Honest answers to the questions parents actually ask before their child starts working with an acting coach. If yours is not here, email and ask it.
TOP QUESTIONS:
What age can a child start?
Your child should start professional level acting classes around five years old for most children, though it depends far more on the child than the birthday. What matters is whether they genuinely enjoy it. Many students discover along the way they want to professionally do something else in their life, however, the skills they have learn from acting classes prepare them for all facets of their ultimate goals. Including those of being a successful working actor.
How do I know if my child actually has something?
Every child has something! The real questions are whether they enjoy the acting classes, being creative, understanding the dedication of the actual work itself, whether they can take a note without emotionally collapsing, and whether they can handle that this is a journey and successful can take years. Those are the things that decide who lasts. Many people think acting looks fun and easy. It is in fact fun! However, making it look easy is similar to being a professional athlete and takes as much dedication.
My child is talented but freezes on camera. Is that fixable?
Of course! Freezing can stem from a multitude of reason. When a young actor knows exactly what they are doing in a scene, the fear has much less to hold on to.
My child books nothing and nobody will tell me why.
Not booking isn’t usually about lack of talent. And this is one of the most common reason parents get in touch. Casting rarely gives feedback. Agents and Managers rarely get feedback from casting either. So children and students are left guessing. As a coach I can watch their work and tell you plainly what is happening which is often something specific and fixable rather than anything to do with talent. Sometimes very talented actors are not able to make a career out of acting. Just like very talented athletes don’t make the olympics. And very wonderful people don’t get hire at other jobs. There are many factors. I just make sure that the acting part is great!
Will coaching make my child a better performer?
Of course. From preparation, to audition, to being on set.
Do we need to live in Los Angeles?
No. I coach in person in Los Angeles and remotely, worldwide. Since most auditions now happen on self-tape, remote coaching takes place in the same medium as the job itself.
Is this a realistic career for my child?
The answer is maybe. There are so many outside factors involved. However, I will help you set up goals and grow talent into craft.
What happens in a first session?
Depends on what are goals are. It’s important that going into the first session those are clear.
What does a parent do during sessions?
That depends on the child’s age and on what helps them work. I will be upfront and honest whether your presence in the room is useful or whether the work goes better without it. Neither answer is a judgement. Just experience.
Ask something else
Email gaylaactingcoach@gmail.com with your child’s age, what they are working toward, and what is getting in the way.