Protecting Your Child Without Hurting Their Career
Hey Parents!
Matt’s piece last week about protecting young performers really stayed with me. After spending 30 years as a Talent Agent, I’ve seen this from another side of the table, and there’s something I really want parents to know:
You should never feel like protecting your child is going to cost them their career.
This is your child first. Actor second. Always.
And protecting them doesn’t mean you have to march onto set and confront someone every time something doesn’t feel right. One of the most important resources you have is your child’s representation.
Your Agent or Manager should be your ally.
Their job isn’t only to get your child auditions and negotiate contracts. They’re also there to help make sure your child is being taken care of and to help you navigate this industry when situations come up.
I used to tell my clients all the time:
“Call me and let me be the bad guy!” 😂
Seriously. That was part of my job.
✅ If something doesn’t feel right, call your rep.
If your child is uncomfortable, exhausted, overwhelmed, being asked to do something you’re unsure about, or something simply feels off—pick up the phone. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
✅ Let your Agent or Manager help you navigate it.
Sometimes there’s a simple solution. Other times, your rep may need to make a phone call to production. We know the players. We understand the politics. And sometimes it’s much easier for the Agent to say, “Hey, this isn’t okay. How are we going to fix it?” than for a parent or child to be put in that position.
That’s why I always said, let me be the bad guy.
✅ Professional does NOT mean silent.
We want kids who are prepared, hardworking and professional. But being professional does not mean working when you’re sick, being afraid to ask for water, pushing through when something hurts, or staying quiet when something makes you uncomfortable.
There is a huge difference between teaching resilience and teaching a child to ignore what their mind or body is telling them.
✅ Check in about more than the audition or booking.
Instead of always asking, “How did it go?” or “Do you think you booked it?” ask:
Did you have fun?
Did you feel comfortable?
Did you feel listened to?
Was there anything today that didn’t feel right?
Those answers can tell you so much more than whether they got a callback.
✅ Make sure your child knows you will always choose them over the job.
Tell them that now—not when there’s already a problem.
No Agent, Casting Director, Producer, Director, booking or opportunity is more important than their well-being. I spent my career wanting my young clients to succeed. Of course I wanted them to book! That’s how Agents make money. 😂
But I also needed parents to tell me the things I couldn’t see. Your Agent isn’t on set with your child. Your Manager isn’t in your home afterward. You know your child. If something changes, speak up. And if you don’t feel comfortable calling your child’s representation when something is wrong, that may be a sign that this isn’t the right relationship for your family.
I also believe we’re at an important moment for change.
There are conversations happening right now about how we can do better for young performers—and I think that’s a very good thing. But creating a safer, healthier industry for children isn’t one person’s responsibility.
It’s all of ours.
Parents. Agents. Managers. Casting Directors. Producers. Directors. Coaches. Teachers. Everyone who has the privilege of working with young performers. We have to communicate. We have to listen. We have to speak up when something isn’t right. And most importantly, we have to remember that the child standing in front of us is exactly that—a child. I absolutely believe children can have wonderful experiences working in this industry. I’ve watched it happen for decades.
But the goal can’t simply be to raise a working actor.
It has to be to raise a healthy kid who happens to love acting.
And if we all work together, I truly believe we can create an industry where kids can do what they love, build incredible careers, and be protected while they’re doing it.
Your Hollywood Guide,
Jenn Boyce
Creator of The Hollywood Prep,
Proudly Partnering with Minor Performer Alliance
