No Judging in DUDES Group!

Grand Prize package includes:

(1) shirt
(1) poster
(1) swag from promo partners

Second Prize packages (5 total) each include:
(1) shirt
(1) poster
(1) smaller swag from promo partners
—————————————————–
To enter follow Hollywood Mom Blog on Facebook and Twitter and follow What to Expect When Your Expecting on Facebook and Twitter, then leave a message in the “reply to” below about what you wish you had “expected” when you became pregnant!  Winners will be announced next week!

Hollywood Power Players Cameron Diaz, Anna Kendrick, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks and Brooklyn Decker star in this weekend's premiere, "What to Expect When You're Expecting"

SYNOPSIS:
Inspired by the perennial New York Times bestseller of the same name, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING is a hilarious and heartfelt big-screen comedy about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood.

Over the moon about starting a family, TV fitness guru Jules and dance show star Evan find that their high-octane celebrity lives don’t stand a chance against the surprise demands of pregnancy. Baby-crazy author and advocate Wendy gets a taste of her own militant mommy advice when pregnancy hormones ravage her body; while Wendy’s husband, Gary, struggles not to be outdone by his competitive alpha-Dad, who’s expecting twins with his much younger trophy wife, Skyler.  Photographer Holly is prepared to travel the globe to adopt a child, but her husband Alex isn’t so sure, and tries to quiet his panic by attending a “dudes” support group, where new fathers get to tell it like it really is.  And rival food truck chefs Rosie and Marco’s surprise hook-up results in an unexpected quandary: what to do when your first child comes before your first date?

A kaleidoscopic comedy as universal as it is unpredictable, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING finds humor and uplift in all the unexpected trials and triumphs of welcoming a child into the world.  The film stars Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone and Joe Manganiello.

More »

It’s been a wonderful year so far and so many of the kids in our community are booking tremendous projects. It’s enough to make this @HollywoodMom proud.

Recharge your momager batteries today ladies because there are plenty of auditions, casting calls, photo sessions, classes, workshops and events looming right around the corner for you and your talented child actors!

Because of your loyalty, the Hollywood Mom Blog writing staff has grown to include phenomenal contributors (Valerie Sullivan, Jemima Laing, Michele Dahl, Nicole Hanratty, Cari Surch, Christine Norfleet, Susan Lowry, Sibylla Nash and more)  we’ve been given great opportunities like free prescreening of feature films (Mirror Mirror, Spy Kids 4D, What to Expect When Your Expecting, Judy Moody & The Not Bummer Summer) tickets to tapings of Disney & Nick Jr. Shows (thanks Majestic Actors Casting!) numerous giveaways & freebies (HoodWinked, We Bought A Zoo, Forever 21, Hello Kitty, JewelMint, Okabashi, iMainGoX, Western Chief, See Kai Run, UVSkinz) insight on casting calls, and events with top industry speakers (Thanks Irene!)

Hollywood Mom Blog would like to thank the many companies like Disney and Lionsgate who have continually supported our cause, and especially to our valued sponsors (Oaks Christian School, The Bridge School, Young Actors Camp, Sheila Manning Casting, The Dray Way, The Playground, MomsLife, Kuyam, Long Lake Camp, SaverTime, Mentor Studios LA, & more)

HMB looks forward to bringing you the best of Child Actors News and many more goodies for the remainder of 2012.

xo

Tracy Bobbitt, Editor HollywoodMomBlog.com

More »

It’s that time of year when we Hollywood Moms, (hopefully!) have a day all to ourselves. Mother’s Day is the day to kick up our feet (or better yet have them massaged) and to be pampered like the royalty we are by our loving, adoring families.

But if that fairy tale doesn’t come true, at least now you can smell like a princess.

Disney has created a new scent just in time for this most sacred of Hallmark Holidays. Behold the royal, shimmering facets of the A Princess Wish Eau de Toilette bottle. With a light spray, cares fade away and dreams dare to come true, all in the sparkling bouquet of precious flowers, juicy berries and golden amber.

Thanks to the generous folks at Disney, one of our Hollywood Mom Blog readers will win their very own Princess Wish Eau de Toilette for Mother’s Day!

