A: The most common statement a model agent or manager hears from a parent is "People stop me all the time and tell me how beautiful my child is. Everyone says he/she should model."

While such a comment is flattering, parents cannot simply rely on the recommendation of a relative, friend or stranger to determine whether to take on a new job. They need to be fully informed about how much time child modeling demands before taking on such a challenge.

Most parents feel that if their child is attractive enough, then it's simply a matter of sending a snapshot to an agent or manager and the next thing you know he/she will be appearing on a magazine cover or in a GAP ad.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

To be considered by Larkin Model Management, the first step is to submit a photograph. We accept submissions through the U.S. mail only -- We do NOT accept introductory photos via email.

A snapshot is fine only when introducing your child to us.

The child should be alone in this photo. We prefer a headshot so we can see the child's facial features clearly. No hat on the head, no food or makeup on the face. We should be able to see the child's hair length & color.

The photo must include the child's name, date of birth, height, clothing size, hair color, eye color, a parent's name and home phone number. You can include that information in the cover letter or on the back of the photo. This is simply an introductory photo for us to consider and decide whether we feel the child is photogenic enough to succeed in the competitive world of commercial print modeling and if there is an opening on our current model roster for their age and type.

Please include your return address either on the outside of the envelope or within the submission. Make sure to write clearly & legibly. We should not have to decipher messy handwriting or city nick names.

Remember, the first impression is always the most important in any situation. What we receive in the mail from you will give us an initial idea of your level of professionalism.

Photos are non-returnable.

A: All models accepted for representation will receive a packet in the mail. This packet includes a New Model Newsletter, a registration, a W-9 tax form, a special skills form, a street map of Manhattan, a model voucher, a model vocabulary list, and a list of questions & answers regarding the model industry entitled "Important Information (or everything you ever wanted to know about modeling but didn't know to ask)." This covers everything from photos to go-sees/tentatives/bookings to model permits & bank accounts. It is essential that the parent read through this thoroughly in order to fully understand what's ahead of them.

We do not require our models to sign exclusively. However, if the child is currently represented by another manager or agent, we need to know that they are not already exclusive for commercial print in NY or NJ.

Also, if the model is freelancing with other representation in the NYC area, we need to be made aware who else they are with. It doesn't look good for any model to be submitted for a job by more then one agent or manager. Clients tend to steer clear of anyone who is submitted to them multiple times. They feel that any model that needs more then one representative in order to work must not be booking too much. We like to keep the chance of multiple submissions down to a minimum.

A: Yes. Once you receive the model packet, you need to FULLY fill out the registration, W-9 tax form and special skills form and mail them to us. DO NOT FAX this information. There are documents that need to be signed and we need the original signatures on file.

If you leave anything blank (that includes social security number, date of birth, ethnicity, any measurements, your signature, etc.) we will not be able to register your child in our system.

The child's SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER is needed before we can submit your child for any potential work. Models become temporary employees of the client -- not Larkin Model Management -- when they book a modeling job and if we do not have a social security number on file our clients cannot hire them.

The DATE OF BIRTH is needed in order to submit a child model's photo to a client or send them on a go-see in which an age range or exact age is specified (an age range or exact age is specified for all child go-sees). Most clients will try to keep the go-see crowding to a minimum by insisting that no child over or under a particular age be sent. Also, an exact age is required for legal purposes when it's a pharmaceutical client. If a particular medication cannot be administered to a child under a certain age, the pharmaceutical company cannot hire a model under that age, even if they're only younger by a few days. This is called 'Truth In Advertising.'

International clients require that we supply them with the actual ETHNICITY of our models. When they are advertising in Japan, they are not looking to hire a Chinese model. When advertising in Brazil, they want someone who is actually Brazilian, sometimes even if they're only half. If the model is of such a mix that anything beyond Caucasian or African-American won't make any difference, then that's fine. But if they are of German & Irish decent, or 100% Costa Rican, then we want to know. Once again, this is 'Truth In Advertising'

A: If the model is 12 years old or younger we need 4 pieces of information filled out on the registration form regarding size: HEIGHT, WEIGHT, CLOTHING & SHOE.

If the model is over 12 years old we ask for: HEIGHT, WEIGHT, DRESS (for girls) or SUIT (for boys), PANTS, BUST, WAIST, HIPS & SHOES.

For boys, we need clothing size in numbers, e.g: Size 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. If he is completely out of children's sizes and ONLY wears men's sizes, then we need his suit (or jacket) size, e.g.: 28R, 30R, 32R, etc.

DO NOT list small, medium or large for any clothing size. If you are not sure of your child's size, bring them to a store to try on clothes (this is particularly important for boys' suits).

Though we are aware that it is popular for teenagers to wear oversized clothing, NEVER list a size that the child simply likes to wear if it's not their natural size. We are trying to book the model with a designer, not buy them a birthday gift. Again, take them to a store to try on clothing and supply us with their correct clothing size.

A: On the W-9 TAX FORM you will fill in your child's name and social security number, NOT your own. However, you will sign on your child's behalf if they are under 18 years old. The W-9 is only used when an ad agency is issuing payment through a paymaster for a particular job (meaning taxes will be taken out of the model's fee by the IRS) and they need a filled out & signed W-9 form sent over by us before the shoot date. Usually, they will have one on set for the parent to fill out, but we occasionally need to fax one over to prove the model can legally work before they will hire them.

A: On the SPECIAL SKILLS form we ask for a stage name ONLY if there is a name the child normally goes by on a daily basis that is different from what is listed on their W-9 tax form. For instance, Alfred Christopher Smith, Jr. might go by Chris Smith. Please do not make up a name simply for modeling purposes, unless there is a specific reason. For example, if the child's last name is so difficult for a client to pronounce, you might prefer they go by their first & middle name or maybe use the mother's maiden name.

We need to know if your child has a valid PASSPORT. Up until recently it was very rare that children would shoot out of the country, but in the past few months we have received several go-sees that were shooting in the Caribean and one that was shooting in China. We assume that if a child has a passport that a parent has one as well, but you may want to double check your expiration dates. A child model cannot travel without a parent or guardian.

Also, when we ask about athletic skills, dance & musical instruments, we are referring to skills that they actually have, not those you think they could fake it in front of a client. This goes for singing and acting as well. We want to know about actual training & experience, whether professional or in school, not what they do around the house.

Please recheck all 3 sheets to make sure you didn't miss anything before putting them back in the mail to us.

A: If you already have professional photos, please include original prints for us to scan and place on our website & in our promotional book. At this point, you may also email them if you have the capability. This would make them a first generation and they will appear much clearer on the site than a scanned image.

