Child Stars Kristy McNichol and Tatum O'Neal in "Little Darlings"

Actress and former child star Kristy McNichol, 49, has come out as a lesbian in an effort to help kids who are troubled by their sexuality and who are being bullied for being different.

 The former child star of 1980′s “Little Darlings,” and TV hits “Family” and “Empty Nest” dropped out of Hollywood and retired from acting in the 90′s after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now she’s reaching out via her publicist to announce her own sexuality in hopes that it will help bullied teens.

McNichol’s has been living with her partner Martie Allen for two decades and according to her publicist Jeff Ballard,”[She] is sad about kids being bullied. She hopes that [her] coming out can help kids who need support. She would like to help others who feel different.”

Source: People.com

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Dakota Fanning

Many readers are crying foul that a young actress, known best for films like Charlotte’s Web and Dr. Suess’ The Cat in the Hat, is on this cover next to headlines reading “His Best Sex Ever,” “Too Naughty To Stay Here: But You Have to Try This Sex Trick,” and “Um, Vagina Are You Okay Down There?” But in all fairness, she looks beautiful if not entirely age appropriate in a mostly-cleavage-covering pink sequin gown. Reminder – Fanning will become a legal adult soon as she celebrates her 18th birthday at the end of February 2012.

Fanning is still legally a minor though which is why some outlets are raising issue with the placement of a 17 year old on the cover of a magazine well-known for pushing the limits of adult female sexuality. For those of you who recall Miley Cyrus’ Vanity Fair photo shoot a few years back – this seems tame in comparison to me. Living in Los Angeles, I’ve seen more provocative dresses at high school proms. I think it’s the not so much the photo people are struggling with as the Fanning-Cosmo affiliation.

HMB Readers may recall that Fanning raised eyebrows in a perfume ad for Marc Jacobs’ perfume Oh, Lola! just a few months ago which was eventually banned in the UK for sexualizing a minor.

Click on the photo below to see Cosmo’s recap of Dakota’s red carpet looks throughout the years.

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Two child actors are making headlines via Twitter, one being 1990′s child star Alisan Porter (Parenthood, Curly Sue) and the other is aspiring child actor Damian Charles Hurley, none other than the prodigy of actress/model turned swimwear designer mom Elizabeth Hurley (Gossip Girl, Austin Powers).

Alisan Porter, a familiar face in the early to mid 1990′s, is in the news again after announcing via Twitter (@AlisanPorter) and via pictures on Instagram that she will become a mother for the first time in 2012; July 17, to be precise.

Nine Year old Damian on the other hand has just recently informed Elizabeth that he aspires to be a child star.

After her son spent the afternoon with Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively at Serendipity, Elizabeth posted to her Twitter feed (@ElizabethHurley): “Oh lord, my son is begging me to find him an agent so he can become a child actor.”

According to the U.K.’s Daily Mirror, Hurley reported ”I was going to wrap late, Blake had wrapped early, and Damian was on the set. She asked, ‘Can I take him out?’ And they went to the Serendipity ice cream parlor and had a big sundae and a hot chocolate.”  Don’t worry Elizabeth – it may just be the sugar talking.

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MONDAY

Kids scene study/on-camera class with Sara Wood

*ages 10 – 13

Ongoing class, starting January 9th, 2012
6pm – 8:30pm

$40.00 per class or$ 120.00 per consecutive 4 weeks or $300.00 per consecutive 12 weeks

*under age 10 by invitation only

TUESDAY

Kids ages 5 -8 with Coach Kara Amanda Smith

4pm – 5:30pm

~New 8 week session starts January 10th, 2012.  $200.00 for 8 weeks

THURSDAY 
Session starts on January 19th! Kid’s foundational class ages 8 – 10 with Kara Amanda Smith
4pm – 5:30 pm
$30.00 per class or $100.00 per 4 consecutive weeks

SATURDAY

Ages 13 -18 (starting January 7th, 2012)

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

$130.00 per month

For more information, call 818-224-7484

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Maggie Elizabeth Jones

Due to popular request, I am reposting this 11/9/2010 post on child actor Maggie Elizabeth Jones.

According to IMDB, Georgia Native Maggie Elizabeth Jones is the latest child actor to be cast in “We Bought a Zoo.” As HMB reported, Colin Ford was cast as Dylan Mee a few weeks ago.

While it’s unknown whether Maggie was cast through the open call process announced in an earlier post, it seems highly unlikely as both she and her older sister Mary-Charles Jones have a list of professional credits that far outnumber their years.

