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If you’re stepping into the world of kids’ modelling or acting for the first time, it can feel confusing.
Parents often ask:
- “Do we apply first?”
- “Do we need special photos?”
- “Do you audition kids straight away?”
- “What even comes first?”
At Bubblegum Casting, we keep things simple.
Here’s the truth:
X Not school photos.
X Not holiday snaps.
X Not quick iPhone pictures in the backyard.
We mean real, industry-standard folio photography — the kind casting directors, brands, and production houses expect to see. And once you have that, the whole process becomes 10x easier.
Let’s walk through the pathway, step by step.
STEP 1
A Professional Portfolio (The Real Starting Point)
Everything begins with your child’s portfolio.
This is how agencies and clients understand:
- your child’s personality
- their on-camera confidence
- their expressions and range
- how they respond to studio lighting
- what roles they’re naturally suited to
School photos simply don’t show this.
They’re lovely for the fridge — but not for the industry.
This is why we recommend doing your photos with our friends at POP! Photography, the official partner studio we trust to create industry-ready portfolios for Bubblegum kids.
Once your child has a true folio, we can properly evaluate potential, suitability, and next steps. It removes all the guesswork for both you and the agency.
STEP 2
Training (Optional, But Often a Secret Advantage)
After the folio, some kids benefit from a little training to build confidence before their first casting.
This helps them:
- understand what actually happens in an audition
- learn basic movement and posing
- take direction
- feel confident on camera
- stay calm and prepared on set
Some kids take to it naturally.
Others grow massively with just a small amount of teaching.
Training isn’t about perfection — it’s about supporting your child so they walk in feeling ready.
STEP 3
Profiles (Casting Networks & Showcast)
This is the part where most parents get stuck…
and where a great portfolio makes everything smoother.
To be considered for real jobs, your child needs properly completed profiles on:
- Casting Networks
- Showcast
- (and occasionally additional client-specific portals)
These profiles must be:
- Set up correctly
- Complete
- Updated
- Featuring proper industry shots
Without a folio, these profiles simply don’t work.
With a folio, they suddenly make sense — and start getting attention.
If needed, we can help guide families through the setup so nothing is missed.
STEP 4
Opportunities (The Fun Part)
Once your child has:
A professional folio from POP!
Basic training under their belt (if needed)
Correctly set up casting profiles
…they are officially industry ready.
From here, we can accurately decide:
- Which categories they fit (acting, modelling, or both)
- How strong their potential is
- What kinds of clients they’re most suited for
- Whether representation is a good next step
And that’s when casting opportunities begin.
This is the stage where everything becomes exciting and predictable — for you and for us.
Why We No Longer Interview Kids Without Portfolios
This new step isn’t about being strict.
It’s about being fair, transparent, and realistic.
Without photos:
- we can’t evaluate properly
- we make decisions based on guesses
- kids get overwhelmed at interviews
- parents get confused about next steps
- and we set families up for frustration
With a portfolio, everything becomes simple.
Decision-making becomes accurate.
Your child’s potential becomes clear.
And your journey becomes smoother.
This is a safer, clearer, and more industry-aligned pathway for everyone involved.
Ready to Begin Your Child’s Modelling Journey?
If your child is ready to take their first step — the real first step — our friends at POP! Photography will guide you through the portfolio session that starts it all.
We can’t wait to see your child shine.