Just leave a comment in the reply section below as to why you NEED this fabulous fragrance for Mother’s Day.  Winner will be chosen and posted Monday morning. Happy Mothers Day and Happy Momagers Day!

The Princess Wish Eau de Toilette retails for $24.50 exclusively at the Disney Store

Be sure to check out the Disney Store Blog to stay on top of all the latest goodies Disney has to offer including more items from the Disney Princess Wish collection!

More »

The movie itself was a delight; much funnier and more exciting than the commercials would lead you to believe. Mirror Mirror is perfectly cast, with seasoned pros like Julia Roberts (evil Queen), Nathan Lane (the Queen’s henchman Brighton) and Mare Winningham (Baker Margaret) bringing their A-game and relative new-comers Lily Collins (as Snow White) and Armie Hammer (as Prince Alcott) showcasing finely-honed comedic talents. As for the seven dwarves – look out!  Expertly updated characters with new names to match (Chuckles, Butcher, Half Pint, Grub, Grimm and Wolf ) and that each talented actor brought to life. The outstanding sets (Tom Foden) and exquisite costumes (Eiko Ishioka) are pure eye candy.

After the film many of HMB crowd met in the lobby and had the kids pose for an impromptu photo shoot. Thanks to Nyna Lyle and John Chapman for snapping photos and to the Chapman girls, Shayna & Mikayla for interviewing us for their cool web series! We’ll post their video when it’s up.

The Hollywood Mom Blog attends the MIRROR MIRROR Pre-Screening Event in Century City. Thank you Relativity Media! The Chapman girls interviewed HMB afterwards for their web series! (Left to Right: Shayna Chapman, Sarah Lambert, Jordan Bobbitt, HMb Editor Tracy Bobbitt, Taylor Carpenter and Mikayla Chapman.

Be sure to head out to see MIRROR MIRROR this weekend! You’ll be so glad you did. Appropriate for the entire family!

*Let us know if you were in attendance and we’ll give you a shout out here as well – there were so many of us, next time we’ll make a plan to meet!

Child Actors Shayna Chapman, Damoni Monae, Yessica Serna Young and Mikayla Chapman posing with their poison (not really!) apples and ball masks.

More »

I’d love for you to check out my guest post over on Jen & Barb Mom Life who have teamed up with Coca-Cola to bring their show that answers the question, “What techniques you employ to encourage your children’s passions?”

Follow the ladies on FACEBOOK at https://www.facebook.com/MomLife

More »

As HMB readers know, we’ve been invited to a free screening on Thursday March 29, 2012 of Relativity Media’s MIRROR MIRROR, a new comedic twist on the classic Snow White fairy tale!

We are proud to announce a celebratory Mirror Mirror Giveaway, including (1) JewelMint Gift card filled with 6 credits and (1) limited edition tee shirt created by renowned designer Charlotte Ronson for one lucky HMB reader.  Winner announced Saturday April 7, 2012. TO ENTER: This giveaway is for our all of our readers, but particularly those who live outside the Los Angeles area who can’t attend the screening with us Thursday night! Just leave you name and a comment about why you’d love to win this tee in the reply section below. Good luck!

Charlotte Ronson designs 50 limited edition t-shirts inspired by the family film “Mirror Mirror,” starring Lily Collins and Julia Roberts, launching in conjunction with the movies’ March 30, 2012 release.  The Tee features a one of a kind hand sketch of Lily Collins as the classic Snow White in her beautiful ‘swan’ dress with signature red lips. The sketch captures the sweetness and strength of its main character to perfection.  “Snow White has always been one of my favorite stories growing up, and I love that this modern day Snow White is still lovely as ever and ready to be the hero in this story. She’s definitely the Charlotte Ronson girl….independent, confident and sweet” says Ronson. The Tee is perfect for all princesses young and old.

SYNOPSIS

One of the most beloved stories of all time is coming to life in the motion picture event for the whole family, Mirror Mirror.  A fresh and funny retelling of the Snow White legend, Mirror Mirror features breakout star Lily Collins (of The Blind Side & Phil Collins daughter) as Snow White, a princess in exile, and Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts as the evil Queen who ruthlessly rules her captured kingdom. Seven courageous rebel dwarfs join forces with Snow White as she fights to reclaim her birthright and win her Prince in this magical comedy filled with jealousy, romance, and betrayal that will capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences the world over.  The film also stars Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the Prince, and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the hapless and bungling servant to the Queen. 