Maggie and Mary-Charles are currently cast as sisters Amy and Sara Warniker in the remake of “Footloose.“ According to their mother Angela: “Maggie and Mary-Charles are very excited about Footloose. They get to play sisters in the film and are cousins of the lead actor. Not only do they get to act they get to sing and dance too. Fun Fun!!”

Mary-Charles also has a recurring role as the young Miley Stewart on the hit Disney show Hannah Montana. She’s featured in two episodes (“Hannah Montana to the Principal’s Office” & “Sweet Home Hannah Montana”).

The girls, who come from a devoutly Christian family in Georgia, are both represented by Cindy Osbrink and J Pervis Talent Agency in Atlanta, GA.

Below is a Public Service Announcement Maggie did for Anger Prevention and Awareness.

Thanks to HMB Reader Sherry for the heads up on the casting. Confirming Sources: IMDB Pro, AMTC (Actors, Models and Talent for Christ)

Maggie Elizabeth and big sister Mary Charles at the premiere of "Footloose."

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• It can only be issued once for a minor.
• It is only available to minors at least 15 days old and under 16 years old.
• It is only available to a minor whose parent or guardian has not previously applied for an Entertainment Work Permit.
• It is only available to a minor who has not previously been issued an Entertainment Work Permit.
• Due to the medical certification required per California Labor Code Section 1308.8 for minors between 15 days and one month old; 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permits cannot be issued immediately for minors between 15 days and one month old. Following receipt and verification of the medical certification, the parent or guardian will receive an e-mail within one business day that the 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permit has been approved and is ready for printing.

Thank you to Hollywood Mom Lilli Bauer for scouting this information! For details go to the website at https://permits.dir.ca.gov/tewp/ 

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• Because there’s nothing cooler for Christmas than a flame tee in chili red!
• Tees are soft & comfy without sacrificing style
• 100% cotton for easy wash and wear

Bummas - Why do we love these colorful cloth wipes?

Baby Gourmet - The perfect choice for baby’s first Holiday dinner. Why?

• Baby Gourmet is made from much-loved family recipes & each batch is tasted to ensure perfection!
• Baby Gourmet is made with only the best, freshest, organic, kosher ingredients from around the world.
• The company has an unwavering commitment to quality.
• Slim pouch containers takes the hassle out of eating on the go and packaging is BPA free!
• As a Mom founded and owned company, every aspect of Baby Gourmet is overseen with the passionate and watchful eye of a mother.

Abela Designs - Baby’s First Christmas calls for baby’s first jewelry! Here’s why we’ve been charmed by these keepsake bracelets:

Not only blocks rock this year – Crayons rock too!  We love these rainbow-colored pebbles (Under $9 per set) and your kids will too.

• Pebble-like shape allows children to color in large, wide strokes while strengthening their tripod grip (which prepares little fingers for handwriting).
• Crayons are made from soy wax and colored with natural minerals, so they’re completely non-toxic.
• Made in USA!
• 16-Piece Set includes 16 different colors.

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Hollywood Mom Blog will be giving away an Exclusive We Bought A Zoo Gift Pack which includes the soundtrack, book and movie poster!  All you need to do to enter is leave a comment in the “Reply to” section below as to why you will be seeing this wonderful family film.

In Theaters Nationwide December 23, 2011

We Bought A Zoo (Rated PG) – This holiday season, acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) directs an amazing and true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, the family works to return the dilapidated zoo to its former wonder and glory.

The film stars Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Colin Ford and John Michael Higgins and is based off of Benjamin Mee’s novel of the same name.

GIVEAWAY
From December 12-23, 2011, you can enter to win a We Bought A Zoo Gift Pack which includes the soundtrack, book and movie poster! Enter the giveaway NOW for your chance to score some great We Bought A Zoo prizes!

Follow We Bought A Zoo –

FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/WBZgiveawayFB
TWITTER: http://bit.ly/WBZ_giveawayTwitter
YOUTUBE: http://bit.ly/WBZgiveawayYT

Prizes: We Bought A Zoo CDs, Books & Posters
Number of prizes: One (1) Prize Pack
Estimated Value: $35
Giveaway start date: December 12, 2011
Giveaway end date: December 23, 2011
Open to: US/Canada residents 18 & over

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We have a great family release that you all are familiar with from The Weinstein Company and Anchor Bay Entertainment, coming out just in time for Thanksgiving! It is this summer’s SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD, starring Jessica Alba, Joel McHale and Jeremy Piven. It comes out on tomorrow on DVD in stores near you and one lucky family will win this DVD by entering a comment below in the “reply to” section! Just let Hollywood Mom Blog know why you want this DVD and you’re entered to win!

