Child Acting Agents - FAQs
FAQs – Quick Answers
Our London-based agency helps children across the UK find work in various industries.
We accept children aged 0 to 17 yrs, provided they are UK-based. We have a commission rate of 20%.
By joining Spotlight, your child will gain greater exposure to potential opportunities. Please note, we are not a sole agency, so your child can be with other agencies as well.
However, we cannot guarantee job placements, as opportunities depend on availability and suitability for roles.
Quick answers
- The agency is based in London
- We find work for kids UK-wide
- Children need to be UK-based
- The commission rate is usually 20%
- We currently accept kids up to 17 years old
- Kids over the age of 4 years should have pro pics
- Joining Spotlight will increase your child’s opportunities
- We are not a sole agency – you can join other agencies
- The agency offers no guarantees of finding work
Finding young actors work
Job requests are sourced from established clients such as casting directors, journalists, production companies and photographers.
As agents, we attract new clients through the internet or by recommendation. Acting and modelling projects are also sourced through Spotlight, the UK home of casting.
We are also members of talent directories who notify us on a daily basis of new projects in the UK and around the globe. For straightforward requests, suitable children are automatically put forward by the agency.
Many requests have strict requirements for which we normally send out notifications by email (on a daily basis) asking parents if they would like to participate.
Click on the link below to see some of the wow factor jobs that we have found for children and families.
What are your commission rates?
The agency earns a commission on securing you work. We deduct between 15% and 25% from earnings depending on the type of work
As a basic guide, the commission on theatre work is 15%, the commission on Film/TV is 20% and the commission on photographic work is 25%
As a general rule of thumb, we don’t charge any commission on one-off jobs (depending on the job) when the fee is less than £150 – 0% COMMISSION!
Our commission rates compare favourably to many other child talent agencies. For a full explanation click below.
Are there hidden costs?
In line with current legislation, our agents do not charge representation fees to find work for you.
There is a small subscription fee charged either monthly or yearly for website administrative work.
Parents who are serious about their child’s career should consider joining Spotlight
Child PW protection?
When you register with us, you choose a password and username. this enables you to access and update all the information we held on the database about your child.
The only other people who have access to your profile data are casting directors, production companies and other approved industry professionals.
Save-guarding your sensitive information is of the utmost importance to us. Your information is held on secure encrypted servers.
Are professional pics required?
When you make your initial application to join our agency, snapshots are fine – that’s all we need to see.
Please be assured that the is no obligation to use our recommended photographers whatsoever.
There is a lot of advice on the web which says ‘No, professional pictures are not required. For kids aged 4 years and over, professional pictures are the norm in the industry. For under 4 years, they are not strictly necessary.
However, time and again, we find it is children with professional pics who get shortlisted for work a lot more often than those without.
Professional pics show how a child reacts in a professional studio, with strange people and strange flashing lights – pictures taken by parents on their mobile phones cannot do this.
Simply put, professional photos sell products and services.
You need to give your child the best possible chance of getting booked.
What is a comp card?
Comp cards are also known as ‘Z’ or ‘Zed’ cards. A free online digital comp card is included on your portfolio pages.
You can update the pictures and info on your card at any point.
Our cards are A4/A5 in size and show 3/4/5 portrait format pics of the model/actor. They also contain the contact details of the agency that represents the child
You will find that printed comp cards are very useful when you attend auditions and bookings where they can be handed out to industry professionals that may be interested in hiring your child for future assignments.
You can download these and print copies at home or ask us to print them for you
Does the agency accept everyone?
We receive an average of 100+ child applications a week depending on the time of year, from a catchment area which includes London &the south-east and goes up as far a Manchester. Liverpool, North East & Scotland
Applications from all ethnic backgrounds are welcome. Whenever possible, children are carefully assessed for suitability, temperament and extrovert personalities in a studio environment.
Parents sometimes remark that there are a lot of children on the agency’s books and so the is a lot of internal competition. Casting directors may request a child of a certain age, ethnicity and gender, living within an hour of a certain city.
Once these search parameters are put into our system, the choice drops from hundreds of kids to just a few – often 5 or less.
Does the agency guarantee work?
As an agency, we cannot guarantee your baby or child will find work.
During the application process, we pick babies and kids that we think are going to do well.
At the end of the day, it is the client’s choice as to which baby or child they think is suitable.
All we can do, and do very well, is maximise your child’s chance of being picked by having a completely professional approach to your child’s representation
How much can a child earn?
Assignments can pay anything from £60/hour to literally thousands of pounds for high profile TV advertising campaigns involving a buyout fee when a child is a ‘Hero Talent’.
When we email you confirmation of a job it will inform you of any agreed fees.
What are performances licenses?
As a simple guide, all children from 0 to 16 years need a licence to take part in any type of media project, paid or unpaid.
Licenses are normally issued by the local council for each individual job. It is the responsibility of the production company (who may ask the agency to assist) to ensure that licenses are in place.
It is never the responsibility of parents to apply for these licenses
Are you a sole agency?
We are not a sole agency.
When you sign up with us, we do not demand exclusivity. You are free to sign up with other agencies.
How do I join?
The first step is to fill out the application form!
Take the next step and join us TODAY!