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NEW TALENT: Child Actor David Mazouz Tackles a Tough Role in TOUCH

Posted on 25. Jan, 2012 by Hollywood Mom.

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David Mazouz plays Jake, a mute child with an obsession with numbers and patterns which, if deciphered properly by his father (Sutherland), lead to worldwide human connections.

Kiefer Sutherland returns to primetime Wednesday in the Fox drama Touch, as the father of a child who has never spoken and doesn’t communicate in any traditional ways. Touch was created by Tim Kring, (Heroes).

Like the heroic characters in Hereos, in Touch Jake has super abilities only his are with numbers and patterns which, if deciphered properly by his father, lead to connections among people worldwide.

Child Actor David Mazouz

According to Kring, finding the right actor fir the part was difficult as the role requires an ability to affect the blank, isolated look often seen in children who have autism, yet also to suggest there is a lot going on behind the eyes.

Kring told the NY Times, “David is an extraordinary child. He is extremely focused, and you can see the internal life in him. He’s also very still. Most kids we auditioned, you’d catch moments here and there between their general fidgetiness.”

Jake is silent to the other characters but his thoughts are heard in voice-over. “Because we hear his internal voice, we have an understanding of just how intelligent he is, so we had to cast someone who fit that,” Kring said.

Mazouz is represented theatrically by Wendi Green, Paradigm, and Jeremy Apody, Abrams Artists, commercially. Prior to landing the role of Jake, David worked on episodes of Mike and Molly, Criminal Minds, Private Practice and the tv movie Amish Grace.

Kring and his team try to establish early on that, although Jake might look autistic, Touch is not about autism, and Jake’s condition is something else entirely.

“In the pilot, we were pretty set on trying to state that as early as possible,” Kring said. “Clearly, the autism community deserves to have champions out there, but, by the same token, we wanted to have the ability as storytellers to float above reality a little bit. There’s something special going on with this child — something metaphysical, almost supernatural.”

In the premiere, Sutherland finds his way to a some answers when he meets a character played by Danny Glover, who tells him that Jake essentially has psychic powers.

“Your son sees everything,” the character says: “the past, the present, the future. He sees how it’s all connected.”

Then he adds, “It’s a road map, and your job now, your purpose, is to follow it for him.”

*Sources: Fox, NY Times

Click here for the Huffington Post Interview with the stars of Touch

Mazouz played Ryan Hall in an episode of Criminal Minds (2011), called "The Bittersweet Science."

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New Entertainment Work Permit Law in Effect as of January 1, 2012

Posted on 02. Jan, 2012 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Effective January 1, 2012, California Labor Code Section 1308.5 allows a parent or guardian of a minor to apply on-line for a 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permit which is issued immediately upon completion of an application and payment of the $50.00 application fee. This 10 Day Temporary Entertainment Work Permit is subject to the following conditions:

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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THEN & NOW: Christina Ricci Thankful She Is Not A Child Star in Today’s World

Posted on 23. Oct, 2011 by Hollywood Mom.

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Christina Ricci (PAN AM) became a household name in the 1990′s at age nine working on film projects like The Addams Family, Now and Then, Sleepy Hollow, Mermaids, The Ice Storm, Casper, and quickly graduated to respected indie fare like Pumpkin, The Opposite of Sex and Monster.

Unlike today’s teen and child stars who are under constant media scrutiny, Christina reveals that she was not pursued by paparazzi in the 90′s and led a normal teen life.

“You know, I made all the mistakes a lot of young stars are making today. I partied, I drank. But during my time there weren’t that many photographers around. I had more freedom,” she said.

Christina further states that when pressures of fame overwhelm her she reacts by chilling out at her home.

“If I feel stressed, I take a personal day, which basically entails me being on my couch with a book and my puppy! I don’t leave the house. And I like to visit my friends, and just hang out with my family,” she said.

You can watch Christina on Sunday nights 10/9 pm on ABC. If you’d like to dress like Christina and the other Pan Am Stewardesses for Halloween this year, ABC has made posted the step by step instructional manual complete with print outs!