When emailing, do not worry about the image being too big, we are more concerned if they are too small. Any emailed photos should be at least 900 pixels in width. If you don't know what I mean by 'pixel width', then please send us the original prints to scan. If you need the prints back we will be happy to return them, just include a reminder note with the photos.

A: If you do not have professional photos yet, you will be instructed in your child's acceptance letter (which will be included with the packet) to obtain professional photos within 6 months. If your current snapshots are sufficient for now, we will let you know and will work with them for the first 6 months. If they are not, you will be given the guidelines required for model snapshots.

We give each model 6 months to obtain professional photos. Some parents find that within the first few months they simply can't handle going on go-sees, or they discover that their child is really not that interested in modeling, in which case we don't want them paying for a series of professional photos that they will never use. The first 6 months is considered a trial period for the parent and child to decide if this is something they really want to do.

A: The NEW MODEL NEWSLETTER includes all the basic information every model needs: How often new photos & sizes should be updated, a list of suggested photographers, a list of composite card printers, how & when you will be notified of go-sees, our guidelines & policies for representation, how to obtain a child model permit (required in the state of New York) and what a Coogan or Blocked Trust bank account is (also required for child models in the state of New York).

Once we have the model's registration, W-9 tax form, special skills form and photos, we can begin submitting the model to our clients and sending them on go-sees. The child model permit & Blocked Trust bank account may take a few weeks to obtain, so we ask that you begin the process as soon as possible so that your child does not miss out on any work.

A: Other then the standard 15% management commission fee, which is taken from the model's pay after they have booked a job, we charge no fees. Beware of any agency or manager that requires you to pay a registration fee. A legitimate agency or manager only makes money if the model works. They should not be taking any money from the model upfront that cannot be justified.

Most model agencies & managers will charge you for being on their website or in their promotional book. Some even charge for doing mailings. These are legitimate fees that are needed to promote the model.

Larkin Model Management does NOT charge any of its models to be on the website or appear in their promotional book. We update the website and print the book in-house, so there are no outside costs. The only cost to us in regard to the website & book is time, paper & ink. Additionally, we spend money on promotional mailings and photo submissions. We believe the annual cost to promote each model is covered by our 15% commission.

That is why it is so important for a model to attend as many go-sees as possible. If we feel that the model is not putting forth any effort then we will consider them 'not cost effective', meaning we may never see any return on our investment. If that is the case, we will have to replace them with a similar model who is serious about the business and will allow us to recoup the money we have invested in their promotion.

Do not be concerned, however, if your child hasn't booked anything. We don't penalize models for not booking jobs if they have been trying; the right one just hasn't come along for them yet. If you are doing everything right, going on the go-sees and bringing your child's comp card (see "What are composite cards?"), their time will come.

A: A PERSONAL MANAGER represents models and/or actors. A manager will book the model or talent either directly with a client or through a model or talent agency. This enables the model or talent to be multi-listed with several different agencies and gives them a wider range of clients. A manager takes a 15% commission on all print modeling jobs as well as all on-camera work.

An AGENT also represents model and/or actors. However, some agencies do not have a children's division. When they receive a children's go-see or a children's audition from a client, they will contact one or more personal managers to send children on their behalf. An agent takes a 20% commission on all modeling jobs.

When we send a model to a go-see through an agency, that agency is considered the AGENCY OF RECORD. We will always give the model the name & phone number of the agency of record for each go-see.

The model is NEVER to call that agency directly. Not to be too blunt, but the reason an agency may not have its own children's division to begin with is because they don't have the time or manpower to assist the parents in the go-see & booking process. It is more efficient for them to farm out children's go-sees to managers.

The agency contact information is strictly for the model to pass along to the client on the sign-in sheet and on their composite card so that the client knows who to call in order to book the model. The agency of record is the model's contact information for that particular go-see ONLY.

A: Both. When a model books a print job through an agency, via their manager, the agency will receive the standard 20% commission fee from the model's pay. That is on top of the manager's 15% commission. That is a total of 35% commission being taken out of the gross pay.

If you think that's a lot of money, think of it this way:

If a 10 year old child books a 4 hour job for $1,000/flat fee, and the booking is from their manager through an agency, the child would NET $650. That is $162.50 per hour. Other then some doctors, lawyers & CEOs, there are very few parents that can say they take home that sort of hourly wage. And this child hasn't even passed the 5th grade yet!

On the flip side, the manager would be making $150 and the agent makes $200 for the agency. If that is the only booking they have all week, then they are better off working at a fast food restaurant. Each needs to book several jobs a week, or one really big one, in order to stay in business.

That is why it is so vital that each model go on their go-sees, dress appropriately, bring their comp card to give to the client and always act pleasant and courteous -- like a professional. Modeling is a business and what you are doing is sending your child out into the work force, representing my company and possibly also a model or talent agency of record. If you don't take this business seriously I will replace your child with someone else who will.

A: A GO-SEE is when a model goes to see a client to be considered for an upcoming modeling job, just like a job interview. Sometimes the client will hire a casting director or photographer to hold the go-see for them.

Each client requires a go-see first for every ad they shoot. This is particularly true when children are involved, since their looks and temperaments can change daily.

Go-sees take place Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, just like any other business. Babies tend to be scheduled early to midday; school age children are scheduled after 3:00pm. Adult models are scheduled sometime between 9:00am-5:00pm. Go-see information is given with only 24 hours notice. Advertising is a fast-paced business. Once an ad campaign gets the green light, the client must quickly book the models and get the ad shot. There's no time for fussing around.

A: We distribute all our go-sees via email to our models, which is also the same way we receive them from our clients. This enables us to get the full information to each model in the most time-efficient manner. We generally receive between 4 and 8 go-sees a day, and they primarily occur between 3:00pm and 6:00pm. On an average day, we have to contact upwards of 120+ models for go-sees scheduled for the next day.

Think that number sounds high? Think of it this way: If I receive a general go-see for boys & girls, age 5-15, of all ethnicities and I send 2 of each age & each ethnicity (Caucasian, African-American, Asian, Hispanic & mixed ethnicity), that is 11(ages) x 2(sexes) x 5(ethnicities) = 110 models just for 1 go-see. Luckily, most of the go-sees we receive are limited in number or by request only.

One call to an adult model or parent usually takes 5 minutes to complete, if there are no complicated instructions. To make 120 calls would take 10 hours to complete. Obviously, it makes much more sense to email the information and have the adult model or parent respond that they received it.

A: If both parents work full time and do not have a flexible schedule, then you will need to find someone else that is over 18 years old and reliable to take the child on the go-see. That could be an older sibling, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, a nanny, a neighbor, etc.

