My 7 year old son is going for an audition....?

Question:Any suggestions? It's his first one. He will be interviewed then asked to "read" for a commercial. How can I prepare him for this experience? He's so excited....for me as a parent, it's not about getting him on tv. He's in 2nd grade and I've come to realize that SO much of his mark is based on presentation skills. So, we're not going into this with false expectations. Just a little more confidence in public speaking. (No, I won't be paying for pictures/portfolios etc) Any sound advice? The audition is on Saturday. Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Any suggestions? It's his first one. He will be interviewed then asked to "read" for a commercial. How can I prepare him for this experience? He's so excited....for me as a parent, it's not about getting him on tv. He's in 2nd grade and I've come to realize that SO much of his mark is based on presentation skills. So, we're not going into this with false expectations. Just a little more confidence in public speaking. (No, I won't be paying for pictures/portfolios etc) Any sound advice? The audition is on Saturday. Thanks!

I teacher children's theatre and have cast children for TV shows and can tell you the best way you can prepare him is just joke around the house by picking up a bottle of pancake syrup and tell him to sell it to you, while getting ready for bed ask him to sell his pajamas to you and so on. Grab a magazine and have him read one of the ads to you as if he was pitching the product. Prep him for this natural improv because that is predominantly what the casting directors are looking for--that and a specific look that he of course may or may not have.

While practicing around the house make sure he speaks clearly, takes his time with it, and speaks at a volume he can be heard and most importantly has fun. Casting directors are looking for children that come across natural and will be easy to work with. Make sure your son is focused and on his best behavior.

For the people who say this is too young don't forget that kids are needed in this industry as well. Yes, I agree it is never wise for a parent to push this on their child but most 7 year olds that I have taught know whether they love this field or not. It is worth a try. I have yet to see a child who did not gain a least a sliver of self confidence and self awareness from trying this out.

too many parents pushing there kids too become actors

moral support is the best thing you can give him for now. everything else is all up to him. no pressure,ok?

Well I feel 7 is way to early for that sort of thing... but you want advise and support....

Do you have the script? Have him practice reading it... If you don't have the script then have him read books outload to you... The harde4st part is reading from the script... After that it would depend if he has talent... Just get him use to the reading outload part...

If he does get this commercial I would suggest refraining from further work for him until he is old enough to handle acting.... A lot of parents don't realize how allowing a child do do things like acting and modeling at a young age can slow the progress of a child... He's a kid... let him be a kid...

Generally they like "naturals" that show some potential to showcase the product.

A friend of mine's toddler was the Aunt Jemana girl ages ago and they must have picked her because she could pour the syrup, eat the pancakes and maybe her eyes went wide with delight.

They often test a lot of people and then sit back with the client and decided who did it the best.

Do not pay for lessons either. If you had told us how this audition came about or what company in conducting it, we could advise you as to it's legitimacy,. It sounds like some of the scams out there.