Advice (Frequently Asked Questions)    
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What type of work should the children with Starlightz Kidz expect?


Roughly 50% of our child model work are TV commercials, with the remainder being photographic
modelling for fashion catalogues. We have child performance contracts with clients and also have
long-standing working relationships with Production Companies, Advertising Agencies,
Casting Directors in SA.



What makes Starlightz Kidz different to the other agencies?


1. We currently do castings in Cape Town.
2. Starlightz Kidz is one of the only agencies in South Africa with an online database of kids served on
its own website.
3. Each baby,kid & teen get's their own unique webpage with all their photos and details.
4.Starlightz Kidz are entitled to go to TV commercial,Fashion Catalogue & Film Castings.
5.Starlightz Kidz are invited to attend closed castings,exclusively held for Starlightz members only.
6.Professional Service Guaranteed!
7.Great Jobs!





How do I apply to join Starlightz Kidz Agency?


1.When you register to join Starlightz Kidz, we ask that you complete the online registration form or
download
it ,print and fax it through to Starlightz Kidz.(You must have a cellphone number in order
to register with Starlightz.Parents are notified about all Castings via SMS.)
2.Submit 3 photos(headshots) of your child.The shots taken should display the face shape, frame size
and confidence of a child. They needn't be professional photos.
3.Payment for kids(0-16yrs) is of R100,This amount must be received in full & proof faxed to 0866409514
or emailed to
info@starlightzcasting.com .You will receive confirmation of our having received your
application,photos & payment via email.

BANK DETAILS:
BANK: NEDBANK
BRANCH CODE: 106909
A/C no: 1069 367885


What happens next?

Once Starlightz Kidz has completed the necessary amendments to your shots, we use these pictures
as a reference for ourselves and for our clients. We also distribute them to these clients upon request.
We will then include the child in our online Casting Directory. This directory is viewed mainly by Casting Directors,Production Companies & Advertising Agencies.It should be stressed that no agency can
guarantee work for any child on their books. Our policy, however, is to represent and promote your child
in the best ways possible .Please note that Starlightz Kidz do not charge any annual registration fee to be
with the agency. There is no fee payable for assessment only.

Starlightz Kidz Casting agency is fully equipped to present kidz by way of header-sheets,email and also
online through our website. This way your child's details can be updated as and when necessary
throughout the year, so keeping the client informed of their progress and thus avoiding any unnecessary
commercial castings for children that have changed somewhat .Clients are increasingly using the internet
for accessing casting databases,when searching for children.This technology enables us to access a far
greater volume of clients for your child, both locally and internationally. Please note that we exercise
the strictest of security measures when taking bookings for children through our website and that generally
the site is used as an up-to-date reference for our already established clients. We also do not display
any details other than first name(no surnames),age, height, hair colour etc. Should you have any concerns
about this facility please speak to us.



How does Starlightz Kidz operate?

Starlightz Kidz's represents,promotes and arranges details of jobs.We liaise on your child's behalf, with
our clients.Once your child has completed a shoot,we will invoice clients and as soon as payment has
been received, we pay you.We only issue payment upon receipt of client's payments. For these reasons
the agency deducts a commission on all monies earned.



How do Castings work?


It's quite simple.We receive a brief from the client for a specific job, together with audition and
venue details. We submit a child's photos, or selection of children's photos that meet the criteria. Upon
confirmation from the client, we then call that child's parent/guardian with this information and confirm
their attendance. We will tell you of any particular dresscode that has been stipulated, which product
the casting is for and the exact times and dates for when you will be required for the shoot, should your
child be successful. All parents must keep to the arranged casting times. After the casting,you need to do
nothing else.The client will never call you directly,they will call the agency to book a child for a job.The
selection for any part is not made by Starlightz , it's always made by the client and their decision is
seldom made on the day of the casting.It can take several days before final selections are made.Our
duty as an agency is to provide suitable children who fit the specifications given to us by the client.



What must my child wear to a casting?

We will always tell you prior to the casting,what your kid must wear.
Avoid solid whites, luminous colours,
and busy patterns. They should wear comfortable clothes in solid colours (blue/red/green) or neutral colors.
They should be able to move around without feeling constrained. If they do not feel comfortable in their
clothing, it will show.

Boys hair should be kept as long as possible. Remember longer hair can be styled in many ways to change
your kids appearance!
Girls hair should be kept long in length.


What happens when my child gets chosen for the shoot ?