Sometimes these go-sees are LIMITED, which is when we are asked to only send 5 or 10 of our best models. Sometimes they are REQUEST go-sees, which means we submitted photos first based on each character's breakdown, and the client or casting director has hand-picked who they want to meet with.

Occasionally with a request go-see, the models will be given specific appointment times. These are times set by the client, not by me or the agency.

If you are late for your request go-see appointment time you will have to wait until the end of the go-see session to be seen. I can guarantee that the client will take tardiness into consideration when deciding which model to book for the job. Not showing up at all will get that model black-listed from future go-sees held by that client as well as the agency of record that they were sent through.

But often go-sees are general, what is commonly referred to as a "cattle call." That is when we receive the breakdown of the model(s) the client is looking for and we send all our models that fit that breakdown.

A: When attending a general go-see I HIGHLY recommend arriving as early as possible. Even though a go-see may be scheduled from 3:30 to 5:00, cattle calls have been known to shut down early. That's because they need to finish by 5:00 and if too many models are on line during the last 1/2 hour or so, an assistant will be sent out to do a head count. The casting director or photographer will then determine how many models they can squeeze in before the cut-off time; the rest will be asked to leave. Though I'm aware that some assistants should brush up on their manners, it's still their job to clear everyone out when instructed.

At the 5:00 cut-off the casting director or photographer will have to quickly go through all the Polaroids he/she shot, which can be upwards or 300 or more, pick out the best of the best, package them up and then either get them to FedEx before the last pick-up or physically get them to the client's office before he/she leaves for the day.

The casting director or photographer is a temporary employee of the client's just for that day and has to do a good job with the go-see if he/she wants to be hired again. Part of that job is finishing on time.

It's very rare that only one manager or one agent gets called with a go-see. So, even though I may only be sending 10 models, I have no way of knowing how many other agencies and/or managers have been called, nor how many models they are each sending. This is information only the client is privy to, so even a limited go-see can turn into a cattle call.

Just like and actor attending an audition, only the models that attend the go-see will be considered for the modeling job. As the saying goes "You've got to be in it to win it."

A: Models that do not attend the general go-sees given to them will never prove to me that they can book over the competition and therefore will not be listed among my top models. They will not be sent on limited go-sees and will not be my top pick when submitting photos. Only models that put in the time & effort can advance in this industry.

Models that miss 3 go-sees in a row that are not due to illness, vacation or state testing, will be removed from our active roster. If your child is active in sports or made the school play, you need to book them out until they are available to model again. Even if the sport or play conflicts only a few days a week, you still need to book them out on those days.

If we email or call you regarding a go-see and you do not get back to us, we will assume you went on vacation and forgot to book-out. Your child will then be placed on the book-out board until we hear back from you. Anyone on our book-out board for 3 weeks, that has not actually called to book-out, will be removed from our files permanently.

A: There are 5 major advertising areas in North America: New York, Chicago, LA, Atlanta & Miami. Cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Minneapolis, Houston & Orlando are considered secondary markets. We are lucky that not only are we located in the NYC area, but NYC is considered the largest market in the world for commercial print modeling.

So it always puzzles me when a parent in NJ or Pennsylvania or Connecticut wants their child to model BUT refuses to go to NYC. Besides the obvious cultural experience they are denying their child, they also are not willing to go and meet with any major clients or photographers in order to obtain any modeling work. So why do they say they want their child to model if they don't actually want to go through with it?

Sure, there are some photographers in NJ, it's a beautiful place to shoot and the studio rent is less expensive then Manhattan, but the go-sees for the NJ jobs are usually held in NYC. Also, even though a client's corporate office is located in New Jersey, that doesn't mean that the ad agency & photo studio are in NJ as well. Most likely, they are located in the heart of the advertising Mecca just across the river.

If you don't feel comfortable traveling outside of your immediate area, then I think it would be best if you get your child enrolled in some other sort of extra curricular activity closer to home and forgo modeling.

A: To book a modeling job, a model needs to be prepared and have the right tools when attending the go-see. You must be able to invest time and money into the process. Time to go on go-sees and money for photos and composite cards.

Sometimes a model may get lucky and book a modeling job from their first go-see but for some models it can take years. After a model books a single job, it's right back to the go-see grind until they book the next job.

Some parents believe having their child model would be good for their ego, when actually the opposite is true. The modeling world is full of rejection and unless the model can handle that, they should not get involved.

I find that my top booking models love the go-see process and it shows when they meet the casting director or photographer. It's what the industry calls the 'IT FACTOR': Someone who not only meets the requirements of the character breakdown, but is also professional, completely prepared, shows up on time or even a few minutes early, and is just so happy to be there - whether they book the job or not - that they are simply a pleasure to be around. THAT'S who the client wants to promote their product and who the photographer wants to spend a day photographing!

And keep in mind, that doesn't just go for the child model. Parents come with them too, it's a package deal. The client and photographer don't need to take on any additional baggage when there are 200 more kids to choose from, so they will use simple tricks and techniques to avoid any problems on the shoot day.

If a parent - or whoever is the child's guardian for the day - is overheard complaining or being rude at a go-see, that child will not be hired no matter how perfect they are. There are BIG EYES & EARS in the waiting area, sometimes placed there on purpose, so just assume that the go-see process begins before you enter the building, and that it's not just your child being observed.

A: A COMPOSITE CARD, or 'comp card' for short, is a model's calling card. It's just like having a business card, but since this is a model we're talking about, it needs to show their face. All professional models carry comp cards.

A comp card is typically a 2-sided, 5" x 7", heavy stock, professionally printed card. It contains a headshot on the front with the model's name, and 1 to 4 shots on the back with the model's stats. When it comes to children, usually just the date of birth, hair color & eye color are shown because children change too quickly to include clothing size & height.

The comp card will also include the manager or agency contact information. Our models have the Larkin Model Management logo printed on their card. When attending a go-see through an agency of record, the best thing to do is to keep some mailing labels on hand to cover the Larkin logo and write (or type) the agency of record information. It is also acceptable to simply cross out the Larkin logo and write in the agency of record information somewhere on the card, though that tends to appear a bit rushed and messy.

The comp card layout can be flexible; there is no hard and fast rule about how it should look. In fact, experienced adult models will go out of their way to make their comp look different to catch the client's attention. Some even make a mini portfolio out of it by having a folded-over, 4-sided card. The most important thing to strive for is to have a comp card that makes the model look professional and impresses the client.

