Acting Resources for DC, Maryland and Virginia
Here’s what I know about the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) child acting market. It’s not a super busy place for child actors (at least my girls ages 2-5) but there seems to be a lot of modeling opportunities for the elementary crowd. From what I understand (again this is based on my own research & experiences) local agents and managers get kids started and then reach out to agencies they have relationships with in larger markets and shuttle kids their way for interviews and representation when ready. After finding this out I decided to skip local representation because I was already emerged in this market personally and felt like I saw most opportunities for kids. I wanted more regular opportunities for O so I started looking in the NY market. Additionally, we decided not to sign with anyone for print work because it’s a lot of back and forth on “go-sees”, which are basically auditions for modeling or print and I do have a day job so I am limited to days I can take off for auditions. Lame, I know.
As far as our luck locally last year O was cast in one big YMCA commercial through Betsy Royal and one Magic Marker commercial through Look Models and Actors Agency (prior to signing with her NY agent). She auditioned in person and attended a callback for the YMCA, we self taped for Magic Marker.
O also (locally) shot two big commercial print campaigns last year through Betsy Royal, one for M&T Bank and the other for Kwikset Hardware. These were cast of headshots and recent selfies so no audition, soooo nice!
O was cast in three separate Investigation Discovery television episodes from self submissions through the Dragonuk Connects link provided below.
Point is, there are some opportunities in this market if you know where to look. And to be cast off headshot and resume is always awesome. And 100% seeing your kid’s mug on the front door of your local bank is pretty freaking cool, in my humble opinion.
The Secret DMV Sauce – Dragonuk Connects
http://www.dragonukconnects.com/home.php
Dragonuk Connects is like the DMV area go-to website for casting notices. You can sign up free and receive an email breakdown daily. Then you self submit to the person who posted the casting.
Sample email I just received…
|
Click on the heading of one of the postings below to see the full ad. Don’t forget to Login. New Jobs in the JOBS CENTER: To see all the Job Postings, CLICK HERE TALENT (On-Camera): Casting Notice for Series Pilot (Union Non Union). Many roles for M&F, 15-70s. Paid. Union (SAG) and Non-Union may submit. See Character Breakdowns. Grey Gngel Journals is a supernatural thriller integrating themes of spirituality, quantum physics and religion into an epic journey of love, loss, redemption and discovery. DMV Commercial/Caucasian Male Female look 30-early 40 ish. Commercial/Law Firm, Non-Union. Must be comfortable speaking on camera. No accents…Come off like real person testimonial. Shoot date Baltimore, This Sunday March 20. Should be 1-2 hours. You will be paid on set. $75.00 per hour planning on 2 hours, $150.00. –Caucasian Female- look 30- early 40 ish to 45 –Caucasian Male- look 30 – early 40 ish to 45 Baltimore, Maryland AA Males Needed for Lead and Featured Roles for TV One Series! Sirens Media is casting the following lead and featured roles for a true crime series for TV One. –Roosevelt – AA Male (25-35) Tall (5’11-6’2), dark and handsome –Uncle Joe – AA Male (48-55), average height, average weight/fit Shooting dates are April 12-15. MD/DC/VA Look Models & Actors Agency / CASTING WOMEN AGES 30s TO LATE 50S FOR SKINCARE LINE SOLD ON QVC. We are looking for women meeting the following criterion: Dehydration wrinkles and fine lines around the eye area (we are not looking for deep wrinkles). Slight darkness around the eye area is ok. Needed for 1 hour of shooting (late morning OR afternoon) on 4/6, 4/13 & 5/4. MUST be willing to stop using any skincare products on face for the duration of the progressional. Rate is $125 per visit to QVC. Philadelphia PA area Betsy Royall Casting, and Taylor Royall casting / Hispanic talent and families 4 yrs old – 80s. Betsy Royall casting, csa and Taylor Royall casting. Commercial spot for a restaurant. Casting tomorrow (Thursday) at our studio. Shoots: April 6. Hispanic talent and families 4 yrs old – 80s. Pay: great pay! Baltimore MD Special Casting 500.00 Per Day Plus Agency. –Casting for young girl: authentic Korean & Japanese –Looking for 2 models: beautiful Korean girl age 12-15 yr old, & a beautiful 12 yr old Japanese girl for a book cover shoot in NYC in next 2 weeks. $500 + agency. |
****Please beware!! Be safe and use common sense when auditioning, I know it’s difficult because everyone gets excited when they get a confirmation of an audition. But seriously, especially if your dragging your kid out for the audition to a place you have never been, to meet a total stranger or possibly ten strangers… I don’t honestly know how well these postings are screened, if at all. So bring a chaperon ladies and maybe a taser or something for good measure.
This was a real “casting office” for an ABC television series. Trash bags taped over the windows people. Who does this?
Look at my face in the picture below you can tell I was like, It’s entirely possible I might get chopped up in little pieces today at this audition. I didn’t though, in case you were wondering.
Bottom Line. Be smart. If it feels wrong, it is wrong and walk the F out of there STAT. I have done that once, and it was very HARD. BUT SAFETY FIRST. ALWAYS.
Ok, lecture over.
Casting Directors
The following are a few local casting directors; your child can audition for some of them to be included in their personal talent databases(*). Once you submit your child’s material to them through their website you will be invited to come to an open call, or in for a scheduled audition. If they think they can get your child work they will contact you with paperwork and then list your child in their principal in-house database. You will get direct invitations for auditions through email. YAY! To be honest don’t know what age they will include a child in their database, you will have to figure that out on your own. My guess is teen aged kids but when they need anyone young I do see postings on Dragonuk anyway, or at least someone posts it for them.
*Arvold (VA) – http://arvoldcasting.com/
*Carlyn Davis (VA) – http://www.carlyndaviscasting.com/front.php
*Betsy Royall (MD) – http://www.betsycasting.com/
Pat Moran (MD) – http://www.patmoranandassociates.com/
*Studio Center (VA) – https://studiocenter.com/
Kimberly Skyme (MD) – http://kimberlyskyrmecasting.com/index.html
Anne Chapman (VA) – http://www.annechapmancasting.com/
Managers
Camera Ready Kids – http://www.camerareadykids.com/
Cima Talent – http://cimatalent.com/
Linda Townsend – http://www.lindatownsendmgmt.com/
I can personally vouch for Cima Talent, they represent me and get me work, they also know about my child and offer auditions when appropriate. They have also helped develop tons of girls I know personally with very successful modeling careers.
I know people who have worked with Linda Townsend and when we go to local kid auditions I see Camera Ready listed as representation so they get kids work, I just don’t know how much work and if it is more than a parent could do on their own.
Agency’s
Hutson Talent Agency (VA) – http://www.hutsontalentagency.com/
Look Model & Actors Agency (PA) – http://www.lookmodelsandactors.com/Home.aspx
Click Model Management (PA) – http://clickmodel.com/
I know lots of moms whose kids work regularly with Click.
If I missed anything please feel free to reach out and I can certainly add to the list.
Let me know if this was helpful? Yay or Nay? Email or leave a comment below! Thanks!!