ABOUT SPY KIDS: The action packed franchise is back…with the next generation of Spy Kids! Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all: married to a famous spy-hunting television reporter (Joel McHale), with a new baby and intelligent twin step kids, Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook). When maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) disrupts her domestic bliss—threatening to take over the planet—Marissa comes out of retirement as a top secret agent. With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action! With a little help from some familiar Spy Kids friends, Carmen (Alexa Vega), Juni (Daryl Sabara), and their faithful dog Argonaut (Ricky Gervais) and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world!

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The Winter Family Festival is fun for the entire family – play in TONS of snow and enjoy music, crafts, free photos with Santa, classic cars, face painting, food trucks, and the Radio Disney Road Crew, who will keep the party rockin’ with some awesome beats and treats!

It all takes place on Sunday, December 4th from 1:30pm to 5:30pm at Beeman Park in Studio City! Park free and take the shuttle from CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604. Shuttles run from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. Please visit RadioDisney.com/LosAngeles for details.

Charities benefitting from this event include: Pet Orphans, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bookends, LAPD North Hollywood Division, North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry, St. Charles Borromeo Church Food Pantry and Operation Uplift. Each charity will be on-site to take donations.

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18 year old Laura Dern in SmoothTalk (1985)

Laura Dern’s parents’ are Academy Award nominated actor Bruce Dern and Academy Award nominated actress Diane Ladd, whom divorced when she was only 2.  You could say she was born into the business and you’d be right. However, she made her own mark early in a series of heavy projects like “The Stains,” and “Foxes” at age 13, “Smooth Talk,” at age 18 and David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet” at 19.  Dern then graduated to lead roles in “Citizen Ruth,” “Wild at Heart,” “Rambling Rose” and “Jurassic Park.” Laura earned her own Oscar nod for “Rambling Rose.”

But although Laura began performing professionally as a young girl, Mom Diane Ladd was strict with her teen.

“Luckily for me I had both – with my grandmother and my mother particularly – both my parents, but I was living with my mom most of the time. (They had) a real longing to make sure I was very involved in school,” she said. ”So I was lucky in that for me it worked that I was never home-schooled. I was always in school, had to be involved in two activities or I couldn’t do a job. It was like swim team and president of whatever club or something like that, and classes and play dates and over-nights,” she says.

Dern continues: “I was also lucky, frankly, to start young but my mom really balanced it. Where there were a few things that meant a lot to me that she let me audition for, but didn’t push me to go out there. And she asked my agent not to send me on everything. So I just didn’t work that much. I wasn’t doing a series for five years as a teenager. I didn’t have to deal with severe high-visibility celebrity, which is a whole other level that I feel fortunate to not have had to walk through.”

Dern’s latest project, HBO’s “Enlightened,” premiered Oct. 10, 2011. She stars in the series with Mom Diane. Last week Dern was served with divorce papers from husband Ben Harper. They share two children Ellery, 9, and Jaya, 5.

THE STAINS: Diane Lane (15) center with Laura Dern (13) far right

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Bateman with his daughter Francesca.

Although Jason is grateful for the opportunities he was given in his youth, he shares that there are negative efects resulting from being employed at such a young age.

He recently told Swiss newspaper Sonntags Zeitung:: “It’s not a good idea. For one an acting career is quite unstable and also because things in this business are very unfair. Most of all I think it’s highly questionable to put a child in front of a camera and ask that child to pretend to be someone else. Children need to find out who they really are first. When you’re growing up child acting isn’t very clever. I personally didn’t survive it completely undamaged.”

HMB previously reported on Jason, who is currently filming the movie version of the cult favorite television show “Arrested Development,” last year.

After overcoming an addiction to drugs in the 1990′s, In the 90s, Jason married to Amanda Anka, with whom he has a four-year-old daughter Francesca and is currently expecting another.

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Agents, Managers and Casting Directors were honored Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at the Talent Managers Association’s 10th Annual Heller Awards, in Universal City, CA.

The Talent Managers Association was co-founded by Seymour Heller in 1954, and the annual awards are dedicated to his memory.  The Talent Managers Association is a Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation, an association of professional Talent Managers who have shown themselves to be ethical, knowledgeable and skilled as talent/artist/literary managers and have thus been accepted as such by their peers.

*A special HMB shout out to personal faves Mike Baldridge and Jeremy Apody!

