Kids in the Biz - a Hollywood Handbook for Parents

You've heard the horror stories about stage parents fumbling away their child's career through ill-informed decisions or alienating their children from the industry by being behind-the-scenes tyrants. So how do you avoid becoming that stage parent while keeping your child happy, healthy, and working? Troy Rutter has helped establish some of Hollywood's best-known child actors, and in Kids in the Biz, he tells you exactly how to concentrate on getting your kid that big break without breaking up your family life.

Kids in the Biz walks you through the entire process of building your youngster's acting career—from local commercial work, to getting an agent, to getting into Hollywood. Each step of the way Rutter gives you industry-smart advice and psychological insights to help you make decisions that build a resume and avoid burnout. Perhaps most important of all, he focuses a chapter on the often tricky financial workings of the acting business, giving you real-world facts and figures about how much your child can really expect to make in show business and how you can safeguard their earnings by avoiding scams. Plus, he includes examples of all the forms, contracts, letters, and other documents you'll need to get going, make connections, and support your child's career.

So whether you think that your son's smile would be perfect for television or that Hollywood should bronze your daughter's star for the Walk of Fame today, read Kids in the Biz before your family takes that first step into the world of child acting.

To purchase, click here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Troy Rutter has been working with young performers in film and television since 1995, including Mason Gamble (Dennis the Menace), Kevin Zegers (Air Bud), Eric Lloyd (The Santa Clause), Wil Horneff (The Sandlot), Kay Panabaker (Summerland), and the musical group The Moffatts. He has served on nominating committees for both the Young Artist Awards and the Hollywood Reporter YoungStar Awards and continues to work with a variety of young actors, actresses, and musical acts as well as various charities in the Los Angeles area. He currently divides his time between LA and his home town of Ames, Iowa.