FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS
About Us
How do I get started?
To get started, you will need to attend a Search in your area. This
is where we review and select participants for upcoming events.
Children and teens from 6 months through 18 years of age are welcome to attend any Search. Interviews are fun, casual and short. Instructions will be given when you attend. Parents must accompany all children and teens. Dress is casual.
What is NDN looking for at the Searches?
We are looking for interesting individuals with sparkle and a personality to match to participate in our event!
If an Agency is interested in my child, will I have to pay anything up front?
National Discovery Network is NOT an Agency or a School! We are a scouting and promotional company that brings together participants to meet with top agents, managers and casting directors. We provide education and information as well as exposure to the industry.
Many people have "the talent" or "the look", but if they are not seen by the right individuals, they may never have the opportunity to explore their dreams. Opportunity is what we strive to provide for our event participants.
What is your placement rate?
Over the years, many of our event participants have had opportunites presented to them!
Our events are by invitation only. You must participate in a Search to be invited. If interest is generated, we will meet with you to discuss participation in an Event.
About the Industry
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a sample of a model's work throughout his/her career. Purchasing an entire complete portfolio at one-time is never recommended for children due to their quick growth process. Over time, modelsl will acquire tear sheets for their book (copies of print ads they modeled in). For those older children to young adults, a second or third "look" may be recommended to purchase when doing the initial shoot, to show body stature and movement. A couple of these photos will be selected from the shoot to show versatility and may or may not be used for marketing.
What are composite cards?
For actors, the actor will usually have 100-200 copies made of the headshot photo. For models, they may make copies of the marketing photo selected or increase their "card" to add the additional looks, if applicable. The standard headshot (marketing piece) photo and copies are 8x10 size, and model composite cards (zed cards) are usually 5x7.
PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN PURCHASING PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTO COPYING! The average photo shoot should run about $200-$300, and headshot/comp card copies $100-$200(NYC). To achieve better results during the photo session, have your child practice various looks and body movement (poses). Have them practice an array of expressions in the mirror; happy, sad, angry, laughing, etc.
A reminder that our industry is NOT Looking for portrait, posed type photography. All images should be natural. Also a reminder that agent and manager opinions vary from each other based on industry need and professional opinion. Our opinions also vary from you as a parent see in a photo can vary greatly. It is best to trust your manager or agent’s opinion. A final note that photo opinions and requirements may vary from market to market. What photography works in a smaller market may not work in NYC or LA
Union vs. non-union?
All talent begins at a non-union status and may join the union after they are booked for a union project, or several union projects (depending on roles booked). There are (2) main unions; SAG (Screen Actors Guild-film), and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists – TV). Non-union talent may be considered for union bookings, but may be forced to join the union should they be booked for a specific role. In some cases however, the talent might be permitted to act in a union role without joining the union (Taft Hartley). Talent should also look into SAG Core. SAG Core is not widely publicized because union dues are much less for talent to belong to SAG Core than SAG. This was created for those “financial hardship cases”, which most actors certainly are in until they land something significant. Consult SAG directly for information as necessary. SAG and AFTRA are similar to unions in other professions. They assist the talent (union member) with structured income earning scale, working conditions, and payment terms.
Exclusive vs. non-exclusive?
We recommend that most talent remain non-exclusive until your child has a very good reason to go exclusive. Exclusive means he/she may not work with any other agent, so you will want to be certain that it is worth going exclusive with one agent if asked to do so. Also, find out if the talent or model is exclusive for all markets or one (meaning just print, or print, commercial, film/TV, etc.).
What about child labor laws?
Pertaining to kids and teens up to age 18: There are child labor laws pertaining to children working in the industry. You should contact your local state labor office to gather any paperwork that would be required for work in your area. NY and LA are exceptionally strict about required paperwork for children.