Congratulations to the 2011 TMA Heller Award winners:

1. Adult Theatrical Agent: Mike Baldridge ,Momentum Talent and Literary Agency

2. Youth Theatrical Agent: Cindy Osbrink, Osbrink Agency

3. Adult Commercial Agent: David Ziff, CESD

4. Youth Commercial Agent: Jeremy Apody, Abrams Artists Agency

5. Film Casting Director: Patrick Baca, Patrick Baca Casting

6. Television Casting Director: Wendy O’Brien, Wendy O’Brien Casting

7. Commercial Casting Director: Francene Selkirk, Shooting from the Hip Casting

8. Associate Casting Director: Jenny Treadwell, Krisha Bullock Casting

9. TMA Manager of the Year: Paul Trusik, Trusik Talent Management, Inc.

The nominees in each category were:

ADULT THEATRICAL AGENT
Mike Baldridge (Momentum Literary and Talent Agency)
Brianna Barcus (Clear Talent Group)
Robert Haas (Innovative Artists)
Jay Schachter (Mavrick Artist Agency)
Denny Sevier (House of Representatives)

YOUTH THEATRICAL AGENT
Meredith Fine (Coast to Coast)
Jackie Lewis (LB Talent)
Cindy Osbrink (Osbrink Agency)
Emily Urbani (Osbrink Agency)

ADULT COMMERCIAL AGENT
Neil Kreppel (Commercial Talent Agency)
Hugh Leon (Coast to Coast Agency)
Nancy Luciano (LB Talent Agency)
Angela Strange (Osbrink Agency)
David Ziff (CESD)

YOUTH COMMERCIAL AGENT
Jeremy Apody (Abrams Artists Agency)
Brad Diffley (Mavrick Artist Agency)
Jackie Lewis (LB Talent Agency)
Dawn Osbrink (Osbrink Agency)
Carol Lynn Sher (CESD)
Philip Marcus (Clear Talent Group)

FILM CASTING DIRECTOR
Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood (Aquila/Wood Casting)
Patrick Baca (Patrick Baca Casting)
Randi Hiller (Randi Hiller Casting)
Allison Jones (Allison Jones Casting)
Mary Vernieu (Betty Mae Casting)

TELEVISION CASTING DIRECTOR
Megan Branman, Dylann Brander (Branman and Brander Casting)
Scott David (Scott David Casting)
John Levey (John Levey Casting)
Wendy O’Brien (Wendy O’Brien Casting)
Marisa Ross, Alyson Silverberg (Ross/Silverberg Casting)

COMMERCIAL CASTING DIRECTOR
Joe Blake (Joe Blake Casting)
Craig Colvin (Craig Colvin Casting)
Ross Lacy (Ross Lacy Casting)
Francene Selkirk (Francene Selkirk Casting)
Sheila Manning (Sheila Manning Casting)

ASSOCIATE CASTING DIRECTOR
Lyndsey Baldasare (David Rapaport Casting)
Arlie Day (Bacharach/O’Neill Casting)
Gina Gallego (Randi Hiller Casting)
Sherie Hernandez (Greenstein/Daniel Casting)
Jenny Treadwell (Krisha Bullock Casting)

TMA MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Paul Trusik, Trusik Talent Management

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The first single off “Black Sheep” and video for the track “Thump Thump Thump,” features Academy Award Nominee Abigail Breslin and Alex Wolff alongside a ton of puppy love, both literally and figuratively. The video for the second single, “Maybe” features Nat Wolff and a mannequin in a modern love triangle straight out of a movie (ala Lars and the Real Girl). Although the band would not be complete without the talents of the two brothers, it is each of their unique, yet complementing, personalities that sets this indie-rock duo head and shoulders above the rest.

“Black Sheep” was written entirely by Nat and Alex Wolff and is a step in a different, more sophisticated direction for the duo as evidenced by the release of the first two singles, “Thump Thump Thump” and “Maybe.” The two have cited their major influences for the album as Bob Dylan, Green Day, The Velvet Underground, and The Rolling Stones. It’s evident that these brothers have done much maturing in the years since their last album, allowing them to remain relevant without being forced to reinvent themselves.

Eldest brother Nat Wolff, 16, was only in pre-school when he formed his first band, The Silver Boulders, and younger brother Alex, now 13, learned to play the saxophone before the age of three. After begging their mother and father (actor and screenwriter Polly Draper and jazz pianist and composer Michael Wolff) repeatedly for the chance to be child stars, they finally agreed to let the boys record in the studio with their father. While in the studio, Polly came up with the idea for a mock documentary, treating the boys’ band as if they were huge like The Beatles, and The Naked Brothers Band was born. Originally the stars of Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band, the TV series went on to have an incredible run, garnering Nat and Alex many accolades including a 2007 BMI Cable Award for their work on the show (making them the youngest award recipients ever), a nomination for best band at the 2009 Australian Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, and a performance at the Song Writers Hall of Fame at the request of John Sebastian.