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THEN AND NOW: Sarah Jessica Parker Thankful She Was A Child Actor

Posted on 20. Sep, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Former Square Pegs Child Star Sarah Jessica Parker (I Don’t Know How She Does It) recently told the Associated Press that she is glad she was a child actor.

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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Child Actors In the News: Griffin Kane Makes Film Debut in CONTAGION

Posted on 06. Sep, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Griffin Kane, an 8-year-old from the small village of Wilmette, Illinois, is the lucky kid cast to play the child of Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow in the action-thriller “Contagion” (think updated version of “Outbreak”) debuting Friday. Similar to it’s predecessor Outbreak, this new film is also an action-thriller about a deadly disease spread, and also features a large cast of A-list movie stars: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Laurence Fishburne among others. Outbreak as you may recall featured Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Patrick Dempsey, Donald Sutherland and a very naughty monkey. According to Cineplex.com, a notable difference in the new version directed by Steven “I’m-on-a-sabatical” Soderburgh; Gwyneth Paltrow is the outbreak monkey. But I’m digressing…

Young Griffin Kane recently told the Chicago Tribune, “I did scenes and I played with Matt Damon and I had my own trailer.” While not filming, Kane and Damon would have Nerf gun battles and sometimes, during filming, they’d giggle in the middle of takes. Kane who has not yet seen the movie, will attend the September 7th film premiere in New York City with his parents and walk down the red carpet. Kane, who’s not used to seeing himself on screen said of the experience, “It’s really kind of weird.”

So how does an 8-year-old from Illinois’ North Shore get cast in a huge Hollywood feature film? It began just over seven years ago when Kane’s Mom, Kelly Keenan, who works in advertising, got her son into modeling at 6-months-old. Then a few years ago, Kane graduated to auditioning for films. Last summer he was cast in Contagion which was filming in the area and looking for local actors.

Since Contagion, Kane’s new career has been on a roll and he’s been cast in several in commercials for Kleenex, the Field Museum, and for Kmart’s Halloween campaign. Kane will be dressed as Captain America in the commercial.

When the Tribune asked Momma Keenan if she was fearful of the child actor curse she matter-of-factly replied, “We get asked that a lot, but we feel confident that we can guide him in the right way. I think for every screwed-up child actor there are so many actors that are doing just great.”

Griffin Kane is represented by Stewart Talent (film & commercial & print); Grossman & Jack (voiceover) and Roya Weiner at Caliber Media is his manager.

Griffin Kane in CONTAGION

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CHILD ACTORS: MODERN FAMILY Child Role Replaced with New Actor

Posted on 15. Aug, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Aubrey Anderson-Emmons is the new Lily.

ABC’s Modern Family just announced the new four-year-old actress who will be playing Lily in Season 3 is Aubrey Anderson-Emmons. She will take over the role when the sitcom returns on Sept. 21, per Entertainment Weekly, which has the first look photo. She will replace twins Jaden and Ella Hiller, who alternately played the role of Lily for the last two seasons. Watch their twitter feed at @TheBabyLilyPad for their reactions to the new casting choice.

According to fellow child star Nolan Gould: “The first day I met her, she was kind of hiding behind her mom’s leg and I brought out my iPad and started playing with it and she comes out and she’s like [gasp] and started playing with it. It was really cute. I haven’t worked with her yet. But she is really happy. She says lines. She does everything. She’s really cute.”

Modern Family creator Steven Levitan announced back in May 2011 that he would replace the twins, as he felt they wanted to do other things and the decision was “what’s best for them.”

*Source Entertainment Weekly and The Hollywood Reporter

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CHILD STARS: Saoirse Ronan Says She’s Not a Child Actor, She’s an Actor Who’s Young.

Posted on 05. Aug, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Talented Child Actress Saoirse Ronan (Hanna, Atonement and The Lovely Bones) and her father, actor Paul Ronan, always makes sure he discusses any potential movie roles with her before she accepts an offer, according to Irish Central online. Ronan shares with Irish Central: “Most of the time, he’ll read it first – to see if there’s anything in it that’s a bit explicit. Then I’ll read it afterward and we’ll discuss it.”