There is often very little notice given to the agency when your child is booked.We should have your correct
details on file so we can call you at any time.It's imperative that you notify us of new cellphone numbers.We
will always try to give you as much notice as possible. We will give you full details of the location ,calltime &
dresscode as soon as we have been given them.If you do not arrive on set,after being booked for the shoot,
we will immediately take your child off our books .A shoot can vary in length,but it's important that you make
yourself available for the entire day ,freeing yourself of all work commitments & appointments.If you need to
arrange a babysitter for your other kids,do this beforehand. After completing the shoot,make sure that you
always sign the release form/timesheet that is issued to you by the Production Company on that day. Castings
and shoots for school age children are normally arranged outside of school hours.Do not go to a casting if you
know you are going away on vacation soonafter.It is your duty as a parent to inform us that you will be away for
the shoot dates.



How much can my child earn?


The amount your child earns for a job ,depends entirely on whether the work is for a print ad, a fashion shoot,
a tv commercial,in a lead role,as a walk on or as a background extra.Pay for shoots varies, from R450 to the
thousands.If you are the type of parent who complains when we tell you your child will receive R1000 for a
shoot and you as a parent "personally earn R500 p/hr in your job",then do not register your kids with our
agency.We would rather deal with parents who appreciate the casting service we offer.

How does payment work?

We must inform you that some clients take up to 3 months to settle their accounts, however invoices from
Starlightz ask for a 60 day payment.(You never pay a casting director to cast your child,they are employed
by Production Companies.)You do not get paid to go to castings,you only get paid if you are chosen to be in
a shoot. Parent's do not receive money to be on set with their child,only the performer(child) receives
compensation. Blackmailing Starlightz for higher fees,or failing to show up on set,after you have agreed to the
job is unacceptable.Your child will be blacklisted throughout the industry from doing further work.



When should I update my child's photos and details?

Call the office at the beginning of each month with any changes to the measurements of your child for our
database. Parents of younger children & babies should also email updated shots as soon as you notice any
significant changes in your kids appearance.Do not wait for us to contact you for updated pics,please use
your own discretion.



PLEASE ADHERE TO THESE BASIC RULES!

1. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you arrive at jobs and castings ON TIME .Please make sure children arrive
looking presentable with clean hair ,face,clothes and wearing shoes.

2. Only one parent/guardian may accompany a child onto set. Studios and private shoot locations,such as
residential properties,have a limited amount of space and too many extra people get in the way.

3. If your child is ill and cannot make it to a casting or job you MUST let us know immediately. Our answering
machine is on all the time when the office is unattended and there is an emergency cellphone number for your
convenience should it be necessary to speak to us in person.

4. Should any child be forwarded for work with Starlightz Kidz before a parent has decided to proceed with joining
the agency, work which is then accepted and attended, Starlightz Kidz then reserves the right to claim any fees
earned by that child in the event that the parent then decides not to proceed with joining. Fees that are earned
by a child who, is not with the agency, will be paid toward the child's inclusion on the agency's books, which
will include website, and header sheets, with any remaining monies being sent to the child thereafter.

5. If whilst on set/at casting ,a relative or friend of the applicant/performer is asked to participate/perform/act in
the shoot ,that friend/relative will automatically be represented by Starlightz and all payments will be made through Starlightz.Failure to comply with this rule will result in legal action.

6. Call us after every job with times worked as most shoots are open-ended (excluding castings ).Ensure that you
always complete the release form / timesheet that will be issued to you that day.

7. Take snacks/drinks/food along for your child. Do not rely on clients to feed you on jobs although most of them do
if you are booked all day .Clients cannot be expected to supply food for babies & kids/chaperones with special dietary needs.

8.Please take along books/games etc. to keep your child occupied. There may be long gaps between shots and they
could become bored.Take along a pram for your baby,extra nappies and warm blanket.

9. Please remember, it is each parent's responsibility to look after his or her child at a shoot. It is also their
responsibility to ensure that they behave themselves properly as poor conduct could result in the loss of future
contracts for you and Starlightz Kidz.

10.Always inform us of the following: New sizes/heights,New shoe sizes, New hair cuts, Braces on teeth,Vacation dates,Exam times, information regarding babies development / or anything you may feel is relevant to us.

11.Starlightz Kidz reserves the right to remove anyone from our database.Starlightz Kidz are known in the industry for displaying highly accurate details of all of their children. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that the agency are provided with up-to-date details, including photographs of their child,contact details like new cellphone numbers. An administration fee will be applicable for those wishing to be replaced after having been removed for this reason.

12.Poor, or rude conduct displayed by any parent toward any client, other child/parent at audition, or Starlightz Kidz agency member,blackmail by parents for higher rates,would also fall within this 'right to remove' category.
The agency's decision is final.


 



   

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