Advice Re: Modeling/acting In Thailand (Kids)

[useclothnotplastic]

Hey all,

my kid is interested in modeling/acting. He is old enough that I think he could do it with a level head, and we would only support it so long as it is enjoyable and seems harmless. I'm not a stage mom, this is his interest.

But I have no idea really about how one begins to explore this path. I've done a lot of googling, and while I find some agencies in Bangkok, I do not find any real advice about it all. What to expect, if you have to put together some sort of portfolio of pictures, to use an angency or not to use and angency, and if not, how one finds jobs, what to watch out for... this sort of information. Also, if anyone knows of specific information for living in northern Thailand and modeling/acting, that would be extra great. We could go down to Bangkok from time to time if this is the only place for it, but I would imagine that Chiang Mai is big enough to use/need models and actors?

Many thanks, and try to keep it nice okay? I have avoided using this forum due to the amazing amount of mean hearted snarkiness I see on it - I'm dipping my toes in, hoping for real communication. And don't worry all parents who find the idea of child acting vile and paramount to abuse, we are just checking it out, and keeping eyes open and we aren't' creating Lindsey Lohan.

big thanks.

[Hedghog]

How old what colour,black,white 50/50,Pakistani,Chinese,etc, etc.

[Gweiloman]

How old what colour,black,white 50/50,Pakistani,Chinese,etc, etc.

Does that matter? I would have thought that Thailand is cosmopolitan enough that there is demand (albeit in varying degrees) regardless of race or creed?

[JLCrab]

OK, I'll say it: If the kid has any real talent, they'll find him.

[Hedghog]

How old what colour,black,white 50/50,Pakistani,Chinese,etc, etc.

Does that matter? I would have thought that Thailand is cosmopolitan enough that there is demand (albeit in varying degrees) regardless of race or creed?

I would imagine it would be of relevance to a casting director.

[FunFon]

Speaking from experience

The kid who's motivated from within his/her own heart to do what it takes, has the inherent self-discipline to practice day and night, do without leisure with friends or other hobbies to be successful in any kind of art or show business is one in a billion.

The pushy stage mother cracking the whip using brainwashing, intimidation, every tool of psychological manipulation at her disposal is 99.99% of the time absolutely necessary to have even a 1% chance at "success".

And neither scenario is very likely to leave a balanced healthy human being at the end of such a childhood and adolescence, most likely severe psychological and substance abuse problems, even if successful, or rather even more likely with success.

Sure let him/her learn to sing and dance, enter into competitions whatever, but pray they don't succeed, when they realise just how hard it is and they give up, breathe a sigh of relief and let him/her get on with enjoying life as a normal kid.

[Khun Watchaporn]

Typing 'Thai child model agencies' into google must be difficult.

[JLCrab]

From Post #6 above: Speaking from experience ... do you ever not?

[FunFon]

Yes, my feelings on international currency movements are based solely on reading and abstract reasoning, I've never actually traded for a living.

If you would like to question my experience in another specific area feel free, but maybe PM would be more appropriate.

[JLCrab]

Yes, my feelings on international currency movements are based solely on reading and abstract reasoning, I've never actually traded for a living.

If you would like to question my experience in another specific area feel free, but maybe PM would be more appropriate.

That's OK -- I'll just re-read Thurber's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

[Morakot]

From Post #6 above: Speaking from experience ... do you ever not?

Have you considered this function?

[JLCrab]

No. If I can read his stuff and occasionally reply without getting banned, then I know my anti-psychotic medication is working.

Edited April 19, 2013 by JLCrab

[Boo]

stalking posters around the forums though is not allowed, so suggest that you take a break.

[fletchsmile]

Hi OP,

On your last para, I see where you're coming from. That can be the case sometimes on the General Forum and a couple of others. The Family Forum tends to get fewer posts, but usually largely without the behaviour you're referring to.

As for your actual question, we're no experts in this area. My wife has a bit of an interest in this happening too. Occasionally by word of mouth things come round, and you find out someone is a looking. There have been a few threads on Thai Visa about this if you do a search. Some might have been in General.

Just to share an experience though: Our kids have done it once. One of the teacher's asked at school (in BKK) asked if we would be open to the idea of allowing our daughter who was in her class to do some photo shoots/ modelling for a catalogue being done by someone she knew. We said yes. They had a bit of a rehearsal after school, and it went Ok so we agreed. They also thought the younger one was cute so asked her along too.

On the day I think the kids enjoyed it, but it was probably a bit long for them in my view, although there was DVDs and pizza etc for them, and we went along to see as it was a first time for us.

