Q&A for How to Become a Kid Movie Star

A good headshot should show off your look and your personality. When you're younger, it's best to dress like a kid and focus on a friendly, smiling expression. If you have a little more of a reserved personality, it's okay to take a slightly more serious headshot, but keep in mind that generally, the industry has more opportunities for friendly, fun, smiling kids. Think bright backgrounds, vertical shot, and genuine, fun smiles.

Begin by improving your acting skills through drama classes and drama club. Also, get singing and dance classes because Disney expects a well-rounded performer. Consider entering talent contests to improve your experience and to get feedback. Then, prepare a portfolio of your acting career to date and all your talents. Once you’ve done these things, you can begin considering auditioning for Disney; it is especially helpful to have an agent and to be in or near Los Angeles. For full details on what to do, see How to Become a Disney Channel Star.

Anyone can try acting. However, not everyone is going to be a good actor or comfortable with performing on stage or screen. If you’re interested in giving acting a go, get into some school or church or community plays to get a feel for what it’s like and to see if you enjoy it. If you’re truly passionate about acting, do everything you can to improve your acting skills, your performance presence and your talents so you can improve your acting strengths.

Start by doing some performance classes locally, with a drama school or similar organization. Your school might even have classes you can join, either as part of the curriculum or as an elective. Read plays and scripts at home and practice them a lot to gain confidence, including trying different voices and trying to be other characters. Go to auditions that seem to have roles you are likely to be a good fit for; there are often roles for inexperienced people if you happen to be the "right fit" and there are plenty of actors who got their break this way. Keep trying and keep doing auditions––you have to get used to rejections as a big part of finally getting a role!

Kid actors are often schooled on set during film shoots, especially if they are a major part of the movie or production. Many kid actors go to a regular school when not filming, others are homeschooled or schooled by distance education. Some may have personal tutors who can keep them updated with their local school area’s curriculum wherever they are in the world. There is also a Professional Children’s School in the United States, which mixes standard subjects like math and English with performing arts subjects.

Hollywood is all about movies, so you’ll be looking to be a movie actor. Start with improving your acting talents by taking classes and being in plays, etc. Then, get involved in the movie industry as much as possible, such as being an extra, going to casting calls and even doing non-acting roles within the movie industry. Consider moving to Los Angeles if you’re really serious, so you can be there for all audition and other movie job opportunities, and network as much as possible with people in the industry. More help can be found in these wikiHows: How to Be a Movie Star, How to Make It in Hollywood and How to Get a Job as an Actor.

It might be a good idea to do some plays at school first, and ask your parents to come along and see you acting in them. After you’ve shown them your passion for acting, have a talk with them about how much you love it; you could even ask them what they thought of your performance and if they think you’d make a good actor. Then let them know you’re thinking of becoming an actor and want to take drama classes and join drama club to help you improve your acting skills. If you’re worried they won’t think it’s a serious job, you can suggest a college degree that includes drama, so that you have a qualification as well.

It depends on how much work you get and how popular the shows/movies/etc. that you appear in are with audiences. Most likely the more you work, the more likely you will be to have your fame continue as you get older.

You don't necessarily need to take lessons. Practice in the mirror and/or join the drama club at school and ask for help from the teacher in charge of the club.

Let your mind wander--don't over think the audition. Relax. Sometimes just drooping your shoulders can help.

Send in tapes to the casting director's email, if it is enclosed or requested. Talk to the producers and let them know the situation. If they are not looking for self tapes, that might have not been the role for you.

No, you should definitely stay in school. Actors don't always have the easiest time finding jobs, so it's a good idea to have a plan B career in the event that acting falls through. Also, you can get tons of acting experience in school by joining your school's acting club or theater program.

You can sign up with an agency to get auditions. At the audition you can expect to do a script and tell the director or judge about yourself.

Before you start trying to convince your parents to move, take some classes, take part in some shows, and find some auditions near you. If your parents see that you are really committed and think that it is the best option to take you to California, then they will.

Not necessarily, but it is a good idea. Any experience is good experience and smaller plays, such as school plays, are still better than nothing. The practice will improve your acting skills.

You can make a video on Vine or on YouTube. Ask your parents before making a video. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable, such as singing or dancing.

It could take you anywhere from a few months to a few years. Be patient, hold your head up, and never give up!

Get them to sit down and calmly explain your dream. Be very detailed and say what kind of movies or plays you want to be in.

Join local community plays or school plays, watch a lot of Broadway performances, and record videos of yourself practicing famous scenes to critique your performance.

See if you can get on a West End production. You never know who could be in the audience.

You should either improvise, or wait for someone to pick up your line. Sometimes the director will ask you to start the scene over again.

Try acting and doing auditions, and only if the time comes that you need to go there for a movie or TV show, try selling some things. Save up with pocket money, or have yard sales.

Try acting with a few close friends. If you are good enough, you may get your parents interested in your skill.

Try and tell them that this is something you want to do, and be reasonable. if you can't get through to them that way then try showing them how much you want it.

You are never too young to be an actor as long as you believe in yourself and make the fantasy possible. And, if you are worried, just know there are probably 100’s of people thinking that and they got your back

Look for other ways to get publicity. Social media may help with this, or organize a talent show you will be in.

Most movies are made in or around Hollywood in California, so that is where you would want to go to attend auditions.

Home schooling is a great option, but don't rule out regular school either. It will take time to get to that stage but keep working and you will get there.

Check out the helpful tips in this article about how to become a Nickelodeon star on wikiHow.

Definitely not. You can do a taped audition, but not every director is going to accept that. Usually you have to go in and meet them. And you certainly can't shoot a movie at your house. You'll probably have to wait until you're old enough to decide these things for yourself.