The photos on the comp card should be professionally taken. Clients will steer away from models that use home snapshots. It shows that they haven't had any experience in modeling, and clients prefer to hire experienced models when there can be upwards of $100,000 budgeted for an ad campaign.

Experienced models include their previous work, what are called TEARSHEETS, on their comp card. It can be a shot from a Modell's Sporting Goods circular or a national ad for Kleenex or a brochure for Amtrak, whatever they have shot before. But be sure not to include very old ads, where the model is obviously much younger. It's like having a gap of several years on a resume -- the client will wonder why no one else has hired them recently.

A: That's where their professional photos come in. A professional commercial print photographer will shoot a series of photos. This series will include a headshot as well as at least 4 different looks for the back of the comp. Those looks can be athletic or preppy or goofy, anything that shows different facets of the model's personality and their model type.

If you know of a commercial photographer near where you live or even have a relative that is a photographer, then great! Just avoid the Glamour Shots look (Makeup on a toddler? A feather boa? A cowboy hat & kerchief? No way!).

As long as you get photos done within 6 months and have some commercial print-looking shots to put on the comp card, then you're all set to compete with the big boys.

A: To figure out your child's model type, simply flip through any magazine that has commercial print ads, those are products bought by the general public, like pasta or cold medicine, not high fashion glamour. If you see an ad and say to yourself "My kid could have shot that", then you're on the right track.

You want the photographer to shoot photos that remind you of that ad. You don't need to pretend to the client that your child actually shot it, you just want to give them the idea that she could have booked it. It's all psychological.

On the other hand, models just starting out may only have snapshots. That's OK. They may not book anything with them, but they are at least learning how to handle themselves at go-sees while they're lining up the photographer or waiting for their composites to be printed.

Handling themselves properly at a go-see and having comp cards are the 2 most important things a professional model needs to do.

A: Below is an alphabetical list of PROFESSIONAL COMMERCIAL PRINT PHOTOGRAPHERS that we recommend:

Richard Blinkoff - 147 W. 15th St., NYC / 212-620-7883 / www.richardblinkoff.com

Barry Burns - 260 W. 36th St., 2nd fl., NYC / 212-713-0100 / www.barryburnsphotography.com

Lisamarie Casillas - Brooklyn, NY / Lisaspix@msn.com

Michael Crouser - 321 Dean St., Brooklyn, NY / 646-369-9021 / www.michaelcrouser.com

Jeff Hollesen Photography - NYC / 212-343-1814 / www.jeffhollesen.com

Michel Keel - 448 W. 37th St., NYC / 212-354-6889 / www.keelphoto.com

Bill Morris - 42 Greene St., NYC / 212-274-1177 / www.billmorris.com

Nadine Raphael - 102 Elm St., Westfield, NJ / 908-232-2182 / www.nadineraphael.com

Peter Wallburg Studios - 15 Beechwood Rd., Summit, NJ / 908-277-2078 / www.peterwallburgstudios.com

Conrad Webley Photography - East Orange & Union, NJ / 201-600-7453

BABIES: Where babies and toddlers are concerned, their looks tend to change so rapidly that they can look like a completely different person before your photo proofs come back. That's why I suggest bringing babies and toddlers to photo portrait studios. Someone like JC Penney, Sears, Moto Photo or Kid Kandids (Babies-R-Us). These places are inexpensive and have a quick turn around. Right now I'm looking at a Target store coupon from the Sunday paper that offers a Portrait Package for $7.99 that includes 1-8"x10", 2-5"x7", 4-3¼"x5", 24 wallets & 6 billfolds. With a price like that there is no excuse for any baby or toddler not to have professional photos. It's cheaper then having your own film developed!

A: There are many composite printers in and around NYC. Some charge more then others, some have better quality then others, some take longer to print then others. Below is a list of suggested composite card printers. If you can find one closer to you that is compatible in quality at rate, then go for it:

Fairway Printing - 115 West 30th St., #1107, NYC / 212-279-2939 / www.fairwayprinting.com

icompcards - 224 Sullivan St., #F1, NYC OR 3926 Plymouth Circle, Madison, WI / 315-849-4777 / www.icompcards.com (the best price!)

Power Printing - 60 East Forrest Ave., Shrewsbury, PA / 717-235-4624

Print NY - 250 Hudson St., NYC / 212-965-0988 / www.printny.net

The most important thing about composite cards: SEND US COMP CARDS TO SUBMIT TO OUR CLIENTS! They do you no good sitting around your house, waiting to go on a go-see, while we are doing 5-10 mailings a day to clients. Send at least a dozen comps to keep on file and check in occasionally to see if we are running low. The worst thing a model can do is go through all the effort of having comps made just to have them sit there gathering dust when they could be circulating throughout the modeling industry drumming up work on your child's behalf!

Babies & toddlers can get away with bringing snapshots instead of comp cards to a go-see without looking unprofessional. The photographer they are going to see photographs babies & toddlers for a living, so don't underestimate their level of knowledge in that area. However, no one wants to see a snapshot taken at the Thanksgiving table or sitting on Santa's lap. A rule of thumb: Nothing that would normally be kept in the family photo album or sent out as a Christmas card should ever be brought to a go-see.

What you should do is choose one of the photos from the portrait studio shoot and have 20 or 30 copies done in 5"x7". Type the child's information -- name, date of birth, hair color, eye color, clothing size shoe size and the agency of record for that particular go-see -- on a sticker and attach it on the back of the photo. Then you're ready to go!

Even better, scan the chosen photo and print it out, with all that information, on photo paper off your home computer. Even better then that? Have several photos on that sheet showing different looks. These can include outdoor shots or photos with pets, again duplicating ads that you have seen in magazines. KEEP ALL RELATIVES AND HOME FURNISHINGS OUT OF THE PHOTOS! You don't want to go through all the effort of creating your own comp card for your baby just to have it all ruined by having obvious amateur home snapshots on it.

A: This is a typical scenario for a go-see:

It's Thursday. The ad agency gets a call at 1:00pm from Nike and is told that after a morning meeting, they have received the green light to proceed with a previously discussed ad campaign, with a few minor changes.

The art director and art buyer scramble to pull together a meeting with the rest of the ad agency team that covers the Nike account, creating a new layout of the ad to reflect the changes, deciding what types of models they need, and how much the whole campaign is going to cost -- this includes buying ad space, paying the photographer & his crew, possible location fees, the wardrobe stylist, the hair stylist, the makeup artist, catering, the digital tech, the on-set tailor, the production company, the PA assistant, the set designer...and oh yeah, and the model who has yet to be cast. It's now 2:30pm.

