Topic : 03/06 To Be a Child Star

I'm angry that Dakota's mother would put her in that position. I lay alot of blame on Deborah Kampmeier the producer/director of the film. The director seems to have a fascination of child/teen rape. Her first film "Virgin" she glorified a 15 year old being drugged with roofies then raped. Without the teen's knowledge she thought she had an immaculate conception. Thats what's disturbing about Hollywood.People like her and Victor Salva (a convicted paedo from powder and Jeeper Creepers fame) will hide behind artistic license. It should be time for someone blackball these two and others like them from working.

I'm for the 1st admendment upto a certain point. when it comes to softcore child porn or grooming techniques in films. Thats where I draw the line.

Well you yourself have said you know they are trying to be nice. This seems to hurt you due to what happened to you as a child. So have some backbone and tactfully say to them you believe brains are more important than beauty. Tell them you are pleased she she has both but prefer not to focus on the outer beauty.

Tell them your feelings on pageants.  Oh and I feel pageants are BAD.

Please everyone do not lump pageants in with ligit acting. Also most child modeling schools/classes are NOT legit.

Please everyone if you feel acting is not for your family, then great. But it is right for mine. My child goes to a college prep/art school make A's and B's. IS going to college. She is down to earth, sweet, plays sports, does local work, charity work and huge movies too. She has a trust fund as well. No one in our family or her friends treat her any different than anyone else. She wouldn't have it any other way.  We do not nor will will use the word "Star". She has been a child working actor on and off for many years.

I can guarantee that God does NOT care if that girl is a country music star as much as He cares about her character.  Is she kind, honest, respectful, not a gossip, etc.? Does she know or is she learning how to put others first so that when she is a parent she can put her desires second to the needs of her babies?  Or is she learning that her career is the center of her world, and then when someone else in her life needs her to put them first, she may not be able to do so?

How many stars do we need, anyway?  A few dozen at most. And how many adults of good character do we need? Millions!

We live in South Jersey and are up in NYC or Philly for audition about every week or two.  My kids love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My son has been in an NBA Promo with Labron James, two national AMEX commericials, the pilot episode of Thirty Rock, his first movie, an independant film, Jack of Clubs as a principle character, and most recently, the two-week workshop for Shrek the Muical (which is set to debut in early 2008.  My daughter has been in two photo shoots, and an extra in the Jack of Clubs Movie.  WOW!!!!  THEY LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the difference between most stage moms and dads and myself and my husband is that it is all about the experience!  Yes, we have been on many audition that we have not been called back for.  When my kids get in front of a camera, their eyes dance!  It's about the fun!  My kids have been all over NYC!  They know what they like in time square, they have watched the ice skaters in the plaza, they have thier favorite places in little itlay!  They have seen ground zero and have as much understanding as a 10 and 7 year old can have about the whole disaster. Heck, we even have a favorite sushi place on 39th and the avenue of the americas!  While my son was in rehearsal last week, my daughter and I went to the largest build-a-bear in the world on 5th avenue(we had a gift certificate) and walked over to watch the ice skater!

My kids are still in public school and are maintaining honor roll grades, my son is a black belt in tae kwon do, my daughter a yellow belt.  He has recently started guitar lessons and loves the blues, she has started piano and also in liking the blues.  They still have chores they have to do, etc.

We belived by giving our kids the experieces that they are having, we are opening thier minds up that there is a big beautiful world out there that they can and do fit into!  When they don't get choosen for something, well, we are still quit positive about at least you tried!  And the only failure in life is not trying!

If there comes a day that they do not want to do it anymore, well, we stop!

We have met some wonderful people in the business and have had and are having some great experiences!

Michelle

"the only failure in life is not trying"       

   So true, well sad. Where would we be if people only stayed close to home, or only gave to their local area, or didn't try to advance?   What's so wrong with wanting to advance, or better yourself?   Where would this world be if when given the chance to grown and move up we didn't?  I teach my child to strive to do better in life than just average.

One other thing, we too believe that acting has to be fun. When the day comes it isn't we are out of here. 

I am so glad that I am not the only parent wanting great things for our kids!  I absolutly believe in helping our kids reach for the best they can!!!! 

thanks!

      I believe that making a child a star at too young of an age is bad. It seems to be more of a problem with the parents. A child at such a young age may not know what they want to do with there life. They'll get older there interests may change and they'll likely find something else to be passionate about. I seems parents are pushing, and putting pressure on children to be stars. Can't parents just let children be children.