More »

Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen

Use the link www.gofobo.com/rsvp to download passes with the code below.

MIRROR MIRROR

ABOUT MIRROR MIRROR

One of the most beloved stories of all time is coming to life in the motion picture Snow White legend, Mirror Mirror.  A fresh and funny retelling of the Snow White legend, Mirror Mirror features breakout star Lily Collins (The Blind Side) as Snow White, a princess in exile, and Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts as the evil Queen who ruthlessly rules her captured kingdom. Seven courageous rebel dwarfs join forces with Snow White as she fights to reclaim her birthright and win her Prince in this magical adventure comedy filled with jealousy, romance, and betrayal that will capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences the world over. The film also stars Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the Prince, and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the hapless and bungling servant to the Queen.

More »

The talented young cast of "The Hunger Games," in a recent Vanity Fair shoot, "have their feet on the ground," says Producer Nina Jacobson.

For those not familiar with Ms. Jacobson’s career, she’s one of a handful of powerful women (including Sherry Lansing and Dawn Steel), to have run a Hollywood studio, (Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group) and now helms her own production company Color Force, responsible for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and it’s sequels.

Producer Nina Jacobson Won the Option to "The Hunger Games" when it had only sold about 100,000 copies.

After reading The Hunger Games books, Jacobson immediately connected with Katniss (admittedly her favorite character); however, she realized there were many potential pitfalls in bringing the epic story to screen. Jacobson was intrigued that Katniss enters the games “looking after her own,” and not at all civic-minded but evolves over the course of the story into someone who trusts and cares for others (like Peeta and Rue), transcending selfishness and ultimately reaching an ethical line she won’t cross regardless of the consequences.

Jacobson believes this theme of selflessness is  a powerful one for today’s youth and following a month of discussions with author Suzanne Collins, optioned The Hunger Games. Remaining faithful to the story and not committing the sins of the capitol (Hunger Games speak for not glamorizing the voyeurism and violence) was Nina’s utmost goal.  The project finally landed at LionsGate because the studio had what she calls “a focused development plate.”  I personally love that she (along with Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross and the entire Hunger Games team) is adding a respectable heroine to our children’s cinematic library. “Young girls [as movie viewership] are a huge part of what makes a movie successful,” Nina says, “those who underestimate that [fact] do so at their own peril.”

When asked how the film differs from the book, she points out that we have more than just Katniss’ perspective in the film and that in order to streamline the storytelling some book characters lost out. “Poor Madge was thrown under the bus,” Nina recounts, noting that the impactful gift of the Mocking Jay Pin to Katniss is now Prim’s moment. She also relates that for purposes of time the focus was on Cinna (played by Lenny Kravitz) and not the entire squad of stylists. Other differences or substitutions include the film being shot on location in North Carolina (working as the Appalachian, the Reaping set, the Capitol and the Games) because the locales were “ridiculously perfect,” and of course there are the nice tax benefits the state offers.

Having accumulated a wealth of experience working in film and particularly with child actors, I wanted to know which qualities a producer of her measure looks for in young talent. “Naturalism and authenticity,” we’re her immediate answers noting that the last thing one wants a child actor to do is project “Look how well I’m acting!”

As the Producer of the Hunger Games, Jacobson says she was obviously seeking child actors with talent but also looks for kids (and their parents) “who have their feet on the ground.”  She believes she was doubly fortunate with The Hunger Games young cast, as their performances were organic and natural and they all come from strong families.

The Hunger Games opens nationwide on March 23, 2012 which is in all likelihood the first of four films to be made based on the trilogy. The second film is tentatively scheduled to release Thanksgiving 2013.

About The World Premiere:

Jennifer Lawrence wowed at the world premiere of "The Hunger Games," wearing a Prabal Gurung gown, Jimmy Choo shoes and Jacob & Co. black diamond studs.