The art director hires a photographer, probably someone that they have hired for Nike before, and a casting director set up a go-see for the next day. They need a Caucasian girl with light brown to blonde hair, between 6-8 years old, who can play soccer. It's for a national print ad. The go-see has to take place tomorrow; the client needs to have photos in hand by 6:30pm. The shoot is taking place next Tuesday. The ad will begin running the following week. The model fee on the job is $125/hour plus a $1,000/bonus for 1 year print usage. The shoot will take no more then 4 hours. It's now 3:00pm.

The casting director will quickly call around town to find rental space available for the next day, if they do not have their own casting studio or it's simply not large enough to conduct a go-see. Then they contact either by phone or by email several local model agencies, probably anywhere from 4 to 8 of them to make sure they find enough good models for the client to chose from. It's now 3:30pm.

Some of these agencies will have their own children's department, some will contact personal managers. The casting director may ask that they only send 10 of their best (if 8 agencies are called, that's still 80 models). Those with their own children's departments will pick their 10 top booking models. Those who work with managers will contact 5 managers and ask them each to send only 2 of their best. It's now 3:40pm.

Larkin Model Management will receive a call from one or more of the print agencies we work with. We will be given the breakdown and asked to send only our 2 best. If we get the call from 2 agencies, then we can send 2 models through each. We call our top 4 light brown to blonde girls, age 6-8 years old, who have listed "soccer" as one of their athletic talents on their special skills sheet. It's now 3:45pm and we have to wait for return calls before we can proceed in calling any replacement models.

Two moms answered their cell phones, said their daughters would be available for both the go-see & the shoot date. A third mom needs more then 24 hours notice (this is her 2nd decline for the same reason so her daughter is now dangerously close to being replaced on our active roster). A fourth mom needs to check her calendar, ironically to find out what days her daughter's soccer games are scheduled for. She is the first-string goalie and if she skips a game they may not make it into the finals. It's 4:00pm and I email my list of models, as it currently stands, over to the 2 agencies.

I contact a fifth model who I recently took on and has never been on a go-see before, but meets all the criteria for the character. She is thrilled to be going on her first go-see. Mom #4 calls back and says that her daughter doesn't have a game until Wednesday so she will be at the go-see. I then EMAIL full information regarding the go-see to each model. I send my final list of confirmed models over to the 2 agencies. They, in turn, send their full list of confirmed names to the casting director so he knows who to expect from each agency. This keeps out any crashers (models that heard about the go-see but were not called on it) from being admitted. It's now 5:00pm.

The next day is the go-see:

It's taking place at a rental space downtown on Bleeker St. between 3:30-5:00pm. All models have been instructed in the email I sent them to bring 2 comp cards; one for the ad agency rep to keep and one to be attached to the model's polaroid and sent to the client. All models should be dressed in soccer uniforms and be able to display simple soccer skills.

"Amy," the goalie, shows up at 3:20 and waits in a line of about 10 girls. The door opens at 3:30 and the line moves quickly. When she enters the waiting area she immediately signs in with her name and agency contact information, which is the AGENCY OF RECORD that I have sent her through. She waits until her name is called. When she enters the studio she greets the photographer and the photo assistant. She wants to win them both over because the photographer may be on the fence about her after she leaves; what the photo assistant says may influence him one way or the other.

"Amy," is asked her name. She is asked to give the assistant the 2 comp cards she brought with her. She will be asked to bounce the ball on her knee, kick it off the wall and then flip it up onto her foot. The photographer takes photos throughout the process. The photographer then thanks the model for coming and she is free to leave.

"Sylvia", who is the new model, shows up on the heels of Amy and is next in line. She goes through the same process.

"Karen" shows up at 4:00pm and has to wait 45 minutes before finally being seen.

"Betty" got stuck in traffic. Her mom decided not to take her out of school early, so she didn't leave central NJ until 3:00. She gets stuck behind an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike and she doesn't make it to the go-see until 4:50, at which time they have already closed the doors because there are 10 more girls ahead of her still waiting to be seen. Betty's mom learns to leave earlier next time.

Every single go-see is different. Each client and/or product is different, each model fee & usage is different, each casting director & photographer is different, each go-see location is different. I cannot predict what will happen at any go-see.

Questions like 'How many models are going?' and 'Will they close early?' and 'How long will it take?' are impossible to answer.

I can only rely on my 20 years of experience, which tells me that if it's a general go-see with a wide age range of models being booked it will be crowded so get there early. If there are several different types of characters being booked for one ad, even if it's a limited go-see, it will probably still turn into a cattle call so get there early. If it's by request only, it won't close early, but it WILL close on time, so don't push your luck. If it's by appointment only, get there a few minutes ahead of your appointment time so that they don't skip you if you show up a minute or 2 late.

I will always tell you what your child should wear to their go-sees. It's usually a clean, neat GAP type of look unless specified otherwise. That means clean jeans or khakis, clean sneakers and a solid, bright colored shirt. Avoid all black or all white and any busy patterns. None of that shows up well in a polaroid and it distracts from the model's face.

A child should never be wearing any makeup to a go-see. Teenage girls should not have more then the lightest base & lip gloss on. The photographer wants to know what he/she has to work with. If the teen's face is so broken out that they need to cake on layers of cover-up, then it's time to book out for a while and see a dermatologist until their acne clears up.

A: As I mentioned, every go-see is different. That also pertains to when we find out if we booked the job.

In the Nike go-see scenario, the go-see was taking place on Friday and the shoot was Tuesday. That means on Monday they will be contacting the agency that booked the job.

Another client may schedule a shoot weeks after the go-see, or they may not even know at the time of the go-see when the shoot will be taking place. This simply means that they are doing things in the order that works best for them: Take a look at some models, choose a location and then schedule the shoot, for example.

We might get a call the day after a go-see to put a model on tentative (see: "What's a tentative?") or we may get a call weeks later. More then once I've called models and said "Remember that huge cattle call you went on last month? Well, they finally made a decision and want to put your child on tentative."

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Clients ONLY call if they are interested in booking a model. They do NOT call to let agents know that they are NOT booking their models. Nor do they call to give personal feedback on each model they saw. The modeling industry is simply too busy for a client to stop everything in order to give constructive reviews of each models 'performance' at a go-see. Once the go-see is over it's on to the next step if the ad agency wants to get the ad shot and distributed in time.

A: A TENTATIVE is also known as a TENTATIVE HOLD or BEING PUT ON HOLD. That means the client has narrowed down his choices to several models. This does not mean any of these models are booked yet; it's simply means 1 of them will be.