After the successful multi-year run on Nickelodeon, two full-length albums, a DVD, cross-country touring and appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America and The View, the brothers were ready to shed their old moniker and graduate to the next level: Nat & Alex Wolff the recording duo was born. The talented brothers have since traversed the country, playing everywhere from Pop-Con 2010 alongside Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez to New York’s 2010 Earth Day concert. For the past two years, the brothers have been hard at work on their first album as Nat & Alex Wolff. Recorded in LA and New York over several weeks in 2009 and 2010, their album Black Sheep released today, October 11, 2011.

In addition to writing and recording “Black Sheep,” the brothers have kept busy with acting roles; most recently Nat filmed roles in the upcoming movies New Years Eve and Peace, Love and Misunderstanding, while Alex appeared on episodes of hit TV shows Monk and In Treatment, as well as in the Fall Out Boy video for “The Take Over, The Break’s Over.” Additionally, Alex wrote and both boys starred in the 2010 play What Would Woody Do? at New York’s Flea Theater.

Today’s release of Black Sheep represents an exciting step into new territory for Nat & Alex Wolff, and one the duo is ready to take by storm.

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If you’re not familiar with Irene (The Dray) Dreayer and the Dray Way, please read the interview we did with her earlier this year.

Here are just a few of the Dray’s credits:

• Has produced 600 half hours of Primetime TV.
• Is currently producing the new original movie “Hunky Santa” for ABC Family.
• Formed her own personal management company in Los Angeles, representing writers and actors.
• Discovered twins Tia and Tamara Mowry and transformed them into the breakout stars of the series “Sister, Sister,” which she Executive Produced for the WB Network.
• Discovered Tia and Tamara’s younger brother Tahj, who went on to star in “Smart Guy,” a series for the WB Network.
• Served as Executive Producer on “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” on the Disney Channel for 3 seasons, and then “The Suite Life on Deck.”
• Discovered and Manages Milly and Becky Rosso, ( “The Suite Life,” “Legally Blondes”)

Sign up at http://thedrayway.com/auditionseminar/ to attend this amazing seminar and if you can’t make it or live out of state, please take advantage of our group skype sessions at the highly discounted rate of only $25. Hope to see you soon!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

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SJP: ”I’m glad I did. I had great experiences. I worked in a different time when the emphasis was entirely different.  Being a great actor and merit was everything. It wasn’t about being rich or famous, it was simply about hard work. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.”

Sarah began her career with a TV movie at age 8 and now her son James Wilkie, 8, has indicated that he too wants a career in show biz.

Parker’s reaction to that news? “I hope he pursues it with seriousness, if it’s what he wants to do. The only rule is he has to go and finish a four-year college course – then he can do whatever he wants.”

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In a special offering just to Hollywood Mom Blog readers, ShopHipsterKid.com is offering a generous 20% off all their inventory when you use the code HMB at check out. Thank you Hipster!  Your Hollywood following loves you!

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Nick Cannon

Cannon said: “I just want them to strive for something greater than entertainment. I’m one of those believers in teachers, professors, heart surgeons. That’s what I’m rooting for. If I could get a scientist, that’d be amazing.”

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This unholy union will take place at the 2012 Cowgirl Riders Debutante Fashion Show presented by Cicciabella, Thursday at Bryant Park Hotel in New York.

Cicciabella is a purveyor of children’s clothes with a specialty in footwear. Kelly Bensimon, as fans of  Bravo’s Housewives of NewYork is a former model and former editor of Elle Accessories. Eden Wood is the tot who most famously told Barbara Walters that once she quits the pageant circuit, she would be “doing my career… and probably being a superstar.”

Eden Woods retired from pageants this summer after accumulating nearly 600 wins.

*Source Huffington Post

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People Farm Casting is searching for FUN & OUTGOING FAMILIES for a new major cable network game show! They are not looking for actors, just clever and interesting families living in Southern California
who want to have some fun!

Family teams should consist of both parents and preferably two children, ages 8-16 years of age, although we will consider families with only one child. ALL FAMILY MEMBERS MUST BE LEGALLY RELATED.

To submit your family, send your name, child’s school grade/age, contact info and location to: Teresa Mason, Casting Director at Teresa@peoplefarmcasting.com via People Farm Casting, Inc.

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