Held at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, the movie’s red carpet was actually black and gold. Turns out this color combo was perfect for enhancing Jennifer Lawrence’s shimmering metallic lame Prabal Garung gown that was akin to a custom paint job on a race car and I mean that in the best way possible. She was hands-down the most gorgeous person, man or woman, at the event. Other folks we spied walking the red carpet and or milling about the theater were Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus, Donald Sutherland, Gary Ross and Allison Thomas.

As I’m not a reviewer, here’s what I’ll call my “quickie recap:”

• Teens will LOVE this film – the kids in the world premiere audience were screaming the entire time. The entire time. Did I mention, the entire time?
• Read the books first – it will enhance the film for you and help the details make more sense.
• Jennifer Lawrence is a wonderful actress and nails the character of Katniss (I originally pictured Hailey Steinfeld in the role but Lawrence owns it).
• Other solid performances in The Hunger Games include: Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Effie (Elizabeth Banks) Haymitch (Woody Harrelson.) and Josh Hutcherson (as Peeta Mellark – although I still think he was terribly miscast as the love interest). Sutherland is typecast as annoyingly evil (which works) & Stanley Tucci is campy fun as Caesar.
• For my taste, there was money missing onscreen in terms of production value (I had a couple of “Last Airbender” flashbacks) but the average 13 year old isn’t going to notice that. Director Gary Ross is faithful to the book, condenses a few scenes for streamlined story-telling, omitting only a few important moments.
• Surprisingly not too dark or scary considering it’s obviously dark subject matter. The book was much more graphic.
•  The most honest and accurate review I’ve found is here (the written review NOT the televised morning show – those people are completely out of touch). But ultimately you the viewing audience decide the fate of the film – grab a box of popcorn, enjoy and let us know what you think!

More »

Kaia Gerber has just made Cindy Crawford a Momager by landing Young Versace's launch ad campaign. Who knew rocking socks with sandals could be chic?

“Like her mother, Kaia has a very special gift,” Donatella Versace said in a release to the press. “The camera really, really loves her. Having Cindy on-set for the shoot took me back to all the amazing Avedon shoots we worked on together. It was such a special treat watching Kaia walk in her mother’s footsteps!”

Cindy Crawford had this to say about her progeny:

“I’m so thrilled that Kaia was chosen to be part of the first Young Versace Campaign. I have so many fond memories of the times I spent with Gianni and Donatella. There is something so very special about the House of Versace. Being on-set with my daughter watching her in front of the camera was a fantastic experience. I am so proud of her.”

Famed Photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot shot the campaign for the line which will debut during Pitti Immagine Bimbo in Florence. The line fits kids ages 0-12 and stays true to many  of Versace’s signature themes like the iconic Greek key motif and Medusa head logo.

More »

Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the Palm Springs Film Festival

“Hey, I’ve heard you’re amazing,” Angelina told 14-year-old Thomas, “[It's} very, very nice to meet you. It's an honor." She bent down to his eye level and asked him if he has done events like the red carpet before, and he admitted it was his first time.

"Are you excited or is it weird?" Angelina asked. "It's weird, but exciting, I guess," Thomas replied as his EL&IC co-star Tom Hanks looked on like a proud father.

Jolie then told Horn that her kids (Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne) are fans of his work.

"You should be really, really proud. You've done great things," Angie told him. "My kids already think you're cool, so I'll tell them I met you and they'll think I'm cool."

Tom Hanks and Thomas Horn at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

But while the Jolie-Pitt kids may think Thomas Horn is cool, it will be awhile before they can follow in his film-making footsteps if dad Brad Pitt has his way. According to Hollyscoop.com, Pitt’s open to the kids becoming actors — only not until they’re adults.

“Whatever they want to do,” Pitt he told the gossip Web site at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. “Whatever makes them happy. [But] not until they’re eighteen.”

Pitt and Jolie walked the red carpet at the film festival to accept the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performance in Moneyball.

More »

According to The Sun, Feldman decided to publicly discuss the abuse he suffered at age 14 after his best friend, former child star Corey Haim, died of heart failure and pneumonia. Feldman allegedly waited until after Haim’s death to reveal the abuse they both endured as he didn’t want to subject Haim to the nastiness all over again.  Coincidentally, one of their former talent agents was charged with child abuse at approximately that same time.

