What do casting directors look for in a child's resume?

What do casting directors look for in a child's resume?

Gabrielle Schary (Casting Director) gives expert video advice on: What type of child can succeed in an acting career?; Are certain 'looks' in child actors easier to cast?; Does a child need to have perfect looks to succeed as an actor? and more...

If we're looking for a specific skill, we look for those skills on the resume. If we're looking for a child who needs to be able to take direction, then we'll look for any plays they've been in. We will also look if they have had any coaching, and any previous work they've been involved in, so that we understand that they've been in front of the camera, and not just here for Mom and Dad. This means that they've actually been in front of the camera, been asked to stand somewhere for twenty minutes, and then moved somewhere and do something for twenty minutes. Are they directional or not, do they take direction, and that's what we'll look for on those. By in large, it's really the look, unless you're going for specific action, you just really want a personality.