Yesterday, Daphne and I attended our first audition. For a Similac web and print campaign.
We got the call from a friend in the biz, which just happened to occur the same week we got word from an agency in town that they’d like to represent us. This also coincided with breaking the news to my boss that I just can’t continue with the odd hours inherent in field work. It just isn’t working for my family. Boss was disappointed, of course, but understanding, and I agreed to be available when I can for their work overflow. As it flows now, I’ve got class 4 sized rapids of work to get done here from home. I expect the river to slow to a trickle by early next year, which is why I decided that taking Daphne to the occasional audition might be a good thing for the following reasons:
- We don’t get out much. Daphne only sees me, her daddy, and her nanny most of the time. While she’s comfortable when we have visitors to our home, for the most part, she definitely is not comfortable being held by strangers, even after several hours. I accept that this might just be her temperament. She may be a shy girl who prefers the company of a select few. But how will I really know, unless I exposes her to different things? I want to give her the opportunity to explore her more social side – beyond play dates with the few mommy friends I know. In the waiting area of yesterday’s audition, there were dozens of babies and beautiful mommies, all smiling and friendly. I’d say it was a fairly pleasant experience for little D and I. And while I acknowledge that there are other ways to socialize your baby, there are few you might actually get paid for.
- And she might actually get paid well. Very well. This means starting a college fund for Daphne, which will likely be put to good use one day considering the sickening price of college tuition. Provided we book anything, of course.
- We have nothing to lose. Because we aren’t relying on the income we might make from any jobs we book for basic necessities of life, it takes the pressure off. It’s probably more likely than not that we won’t be called back for the Similac commercial. Maybe I’m too tall (I towered over the girl I read with). Maybe Daphne was too squirmy (she kicked and screeched the entire time I spit back the requested mommy lines). Maybe my hair’s too long, or her face too round. We could be wrong for any number of superficial reasons. Luckily, my self esteem, and my pocket book, are not riding on whether or not we “make it.” This takes the pressure off entirely, and makes it all just for fun! And it was fun, I enjoyed reading in there. I got a kick out of Daphne’s antics. I loved gawking at all the stage mommies and their bright eyed babes.
I don’t, however, have any delusions of grandeur here. She, or me, may never get cast in anything, which is totally fine. She may hate it, and never warm up to new people and new situations in the way that show business requires. This is all fine. Exploring “acting” and “modeling” is just an adventure for us, another activity. If after 3 or 4 months, we find it isn’t worth the gas money, and too stressful for my sweet baby girl, we’ll bow out gracefully. In the meantime, let Steph Mignon and Daphne Joyce’s foray into Hollywood begin…
I get a little sick to my stomach when I say that though… because right now she doesn’t have a voice. Maybe she will be intensely private, and as an adult make it clear to us that she would never have chosen this. Maybe she’ll be angry with me for getting her baby picture in a magazine. Or maybe she’ll be thrilled that I utilized the opportunities available to her. More maybes. They follow me everywhere.
What do you all think? Am I making a mistake, by exposing her to the lights, the cameras, and the action?
I used to work in the biz with the kiddos and to some degree I didn’t like it and swore my child would never be in the biz. Then I had my sweet little man and started thinking a college fund might be nice!! Wondering where to start!!?? (We live in Denver).
Everyone cool lives in Denver these days! I just had some friends move there, actually. I simply submitted Daphne and my picture to an agency and they asked to represent us. I’m sure Denver has some kid agencies too… I know smaller cities sometimes pay in clothes, but then you’d have professional pictures AND free clothing for your little guy!
I want him to be a Carters baby. Haha.
Right!? Sometimes I wish my babies clothes came in adult sizes, haha.
Your choice! You have to trust your mom gut! Curious how you got the idea to try this in the first place?
That’s a really good question, actually! I actually was on some shows in my twenties/did some modeling and had a really fun time doing it, and found it to be an easy way to make good money. I had forgotten about it until I saw a post in my Facebook feed about an agency looking for babies and moms, when I figured what the heck. A few days later, a friend in casting asked if I could come in for the Similac audition. There you have it! I think we’ll see how it goes and then abandon ship if it feels too exploitative or not worth our time.
I happen to think baby girl is beautiful and unique looking. I tell myself all the time that she could model if she wanted to. Of course, this is all in my mind–and will most likely stay there, where she’ll never be rejected. Good luck to you and Daphne! I’m sure your beautiful girl could earn herself a nice chunk of change for college!
Awe Daryl, you are always so warm and supportive!!! I bet your darling girl is gorgeous too (I would love to see recent pics if you ever feel like posting for a few hours and then taking down). And from what I’ve heard, Canada has a thriving entertainment industry. If you do decide to look into it, keep us posted!
This sounds like so much fun to me. I was really into theater in high school and would love to do something like it with Bayliss. I will admit that I submitted her photo to a 4Moms casting call (they’re local) but didn’t hear back. It would’ve been awesome to get some merch out of that!
DH has been pushing me to get Truett involved in this type of stuff for months now. I would like to on a very small scale but I have no idea where to begin. I think it could be a fun experience though for our family and like you said.. college fund! 🙂 Good luck!!
Yes yes! Trust your momma gut! There are many ways to build a college fund so if it’s not the right direction there’ll be another. If it is the right direction then doors will keep opening 🙂
At seven months, Cameron did his first shoot for Cuties Diapers and I was a little worried about how he would be around that many strangers, but it worked out so well. 1. He sat up for the first time unsupported for the entire time we shot; which brings me to 2. they only shot for 22 minutes. Photographers know they have a short window with babies and they take advantage of it, so the actual work part is really short. Just make sure you read all releases before you sign them and make sure Daphne is getting paid her worth! I thought it was a really good experience for my son, though and look forward to future bookings for him.
Wow! That is so cool!!!! I am glad to hear it went so well for you guys. We are in California and are waiting for the darn work permit, before we can set up a Coogan account etc. and get our paperwork to the agency to make representation official. Look forward to our adventures in Hollywood!
Oh AND yes, she’s been grumpier… downright deviant at times!