To land the coveted role of Suzie in “The Lovely Bones,” the father/daughter duo took it one step further and actually acted out some dramatic scenes in an audition tape that eventually won her the role. Lovely Bones director Peter Jackson recalls, “A lot of teenage girls turn up at auditions with a pre-packaged screen persona, but for Susie, we wanted the opposite, someone who would give the sense of being a very ordinary and real 14 year-old girl. What we didn’t expect is that we would find our teenager from Norristown, Ireland.”

Obviously the choices they’ve made together are strong as Saoirse, now 17 years old, has all ready received nominations for a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her performances.

Saoirse with her thespian father, Paul Ronan

So with all the professional acclaim how does the young talent remain so level-headed? Ronan recently told IFTN,“I think the thing to remember is that you can never predict what is going to happen. I can’t, Meryl Streep can’t, nobody can and you have to take every day as it comes and never take things too seriously. You should be doing it really for yourselves because you love it and you have fun doing it which is why I do it.”

In regards to the tricky professional “transition” she will soon make to more adult roles, Saoirse says,”At the age I’m at, it’s a tricky time to try and figure out which is the best project for me to do. [However] I’ve never really felt like I was a child actor. Just an actor who happened to be quite young.”

*Sources Irish Central and The Irish Film and Television Network

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Invisalign Teen® (I.T.) & Hollywood Mom Blog “Just Go With I.T.” Sweepstakes!

Posted on 30. Jul, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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August 2011 is officially INVISALIGN TEEN® MONTH here at Hollywood Mom Blog!

For Bailee Madison, Invisalign is a family affair!

Over the next four weeks HMB will post in-depth interviews with child stars (and Invisalign users!) CIARA BRAVO (Big Time Rush) and BAILEE MADISON (Just Go With It, Dance of the Mirlitons) who also happen to be die-hard fans of Invisalign Teen®. During the month of August, HMB will also host a wonderful sweepstakes on behalf of Invisalign which will award gift certificates of $100 dollars each to 5 very lucky Hollywood Mom Blog families to help them begin their own Invisalign Teen® success story! Review the official Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations here. Young Hollywood’s go-to orthodontist, Dr. Gilbert Snow of Snow Orthodontics, is treating both Madison and Bravo with their Invisalign programs. Many young actors today (and even some of their Hollywood Moms!) are deciding to “Just go with ‘I.T.’ – Invisalign Teen® that is – because it’s quite literally the clear alternative to traditional braces.

Daniel Azani, D.D.S of Snow Orthodontics advises Ciara Bravo on her Invisalign program.

As the parents of young actors we know that traditional braces can hinder a child in certain casting calls and potentially from filming material in which a mouth full of metal isn’t desirable. Not to mention that teens in general don’t necessarily want the added attention and hassle of all the metal, wires, wax and more. Fortunately with Invisalign Teen® it’s no longer an issue!

Invisalign Teen® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. With a series of clear aligners that gradually straighten your teeth, Invisalign Teen is comfortable, affordable and effective. And without brackets and wires, you’ll have the confidence of a great smile even during treatment. Each aligner also comes with a small, inconspicuous Blue Dot Wear Indicator, which helps remind young patients when they’re ready for the next set of aligners.

Invisalign Teen patients can also continue brushing and flossing as usual so it’s much easier to maintain better oral hygiene. And as moms we know our kids are bound to accidentally lose an aligner or two, which is why Invisalign generously gives Teen users up to six free replacement aligners!

How to Enter the Sweepstakes: Beginning August 1, 2011 and continuing through September 30, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m. (ET), you may enter by leaving a comment in the “Leave a Reply” section of this POST about why you think Invisalign would be perfect for your teen. You may also enter by sending a stamped 3” x 5” postcard with your name, address, and contact phone number to: Invisalign and Hollywoodmomblog.com Sweepstakes, PO Box 1093, Chino Hills, CA 91709. Detailed Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations can be reviewed here.

