How to get into the business 
Q: How do I get my child started?
A: For NEW BORN BABIES TO  8 MONTHS ONLY PLEASE
If you are interested in  getting your baby into modelling please come to our open call
 Every Wednesday at our Mississauga office at 1:00pm.There is no need to email, just show up for the meeting.
** WE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY ACCEPTING BABIES AGES NEWBORN TO 8 MONTHS AND CHILDREN 3 YEARS AND UP**
We are not accepting any additional babies over 8 months of age. If your child is between 8 & 36 months please do not email asking if we will accept them. Only contact us once your child has turned 3.

For children Aged 3 years and up you must call us at (905) 542-8885 to schedule an appointment to meet with an agent.  You can also send us a photo with your name, age, measurements, telephone number, availability and talent resume if you have one by e-mail.
Q: Do my child have what it takes?
A: A model must no longer look a specific way in order to succeed. Looks can range from character to cutie. As lifestyles change, so do the trends in advertising, television commercials, print ads and fashion. Socioeconomic trends plays an important role in determining which looks will be in demand. Model & Talent Agents decide who to represent based on their clients current demands. Judging an individual's potential for success can be difficult in this field. Often more important than any other physical feature is attitude, personality and a sparkle from within. This will inspire decision makers to book the appropriate model/talent. Everyone has their own look which makes them unique. The modelling field is very diversified and utilizes people of many different looks and talents. Persistence and professionalism are the keys to success.
Q: Does my child require training?
A: Training is recommended for kids 8 years of age and up who are serious about television and Film otherwise no training is required. Your child's best training is an outgoing personality and experience gained through school productions and family performances.
Q: Does my child require a portfolio?
A: Children do not need a portfolio.
Q: What do Carolyn's courses and workshops offer? 
Preparing your child for the industry (4 Hours)
Taught by Children’s Agent Kristin Finley, Kristin is also a certified Child and Youth Worker
Workshop will cover everything from A-Z, such as:
· How to develop a successful relationship with your child’s agent
· Preparing your child for an audition/booking
· Post audition/booking procedures
· Agency Rules
· How to increase your child’s auditions/bookings
· Portfolio Building for kids
· How to make a great 1st impression on a client
· Appropriate behaviour and how to deal with your child on set
· Resumes
· How to keep track of your child’s career

Next Available Date:
TBA

Audition Workshop (4 Hours)
Workshop will cover topics such as:
· How to prepare for an audition
· How to dress
· How to slate
· What is expected of you
· SOC & Principle roles
· How to make a great 1st impression
· Memorizing script
· Improv for auditions

Next Available Date:
Saturday August 16, 2008 From 10:00am - 2:00pm

Etiquette & Personal Development (4 Hours)
Workshop will cover topics such as:
Manners
Greetings
Conversations
Table Settings
Table Etiquette
Dining in restaurants
Playing by the rules
Telephone manners
What to wear
How to be a popular guest
Business world
Protocol

Q: What are signs of a scam?
A: Be cautious if an agency tells you any of these things listed below.
- "We can guarantee you work"
- "You are exactly what were looking for"
- Babies  require professional pictures or portfolios.
Q: What questions should I ask before registering wiht an agency?
A: -What associations is it members of?
-What jobs/contracts have the models/talent received?
-Do agents and bookers from major agencies around the world visit looking for new talent?
-Is there any type of administration fee?
-What percentage is their commission on bookings?
You should feel comfortable with who represents you
You're in, now what? 
Q: Who is the staff at Carolyn's?
Kristin Finley
Children's Agent
Ext. 40
Sabrina Bonnici
Assitant Chidlren's Agent
Ext. 21
Liz McMann
Adults Talent Agent
Ext. 24
Alexis Micheals
New Faces
Ext. 32
Lindsey Akuffo
Creative Director /Web
Ext. 27
Nancy Stevens
Graphics Designer
Ext. 23
Obenewa Donaldson
Accounting
Ext. 26
Jamie Andrade
Exec. Admin Assitant
Ext. 37
Joanne Meli
Reception
Ext. 25
Carolyn Nikkanen
President
Ext. 31

Q: What is Casting 800?
Our agency is now using 800Casting™ software.  This software is the talent side of a powerful entertainment software package used by Talent Agents, Managers, Casting Directors, Photographers, Producers and Advertising Agencies who utilize the software to find talent for their projects Worldwide.

We believe that by activating your online portfolio, you are giving us as your agent, and casting directors we work with the power to instantly submit you for projects around the world.  This program is a secure program.

 Our database for Carolyn's Model & Talent Agency is searchable worldwide by clients and casting directors.  We believe this will be a great asset in helping assist  you with more auditions, go see's and bookings.

Remember... your marketing tools are the difference between getting seen and
getting lost in the shuffle.

There is a small service fee of $19.95 per year which will allow you to organize your resume, upload 10 images, 10 video reels, and 10 voice-over clips.


