,000 members, with a combined income from residuals for film, TV and commercials totaling upwards of $70 million dollars. Of any actor demographic, children have the highest growth potential.

The national surveys report that non-union child actors in the major markets in the United States number well over 40,000, a conservative estimate. The two major markets, Hollywood and New York, each have over 400 children's talent agencies, each with an average clientele of 300 youngsters. The lesser markets, such as Atlanta, Miami, Dallas and Chicago also contain hundreds of agencies devoted to children being seen by these agents and signed.

In almost every part of the country, children are being seen in beauty pageants, school plays, community theatre, dance recitals and sports competitions. As these children are exposed to the exciting world of entertainment, the need for a videotape such as LIGHTS! CAMERA! KIDS! becomes an important tool them and their parents.