If you have ever been curious about putting your child into modeling or acting, read on. We've got the inside scoop from Macaroni Mom and Oradell resident Heather Corrigan whose children Jack (age 10) and Sienna (age 6) have found success modeling and acting at an early age.
Spoiler alert: it requires more than just a pretty face.
Spoiler alert: it requires more than just a pretty face.
Jack has regular appearances as a 1920s boy in the movie Wonderstruck, starring Julianne Moore.
Behind the scenes with Sienna for a Sam's Club Commercial.Watch Sienna in a Sam's Club commercial here.
1. How did Jack and Sienna get into modeling and acting?
Modeling is something I dabbled in when I was a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and I knew I always wanted it for my kids. I put my children in the industry at a very early age and started submitting photos of them as babies. I researched, networked, and got help from one of my best friends from high school who was a photographer and former model. She took pictures of my kids, gave me a few leads, and the rest is history.
2. What is the best advice you can give to families who want their child to model or act?
You need to be able to handle rejection and know that if your child is not picked it doesn't mean anything other than you never know what casting is looking for. The times you think you won't get the job are the times you will get it, and the times you think you have it in the bag, you won't. So just keep an open mind. Also, network, network, network. One of our best contacts is a company I work with directly whom I found by talking to another mom on set. She started to put my kids' names out there, we landed this one job, and now the kids do commercials for them on a regular basis.
3. What do the kids like about modeling/acting?
They get to miss school sometimes. They get to be on camera/film/print and meet interesting people. I really feel they are learning a certain skill set that can only be learned with these cool and unique experiences. They also love earning their own money, and they are learning at a young age the value of a dollar. In a world full of entitled children, I really feel they understand that they need to earn/work to have a nice life and afford things.
4. Most people only think about the glamorous side of child modeling and acting (beautiful images, fun photo shoot, being recognized on TV or print, income for college etc). As an "industry mom", what are some things about the industry that most people wouldn't know?
Many times the child is on set for 8 hours, sometimes not in the best conditions and early morning calls and late nights.
Frequently you are running into the city for auditions. You can get 2 call backs and still do not get the job.
Your child could get a direct booking where your agent will book a job, just based on your child's head shots, without a need for an audition. Those are the best!
Nowadays many auditions are being submitted electronically so you do not have to drive into Manhattan for an audition.
You need to be ready to drop everything and rearrange your schedule. You can get a call the day of the shoot that they want you on set, but most times you get at least a days notice.
5. How do you juggle a full time job in the city, volunteering at your kids school and managing the kids acting and modeling careers?
I get asked that about 72 times a day! And I have a few answers: 1) my husband is amazing and very supportive. We are truly a team. 2) I am good at scheduling things. I am not a last minute person and always have things planned out, which you would think is not conducive to this business. However, if you have a plan and the kids have to be on set the next day, you just move things around. 3) Google calendar/docs is my best friend! 4) I don't think I can imagine living any other way. 5) I may have adult ADD, but I think this helps contribute to my success. I am able to juggle many balls at once.
About Heather Corrigan
Heather is a mom of 2, an advertising executive at GoGorilla Marketing, and owner of the event planning company Heather's Heydayz. In her spare time she frequently volunteers her time for the Oradell Public School, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, speaking to marketing students, and at her temple where she was the recent recipient of a Hineni award. 