The models put on tentative are given the shoot date and need to keep that date open for a possible booking. Once the client knows all his choices are holding tentative, then he will make his final decision.

Sometimes, only 1 model is put on tentative. In a case like that, the model is usually put on hold for several days. The delay in booking is because the client doesn't know which day the shoot will occur.

If a model is on tentative for a job and another tentative comes in for the same day, they take what is called a SECONDARY HOLD. The client that has the model on hold first will be given the choice of 'Book or Release'. This is the type of problem all models like to have. It's up to the manager to make the best possible choice when there are 2 clients vying for the same model. Sometimes, with some juggling, both jobs can be shot on the same day. This is particularly true for children, who usually only shoot a few hours anyway.

A: If something comes up for a tentative shoot day that does not involve modeling, please contact my office immediately. Once a tentative has been accepted it's virtually impossible to back out. The stylist is already buying the wardrobe to fit the particular models on hold (immediately returning all but the clothes for the model booked) and contracts are already being gone over with a fine tooth comb.

You do NOT want to call me back hours later to say you thought your husband would be able to take your daughter on Wednesday, but it seems he won't be able to get out of work that day. These are things that need to be ironed out by you BEFORE a tentative is accepted.

Usually we know the shoot date when we give you the go-see, so that helps with your preplanning. But if we only find out when the model is put on tentative, don't let your emotions get the best of you and immediately say "Yes!" without looking at a calendar and confirming who will be taking the child if they book the job. Only THEN can we call back the client, or agency of record, and accept the tentative.

A: The model, who is already holding TENTATIVE, now receives a confirmed BOOKING. That means they are definitely shooting the ad and can safely tell friends and relatives the good news!

That being said, you will now receive full booking information from my office. That includes the following:

~ The shoot date

~ The call time (what time the model needs to be on set)

~ Where the shoot is taking place and whether the model is to go to the studio or, if the shoot is on location, if there will be a van taking everyone.

~ If there is any wardrobe that the model needs to bring, other then what the stylist has bought for them (sometimes the stylist will request a model's phone number to talk to the adult model or parent directly about wardrobe).

~ How a female model's hair should be styled, if there isn't going to be a hair stylist on set.

~ How much the model is getting paid, which includes the hourly rate or the session rate if the shoot is paying a flat fee. It will also include the bonus usage fee, if there is one.

~ How the ad is being used, whether it's a national ad, a local ad, a trade ad, a circular, a coupon, a direct mail piece, collateral or on the Internet. It may even be a cover shot or editorial piece (see: "What are the different types of modeling?").

~ All the information that needs to be written on the VOUCHER by the adult model or parent (see: "What is a voucher?")

IMPORTANT! If I do not receive a completely filled out voucher from you, signed by the CLIENT (or the client's representative on set), the model cannot get paid. PLEASE read through the Q&A regarding voucher information carefully.

And PLEASE always arrive 10-15 minutes early for all bookings. If you are not there at least 5 minutes before the call time I will receive a phone call asking where you are. They want to start SHOOTING at the call time, not watch you wander through the door and begin sorting through the wardrobe with the stylist. In the modeling world, showing up on time for a booking means you're already late!

A: A VOUCHER is a legal document that a model is required to bring with them to every photo shoot. It is proof that they did the job. Without this proof a model CANNOT and WILL NOT get paid.

Think of a voucher like a time card: At some types of jobs, if you don't punch in and out with a time card you don't get paid. The same goes with a voucher. If you don't fill it out and get it signed on set, you don't get paid.

A voucher comes with 3 sheets: The white sheet on top and 2 carbon copies underneath, a pink sheet and a yellow sheet.

A voucher needs to be fully filled out by the end of the photo shoot. It is the MODEL'S JOB to fill out the voucher; it is NOT the responsibility of the client or the photographer.

Here is what you will find on a voucher:

Invoice To:
Address:
Attention:
Model:
Photographer:

Product:
P.O. / Job#:
Booking Date:
Start Time:
End Time:
Hours Overtime:

Session Rate:
Overtime Rate:
Bonus Rate:
Time Limit:
Usage Area:

Session Total:
Usage Fee:
Service Fee:
TOTAL:

Client's Representative (signature)_________________
Model's Signature (Parent's signature if they are under 18)______________________

If the model doesn't bring a voucher to a booking, or doesn't fill it out properly, then they won't get paid. That would suit the client just fine; it would save them money since there will be no legal document saying they have to pay for the model's services.

A new voucher is used for each booking. One starter voucher is included in each model's acceptance package. After their first booking, the model should contact our office to have additional vouchers mailed to them for future bookings.

I will supply every working model with all the information they need to put on their voucher for each job that they book. It is best if the model fills out all the pertinent information prior to the shoot.

At the end of the shoot, the model will need to fill in the END TIME. Then they will need to sign where it says MODEL'S SIGNATURE.

Last, and MOST importantly, they need to get the client or the client's representative (which is sometimes the photographer himself) to sign where it says CLIENT'S REPRESENTATIVE. Without this signature the voucher is null & void.

This is a legal document. NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 SHOULD EVER FILL OUT OR SIGN A VOUCHER!!!! A parent or guardian needs to sign on behalf of the underage model. If anyone under the age of 18 signs the voucher, it becomes null & void.

Once the booking is done, and the voucher is fully filled out -- including the END TIME and SIGNATURES -- then the model will TEAR OFF THE BOTTOM COPY AND HAND IT TO THE CLIENT. That is the pink copy.

Next, the model will TEAR OFF THE TOP COPY AND MAIL IT TO LARKIN MODEL MANAGEMENT. That is the white copy, with the original ink. We need the original ink signature in case we need to take the client to court for lack of payment. A carbon copy is not valid evidence.

Models keep the yellow copy for their own records.

The yellow & pink carbon copies are interchangeable. The white copy is NOT.

Please mail our copy of the voucher as soon after the booking as possible. The client cannot be invoiced until we receive the white copy of the voucher. DO NOT FAX IT! Without the original signature the voucher is not valid.

A: The 2 main types of modeling are FASHION and COMMERCIAL PRINT.

You can easily tell the difference by asking yourself: "Is that product something I wish I could afford or is it something that I really want & need?"

FASHION is furs, designer dresses, cosmetics, anything that screams glamour!

COMMERCIAL PRINT is literally what it sounds like; a printed version of a commercial. If you see it advertised on TV, most likely you will see it in a printed ad as well.

Commercial print products are every-day needs & wants, from milk to medicine. If it's on your grocery list, it's a commercial print product. If your child absolutely has to have one for Christmas, it's a commercial print product.