As part of their treatment, each Invisalign Studio Celebrity supports the charity America’s Toothfairy, part of The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation whose mission it is “to eliminate pediatric oral disease and promote overall health and well being for millions of children from vulnerable populations as a comprehensive resource provider for non-profit community programs, delivering critical preventive, educational and treatment services.”

Follow all three on twitter @Invisalign @BaileeMadison @ciarabravo to stay on top of the latest news!

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Former HARRY POTTER Child Star Daniel Radcliffe On Personal Quest to Prove Child Actors Do Not Have to Burn Out

Posted on 08. Jul, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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In a recent interview with GQ Magazine, former child actor Daniel Radcliffe, now 21, of Harry Potter fame, revealed that while Harry Potter was battling Draco Malfoy with the Hogwarts on the big screen, he was conquering personal demons off screen.

The final film in the series debuts July 15, 2011

Radcliffe was cast as Harry Potter at age 11 and grew into a man before our eyes. The pressures of fame made him reliant on alcohol to enjoy himself, particularly while filming Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, at which time he was 18 years old. Radcliffe confided that he became increasingly “complacent” about his acting and was, “…enamored with the idea of living some sort of famous person’s lifestyle that really isn’t suited to me.”

To his credit, Radcliffe now chooses a life of sobriety, having stopped drinking in August 2010. He reflects that he would love to go to parties and such but that having just a few drinks doesn’t work for him. He now prefers to stay home with his girlfriend, telling GQ, “There’s no shame in enjoying the quiet life. And that’s been the realization of the past few years for me.”

Radcliffe is on a “personal crusade” to prove that child stars do not have to burn out and is using his own life path as the ultimate example. “If I can make a career for myself after Potter, and it goes well, and is varied and with longevity,” he stated, “then that puts to bed the ‘child actors argument’. If I can do it, in the biggest film franchise of all time, no other child actor who comes after will ever have to answer those same bloody questions.”

Amen.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, the last installment in the franchise, is out July 15.

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“SUPER 8″ Child Star Joel Courtney is on a Super Roll

Posted on 24. Jun, 2011 by Hollywood Mom.

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Idaho-native turned breakthrough, Hollywood child star, Joel Courtney, 15, won the nationwide search to play the lead character Joe Lamb in this summer’s hit Super 8 directed by J.J. Abrams, and now, according to Variety, the young talent will headline the indie films Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn and The Healer, as well.

In the film adaptation of Mark Twain’s most popular work, Joel will play Tom Sawyer, the “mischievous troublemaker in search of endless adventures in 1850′s Missouri.” It shoots late this summer in Bulgaria. *HMB Readers may recall this casting notice circulating earlier this year.

The Healer storyline follows “an ailing father who takes his two teenage kids into the woods to renew the bond they shared before his divorce. The trio are soon swept into a supernatural adventure in a haunted forest.” This film, from writer/director Giorgio Serafini, is scheduled to shoot in North Carolina this September.

Joel is represented by Bonnie Liedtke of William Morris Endeavor. His publicist in PMK*BNC.

Joel with older brothers Josh and Caleb.

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LA Casting Call: Disney Live! Seeks 18 Plus

Posted on 20. Jun, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Disney Live! is currently seeking Male and Female Dancers, Character Performers and Tumblers for the upcoming tour season.

Specialty skills such as adagio, trampoline, puppetry,in‐line skating and foreign language skills are a plus. Contracts run approximately 6 to 9 months with competitive pay, benefits and domestic and international travel. Casting occurs year round in conjunction with individual tour schedules. Please bring a non‐returnable head shot and resume. We also accept photos of any Disney face character look-alikes you have portrayed.