To activate, click the link below.
(You must use the activation link below to register to the agency's profile)


If you have any questions please contact Carolyn Nikkanen at
905-542-8885 or email her carolyn@carolynsonline.com
Q: How soon can I expect to see my child on the website?
A: The childrens site is updated at the end of each month. If your child had a photoshoot done then placement can take anywhere from two to six weeks depending on when we receive the photos. If you have any question regarding when your picture will be going up you can contact Lindsey at (905) 542-8885 ext. 27 or Lindsey@carolynsonline.com.

Updated baby photos should be sent to lindsey@carolynsonline.com , please be sure to includes your childs full name and birthdate.
Q: How often do I have to update pictures and measurements?
A: Baby's pictures and measurements need to be updated every two to three months. Pictures & Measurements can be mailed or e-mailed in. When e-mailing pictures please keep in mind that we only need to see two of the best pictures. Make sure the picture is recent. Be sure that there is no food on the face or hats on the head. When e-mailing pictures also please try to keep the resolution high as we crop and resize for our files. Please be sure it is in a .jpg format. With children 3 & up measurements should be updated every 3 months or whenever the child changes height or clothing size. Pictures should be a recent depiction of what your child looks like. If they have changed or grown quite a bit it's time for new pictures. If you're unsure please contact your child's agent Kristin at ext 40 or kristin@carolynsonline.com

Please be sure each time you update the agency with updated information you update your Casting 800 profile as well and vice versa.

Updated baby photos should be sent to jamie@carolynsonline.com , please be sure to includes your child's full name and birthdate.
Q: Why is my Babies photo is no longer on the website?
If your child's measurements are more then 6 months out  of date or your babbies measurements more then 3 months out of date your child's photo will  be pulled from the site and their file will become inactive. In order to reactivate their account and place them back on the site, updated measurements must be emailed in to jamie@carolynsonline.com .

Q: What does "Booking Out" mean?
A: "Booking Out" is a term we use when you the model/talent calls the agency to inform us that you will be unavailable from X date to X date. Please be sure to tell us in advance of when you will be unavailable. Do not contact us the night before as we may have already submitted you for a possible job. This is a business and our role is to submit and promote the appropriate people to casting directors and clients to get you that audition /go see. If you can't make that audition/go see you have taken away that spot from someone else. We then have to call the casting director or client with a regret. By doing this, it can potentially give the agency a bad name among casting directors and can therefore affect the entire roster.
Q: How soon can I expect my child to get work? /  How come my child is not getting any work?
A: This is a question that we cannot answer. Getting work in this industry depends on a wide variety of things. How much experience does someone have, how busy is the industry are you what casting directors are looking for at the moment, do you have the knowledge to land the part or booking when you get that audition or go see?
#1 - We do not give people auditions. It is the agency's responsibility to submit your pictures to casting directors and clients for work that may be coming up. It is then up to the casting director to call us with who they would like to see.
#2- To get an audition is an amazing opportunity! You have to remember that in order to get that audition you have just been selected over thousands of other people to go in and meet with that client or casting director.
#3- if you actually get an audition, SHOW UP! DO NOT BE LATE! Casting directors work very hard to have everyone scheduled in at appropriate times. You also may have to audition with other people. If you are late chances are casting directors will not see you. It is not tolerated in this business. Time is money! This is not the first impression you want to make on some one who has the power to give you a job.
#4- once you get that audition it is up to you to land that booking. Don't have any experience? Never been on an audition? What makes you think that a casting director would pick you over someone who has lots of training and experience? It is a definite must to have some sort of training / experience in this industry. If you go into that audition not knowing what you are doing and you blow it…chances are that they will not call you in again. For more information of training please contact your agent.
A little note…. Have you ever watched biographies on your favorite TV and movie stars or seen them talk shows or award shows? Do you think these people became stars overnight? Most of your favorite celebrities worked hard and for almost no money for many years before getting that big break. Remember this is a business and like any business you must train yourself and know what you're doing and gain experience before you begin doing very well.
Q: Does the agency give us directions to auditions, go sees or bookings?
NO WE DON'T!!! At the most, we can sometimes provide you with a closest intersection, but that's it! We can't stress how important it is to have a map book! We are only ever given an address to a location. Not detailed directions on how to get there from your specific location. We do not want to be responsible for you getting lost and not being there on time. Plan your route ahead of time! Buy a map book or check out Map Quest.com Please don't ask us for directions as that is your responsibility.

Q: When can I expect payment for a job I did?
Depends on the job. If it was a union job then payment can be expected within two to three weeks. Residuals take longer. For more information on the union see www.actratoronto.com or contact our office. If you did a non union job for a commercial or any type of print or promotional booking you can expect payment within approximately 3 months. Reason for the length is because once a job is completed we must invoice the client. Then they must invoice their client and then it must travel all the way back down. So by the time all of this happens it is approximately 3 months. Paydays are on the 15th and 30th of every month. You must call in to see if payment has arrived. Cheques must be picked up in person unless otherwise requested. The reason for this is because the agency likes to see you!
Site Designed By LM Designs |ã 2008 All Rights Reserved