Commercial print models come in all shapes & sizes. They are the idealized version of the person next door -- The happy blonde mom, the freckle-faced kid, the healthy grandpa. They are not an airbrushed fantasy. They are someone that the average consumer can relate to, and therefore, will tend to buy products that use that model's image.

Since Larkin Model Management represents commercial print models, I will focus on the various types of print model jobs our models book:

ANNUAL REPORT: When a model's image is used in the yearly report made by a company at the close of the fiscal year, stating the company's receipts and disbursements, assets and liabilities.

BILLBOARDS/OUT OF HOME: When a model's image is used on a large panel that carries outdoor advertising, usually found alongside of highways.

BROCHURE: When a model's image is used in a folded leaflet advertising a product or promotional a message.

CATALOG: When a model's image is used in an illustrated booklet listing products or services available to the consumer via the mail.

COLLATERAL: When a model's image is used in printed materials that describe a business and its products and services. Marketing collateral includes brochures, newsletters, fact sheets, press releases, and other printed materials produced by or for an organization.

DIRECT MAIL: When a model's image is used in a brochure, advertisement, or other printed marketing material delivered directly to the consumer through the mail or a private delivery company.

EDITORIAL: When a model's image is used to illustrate a magazine or newspaper article or is used on a magazine cover.

FIT MODELING: When a model has the perfect proportions for a given clothing size. Garment manufactures and designers hire fit models to use as living mannequins in order to piece together new creations to see how they hang on the body & move.

FSI (Free Standing Insert): When a model's image is used in a preprinted advertisement in single- or multiple-page form that is inserted loose into newspapers, particularly Sunday editions and supplements.

NATIONAL ADS: When a model's image is used in print ads for consumer products that appear in national consumer magazines & newspapers.

INSTORE POSTERS/INSTORE SIGNAGE: When a model's image is used on a poster display within a store to promote a product.

INTERNET/WEBSITE: When a model's image is used on the Internet and/or on a company's Website to promote a product or service.

KIOSKS: When a model's image is used on a self-contained, freestanding structure located in a shopping center, a mall or other public area from which merchandise is sold.

PACKAGING: When a model's image is used on the outside of a product package.

PACKAGING INSERT: When a model's image is used on printed materials or instructions within a product package.

POP/POS (Point Of Purchase/Point Of Sale): When a model's image is used on signage that advertises a product and is located where payment for goods or services takes place.

PUBLIC RELATIONS/PROMOTIONAL AD: When a model's image is used in a variety of printed material designed to promote and/or protect a company's image or its individual products.

REGIONAL/LOCAL ADS: When a model's image is used in print ads for consumer products that appear in regional or local magazines & newspapers.

TEXT BOOK: When a model's image is used in a school text book.

TRADE AD: When a model's image is used in a magazine or other printed material that is published for and read by members of a particular trade group.

TRANSIT POSTERS: A model's image used on a poster size advertisement usually found in or on trains & buses as well as in train stations, on bus shelters and in airports.

Every job a model books is different. Each client, each photographer, each product and each usage is different. Different clients work with different ad agencies and they all have different budgets.

When models goes on a go-see, they might be given full information about the job upfront, but sometimes the usage and budget are still in negotiation at that point. If that is the case, I will tell them "Specifics To Be Determined." No job gets booked until the usage and rate has been agreed upon and relayed to the model.

A: Though it is not our primary focus, we do occasionally receive auditions for TV commercials. Some of our models are trained actors, so we will send them on the appropriate auditions if they are not already signed exclusive with an on-camera talent agency.

If a child model wishes to expand their career into the world of TV commercials, that's great! The best commercial print models are trained actors. Please note that I said "TRAINED" actors; that is because acting skills and experience are required before your child can start going out on commercial auditions.

They will be competing for jobs against other children who have already booked many previous commercials, performed on Broadway and have appeared on soap operas, TV shows and in films. Some of these kids have literally grown up in front of the camera, appearing in commercials from Pampers to Pop Tarts, and make quite a lucrative living.

To have a career in TV commercials, your child needs to first take acting classes. If they just want to just do commercials, they can take a class that focuses specifically on that one media. They will learn to slate, read copy, perform cold copy, speak clearly and emote, as well as show various emotions on cue. They should also learn at least 2 different types of commercial copy and have a 3 minute monologue ready to go.

If you are located in central or northern NJ, a place you want to check out is TV TALENT IN MONTCLAIR (www.tvtalentmontclair.com). TV Talent has an on-camera acting curriculum offering a wide range of classes for kids to teens. The goal of TV Talent is to train, develop, and prepare students for professional careers in TV commercials, soaps, series, news reporting, hosting and film. They have classes for children ranging in age from 8-17 years old.

In NYC, the 'Theater Capital of the World', there are literally hundreds of places to take classes. Just one example is WEIST BARRON STUDIOS (www.weistbarron.com), but their classes fill up fast.

If you want more personal coaching, you can't do any better then JOAN STEPHENS ACTING WORKSHOPS (212-288-0544). Sessions are available ranging from "one on one" audition preparation, to group sessions, short-term programs, crash courses and remedial sessions. Incidentally, Joan's specialty is transforming models into actors!

You can also check your local or regional newspaper or community calendar for classes.

In addition, your child should be obtaining hands-on acting experience by performing in school plays and community theater productions. This not only helps build their resume, it also helps them become a better actor. Again, your local or regional newspaper will list auditions in your area.

For those of you in NJ, The Star-Ledger lists community theater auditions in the Sunday paper. There is also a professional trade publication called Back Stage (www.backstage.com), which lists auditions for TV, film & theater as well as acting classes. Back Stage is a necessary tool for all working actors.

Your child doesn't need to recite Shakespeare like Olivier, but without at least simple, basic on-camera training they cannot expect to be sent out for on-camera commercial auditions.

A: There are no set model rates or bonus fees since each job is built from the ground up, however there are basic guidelines that are generally followed. You will find that editorial pieces and magazine covers pay the least of all modeling jobs and that pharmaceutical national print ads pay the most. Everything else falls in between.

To give you a rough idea on basic hourly model rates:

A 0-9 year old child will usually make $50-$100/hr.

A 10-14 year old will make $75-$100/hr.

A 15-17 year old will make $90-$125/hr.

An adult, 18+ years old, will make $100-$250/hr.

The hourly rates fluctuate depending on the budget each individual ad is given by the art buyer. Bonus fees for high consumer usages may also be part of the negotiation. Also, some jobs are booked with a flat session rate instead of an hourly rate.

If the model's image is being used for a school book, a catalogue, a brochure, a local newspaper ad, collateral, or any other "low profile" usage, there are no additional bonus fees.