All performers will learn a dance combination. Ladies, please arrive with performance ready hair and neutral stage make-‐up. Gentlemen, arrive clean shaven. No hats please. You must be at least 18 years of age to audition. To learn more about our productions visit disneylive.com or email stageshowcasting@feldinc.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26

Disney Live! Touring show auditions, Los Angeles

11:00am-12:00pm Open Registration

12:00pm-4:00pm Audition

Screenland Studios

10501 Burbank Boulevard

North Hollywood, CA 91601

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CHILD STAR STYLE: Top Child Actresses Collaborate on VOGUE Pajama Party Pictorial

Posted on 15. Jun, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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In better-late-than-never news, Hollywood Mom Blog favorites: Chloe Moretz, 14, Hailee Steinfeld, 14, and Elle Fanning 13 recently joined forces for a gorgeous Vogue shoot. It’s no surprise to us that this trio were chosen for the piece as they’ve quickly become fashion icons not only for the 16 and under set, but for the entire age spectrum of the fashion conscience. While many of their contemporaries are wearing colorful and festive attire fashionable for children, these three young ladies have each uniquely managed to walk the line of age-appropriate and ageless simultaneously with their design choices. It’s certainly a new and more sophisticated breed of child actor we’re growing here in Hollywood these days.

The pictorial, which was shot by Bruce Weber on location at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, ran in the May edition of Vogue Magazine. As you may recall, Elle recently shot “Somewhere” at the famed hotel. Elle’s big sister, Dakota Fanning and top model Natalia Vodianova also make appearances in the pictorial.

Young Stars Chloe Moretz, 12, Hailee Steinfeld, 13, and Elle Fanning 13, are the focus of a pajama party pictorial for VOGUE

Dakota Fanning and Natalia Vodianova check into the famed Chateau Marmont

Chloe Moretz, Hailee Steinfeld and Elle Fanning with Natalia Vodianova slumber at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood

Chloe Moretz, Hailee Steinfeld, Natalia Vodianova and Elle Fanning

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Young Performers Turn up the Volume with School of Rock’s Summer Day Camp Programs!

Posted on 06. May, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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This summer, give your musical kids the chance to turn up the volume and enroll them in SCHOOL OF ROCK Summer Music Day Camp! The nationally acclaimed music program SCHOOL OF ROCK is offering their annual one and two-week summer rock music camps from June-August at participating locations including Austin, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte NC, Denver, Downingtown PA, NYC, Kansas City, Miami, San Diego, Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Tenafly NJ and more. Camp days and hours are Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:30pm.

Designed for kids ages 9-18 of all expertise levels, SCHOOL OF ROCK teaches new skills and develops musicianship in a fun, creative environment. Camp is a great introduction to School of Rock’s superb year-round performance program as well as a great way for kids who love playing music to spend the summer with their like-minded, rock n’ roll peers!

Some of the exciting elements of School of Rock Summer Music Camps include learning the nuts and bolts of live performance, lessons and clinics on the key instruments of rock: guitar, bass, vocals, drum and keyboard. Campers will also perform together as a band. The amp session culminates with students showing off their best rock swagger, performing before a live audience.

Select SCHOOL OF ROCK schools will host specific songwriting and recording camps for students who want to immerse themselves in the creative and technical process behind songwriting and recording, working on both original and cover material. Camp instructors are all outstanding professional working musicians who share their valuable industry insight as well as help kids master all aspects of performance.

About School of Rock:

School of Rock has been teaching kids how to amaze audiences for more than 10 years. We believe the best way to learn music is to play music. We get students from the lesson room to the stage, developing both their confidence and musician ship with programs designed for all skill levels. School of Rock operates 66 schools in 25 states and 1 internationally, with two new locations coming in early 2011 (Naperville, IL; Mokena, IL). We are expanding rapidly to meet the demands of kids who want to play music and parents who appreciate music education. With opportunities available nationwide, it’s an exciting to become a SoR Franchisee! For more information about School of Rock, please visit SCHOOL OF ROCK.

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Tom Hanks Joins the Ranks of Pageant Moms!

Posted on 26. Apr, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Adorable and talented child actor Nikki Hahn joins Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks playing Hanks’ fictitious daughter and “Bosom Baby,” Sophie Hanks in a spot on spoof of “Toddlers and Tiaras,” for the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Get ready to laugh like crazy. You’ll be forwarding this link to everyone you know!

Tag Archives: Child Actor