There was no payment for this - but that wasn't really the point. More for the experience. What they did do was give us a DVD with some photos on. This was nice to show family back in the UK. They also let the kids choose one of the costumes to keep. Not the ones from the day, but they made some new costumes that we got a couple of weeks later with the photo DVD. One ended up with a snow white costume and the other with a fairy dress. They've worn them quite a few times since, and was probably better than money seeing as they did the "work" and they got the reward for their "work"

I'm not sure how regularly the lady does this stuff, but I can see if I can dig out the phone number if you're interested and want to PM me. We'd consider doing it again.

For acting, I'd suggest you talk to the class teacher at school and maybe the specialised arts/music/dance teacher if they have one.

Oh, and welcome to the forum by the way

Cheers

Fletch

Edited April 20, 2013 by fletchsmile

[fletchsmile]

BTW To some of my fellow posters above. I can appreciate the "humour" and "wordly philosophy" intended in some of the posts, and see quite a few of you around elsewhere, so am familiar with your styles.

Might be nice, though if we were a bit more encouraging to a new poster, who has already expressed concerns about posting in the first place, and who doesn't know you. This is after all the family forum. Besides, if we encourage new posters to come back, you might get a chance to practice and improve on your humour and philosophy as I think a few of you might need it

Yeh, I know. I appreciate the irony that I've done exactly what I'm talking about too But at least I've tried to stick a constructive post and specifically answer the question first

Cheers

Fletch

[Boo]

We live in UK & my son (5) attends a local drama club at weekends as an outlet for his creativity. He plays rudby, cricket & football at school so he is well covered in that area. He loves to perform, mostly reenactments of computer games ! but he enjoys going somewhere with a bit of structure where they sing, dance & act, every term they chose a new production, last term was Aladdin, this term Mary Poppins & quite often the kids there are scouted for local productions for pantos & by modelling firms.

Maybe sign up for a local theater company, if you have one near or a weekend drama club, that is a good "in" & puts them in the path of scouts & also helps develop any talent they may have.

[Boo]

http://www.istudio.com/agencies/agencies/thailand-modeling-agencies.php

http://www.gamdang.com/en

[wolf5370]

You could take him along to a local photographer and for 1500 baht or so get a good portfolio shot. Send prints to various ad agencies and see what happens.

I know of at least one guy on here that has had his son on several posters etc, but never been paid a cent for it - he sends in photos with no royalty requirement and they use them at will. This may be a way to get noticed, but probably not the best way to get paid work!

You didn't say his age, but if he is a minor I would make sure I was able to be with him at all times when working - just a thought (and a possible obstacle). To the kids I say dreams are for following - follow and not succeeding is better than a lifetime of regrets for not trying in the first place!

My girls are half Thai / half Brit and have been on a few posters and even a book cover - none did we seek, but we were asked (they were toddlers at the time) - we agreed as we knew the people involved - that was back in the UK, but for Thai events (book was a Thai Buddhist book and showed my eldest daughter, in traditional Thai attire, waiing to a Buddha statue at a London temple - she was 3 I think - very cute and I still have several copies ). They also performed on stage at several Thai festivals and celebrations (like Loy Kratong) performing Thai dance. My eldest daughter also once opened a co-op! Along with the local mayor and three classmates, she had a photo shoot showing opening the new store. She was in the local papers - as she was the one chosen to cut the ribbon.

We were asked several times when they were young to do modelling professionally with them - we as parents decided not to.

Edited April 20, 2013 by wolf5370

[useclothnotplastic]

Hello everyone,

first, to those who have been kind and helpful, THANK YOU. You are the people who make it worth it to browse this site, and post on it.

To those who have been mean spirited, and saying silly things like how difficult it is to type child modeling into google, if you actually read my question, you would see that I had already spent a lot of time doing online research before posting, and that I was asking questions that a modeling agency would not have answers to. Funny, but the agencies do not tend to put warnings on their websites about what I need to watch out for in regards to their services. Believe it or not, Google does not always have all the answers one seeks - that is one of the reasons forums like this exist. It's actually amazing to me how this community cannot resist being argumentative and snarky. I have read various forum threads already, there really just isn't that much information out there that answers my questions (and I fancy myself a pretty good googler).

I'm still hoping to learn more from anyone who has actual experience and advise. I'll check out the websites linked by Boo (thanks Boo). Since live kind of in the sticks, it's unlikely we will just be approached, despite my kids crazy good looks

Oh, and to the person who said he has to have incredible drive and I have to be a crazy stage mom in order for there to be "success", I'll just say that he isn't trying to be a new superstar, just hoping for an experience - success would be getting to do a couple of jobs, so I wouldn't worry about failure or the ruination of his childhood. I do get where you are coming from though.

Thanks again to all the kind folks out there.

[onthemoon]

Two of my little nieces-in-law have been going to ‘Star Makers‘ for a few years now. They enjoy it tremendously.

That‘s in Bangkok though. I did‘t check whether there is a branch in the North.

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