If, however, the usage is for a national magazine, a billboard, product packaging, transit poster, Website or any other "high profile" usage, an area that is seen by a very large number of consumers, then bonus fees are usually added on top of the session fee.

Bonus fees are paid to compensate for any loss of work that the model experiences due to conflicting products. These bonus fees are only paid to models that are recognizable in the ad, not if it's the back of their head or if they are a blur in the background.

The higher the product profile, the higher the bonus fee.

These fees run anywhere from paying an additional hourly rate on top of the session fee to $2,000 or more on top of the session fee, depending on where the ad is running.

The bonus rates also depend on how long the ad will be running: 1 x use, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years or unlimited time.

A: When a model books a job the agent or manager invoices the client for payment. The client then has up to 90 days from the invoice date to pay. And remember, the job can't be invoiced until we receive the voucher from the model. So the quicker the model mails the voucher to us, the quicker the job can be invoiced and the quicker the model gets paid.

Why do they have 90 days to pay? Most companies have a 45 day billing cycle. This means that they pay their vendors every 45 days.

The agent or manager, whoever is invoicing for the job, is the vendor. If the client wants to pay the photographer for the whole shoot, saving themselves extra paperwork, then the photographer will be invoicing the client, and the agent or manager will, in turn, invoice the photographer.

You are now dealing with the client's 45 day billing cycle AND the photographer's 45 day billing cycle, totaling 90 days.

Sometimes the timing of the invoice works out so well that the talent is paid within the month. Sometimes it takes the full 3 months.

When does the talent receive the check? If it has to go through an agency first there is a bit more time added on, usually a week. This is because the check has to clear at the bank (4 days) and then the comptroller (bookkeeper) has to cut a check to the manager.

Some agencies have a full-time comptroller and some have one in only once a week. Once the manager receives the check, and it clears after 4 days, then a check is sent to the model.

A: Once the manager receives the check, a 15% commission fee is taken out for services rendered. If the job was booked through an agent, then the agency will take its 20% commission fee as well.

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME AN AGENT OR MANAGER RECEIVES ANY MONEY FROM YOU.

See "What is the difference between a manager and an agent?" above for additional information.

A: NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 SHOULD BE CALLING OR EMAILING THIS OFFICE!

If a teenager wants to discuss what sort of wardrobe to wear to a go-see or a child wants to tell me about his booking, that's fine. However, no child model should be contacting us directly in regard to representation, go-sees, tentatives or bookings. Those calls or emails should be coming from a parent or guardian.

This office should be treated no differently than you would treat your child's pediatrician or school teacher. A child would never contact their doctor to make their own appointments or get their test results, just like they should not be contacting us to obtain representation or find out if a job has been booked.

PARENTS: DO NOT FORWARD JOKES OR CHAIN MAIL TO OUR EMAIL ADDRESS!

Can you imagine having your child's dentist on your buddy list and forwarding jokes about a priest and an Rabbi walking into a bar? Then why would you think my office needs to see that?

I work on the computer 12-14 hour days, including weekends, trying to obtain jobs for my models. Go-sees, castings and photo submissions are all done via computer, both coming in and going out to the clients, casting directors, agencies and models. Every morning I have approximately 200 new pieces of work email to go through before my day even begins. I do not want or need extra, useless junk in my inbox.

Save the Internet jokes for your friends and family. This is a business and we expect a level of respect.

A: A CHILD MODEL WORK PERMIT IS REQUIRED BY LAW IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR WORKING MODELS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD. A child model work permit is not needed when working in the State of New Jersey.

Some NY clients may not ask if the model has a permit when booking a minor simply because they are not familiar with the law, which was enacted in 2004. But their numbers are dwindling as more become aware. Since it takes several weeks to obtain a child model permit it's best to get it before your child gets hired for a job.

REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING CHILD MODEL PERMITS
From The New York City Department Of Education

Getting Started:

In New York State child model permits are issued to minors less then 18 years of age who wish to engage in the occupation of a child model (print work only).

An application for employment is obtained from the New York City Department Of Education.

The application can be obtained by email, U.S. mail, fax OR in person:

NYC Department Of Education / Child Model Permits
52 Chambers Street, Room 218 (Office Of Attendance)
New York, NY 10007
Tel # 212-374-6095
Fax # 212-374-5751

If you are going in person, the office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:00am - 4:00pm only.

If you request an application to be sent to you via mail, please allow 2 weeks for it to arrive and then, once you mail it back, another 2 weeks for the permit to be processed and sent back to you.

If you call and ask for it to be faxed to you please allow 2 weeks from mailing it in to them for it to be processed and mailed back to you.

CHILD MODELS UNDER 12 YEARS OLD CAN APPLY BY MAIL. CHILD MODELS 12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER MUST APPLY IN PERSON WITH THEIR PARENT!

What You'll Need:

Once you have completed the application, you will need the following documents:

1. Birth Certificate (U.S. or Foreign) Substitutions - Passport OR Driver's License OR Non-Driver's License State-Issued I.D. Card OR Immigration and Naturalization Card (Green Card)
2. Social Security Card
3. Doctor's Note -- Must be an original -- Must be on doctor's letterhead -- Must say child is physically fit and/or physically fit to model
4. An Original Letter From The Applicant's School stating that the child is registered and attending OR a Current Report Card (copy of report card if applying by mail). A letter from the applicant's school is not needed when applying during the summer.
5. 
   * You can send copies of the Birth Certificate and the Social Security Card if applying by mail, if the model is under 12 years old. If applying by mail please include two 41-cent postage stamps.

A Coogan Bank Account/Blocked Trust Account

A Coogan account, as it is known as on the West Coast, is required for all working child actors and several years ago became a requirement in New York for CHILD MODELS as well.

A Coogan Account is named for former child actor Jackie Coogan whose parents spent all of his earnings on themselves. The account is commonly known as a Blocked Trust Account on the East Coast. It is an account in which no person can remove any funds until the child reaches 18 years of age.

To protect the child performer's earnings, it is the employer's responsibility (the payroll company or the accounting department of the ad agency) to remit 15% of the minor performer's wages directly to the Coogan/Blocked Trust Account.

UTMA, UGMA compliant accounts (a.k.a. Custodian accounts) or Blocked Trust accounts will all meet the trust account requirements. Coogan Trust Accounts established in California will also be acceptable. While a host of banks are familiar with UTMA and UGMA accounts, the Actors Federal Credit Union is fully prepared to open Blocked Trust Accounts.

For more information regarding child trust accounts:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/secure/child/cp_trusts.shtm