“When I was 14 and 15, things were happening to me,” he said. “These older men were leching around like vultures. It was basically me laying there pretending I was asleep and them going about their business. Corey [Haim] and I were pegged as the scapegoats,” said Feldman.

“People need to know the reason Corey and I were swept under the carpet like the beaten dogs that were sent to the pound so no one had to deal with us anymore,” says Feldman, ”I stood up and said there is a bigger problem, that I’d lost Corey and that I didn’t want to see any more kids lost to these sick perverts.”

Former “Little House on the Prairie” Child Star Alison Arngrim (also a victim of child sexual abuse) confirmed Feldman’s statements to Fox News on Decemeber 5, 2011 stating:

“This has been going on for a very long time. It was the gossip back in the ‘80s. People said, ‘Oh yeah, the Coreys [Feldman, Haim], everyone’s had them.’ People talked about it like it was not a big deal…”

“I literally heard that they were ‘passed around,’” Arngrim said. “The word was that they were given drugs and being used for sex. It was awful–these were kids, they weren’t 18 yet. There were all sorts of stories about everyone from their, quote, ‘set guardians’ on down that these two had been sexually abused and were totally being corrupted in every possible way.”

Fortunately, thanks to these brave stars the public’s eyes are beginning to open to this secret epidemic as three high profile pedophile cases have rocked Hollywood in the few short months following Feldman’s revelations:

• Martin Weiss, a 47-year-old Hollywood manager who represented child actors, was charged in Los Angeles on Dec. 1, 2011 with sexually abusing a former client. His accuser, who was under 12 years old during the time of the alleged abuse, reported to authorities that Weiss told him “what they were doing was common practice in the entertainment industry.” Weiss has pleaded not guilty.
• On Nov. 21, 2011 Fernando Rivas, 59, an award-winning composer for “Sesame Street,” was arraigned on charges of coercing a child “to engage in sexually explicit conduct” in South Carolina. The Juilliard-trained composer was also charged with production and distribution of child pornography.
• Registered sex offender Jason James Murphy, 35, worked as a casting agent in Hollywood for years before his past kidnapping and sexual abuse of a boy was revealed by the Los Angeles Times on Nov. 17. Murphy’s credits include placing young actors in kid-friendly fare like “Bad News Bears,” “The School of Rock,” “Cheaper by the Dozen 2” and the forthcoming “Three Stooges.”

Sources: ABC News Nightline, The Sun via Radar online, Fox News

More »

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.

More »

Asa Butterfield and Chloe Moretz star in HUGO

According to Deadline Hollywood, child actor Asa Butterfield, 14, who stars in Martin Scorsese’s Hugo with Chloe Moretz, has been offered the lead role in the highly sought after book turned film property, Ender’s Game. After screen-testing several young actors, director Gavin Hood (Wolverine) chose Butterfield to star as boy genius Andrew “Ender” Wiggin in the adaptation of the seminal Orson Scott Card sci-fi book series.  It won both the Hugo and Nebula awards, and rose to the top of national bestseller lists.

The publishers website describes “Ender’s Game” this way:  ”Andrew “Ender” Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when this begins. He will grow up fast.

“But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway almost as long. Ender’s two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. While Peter was too uncontrollably violent, Valentine very nearly lacks the capability for violence altogether. Neither was found suitable for the military’s purpose. But they are driven by their jealousy of Ender, and by their inbred drive for power. Peter seeks to control the political process, to become a ruler. Valentine’s abilities turn more toward the subtle control of the beliefs of commoner and elite alike, through powerfully convincing essays. Hiding their youth and identities behind the anonymity of the computer networks, these two begin working together to shape the destiny of Earth-an Earth that has no future at all if their brother Ender fails.”

Other book characters include Ender’s older siblings, Valentine and Peter. Casting Director is John Papsidera and has a tentative March 15, 2013 release date.

Butterfield has worked on several major feature films: Son of Rambow, Nanny McPhee Returns, The Wolfman and The Boy in Striped Pajamas. Martin Scorsese’s 3-D family film Hugo will debut  in theaters over the Thanksgiving weekend.

More »

Hours to be arranged 7 days a week. Call 323-385-5237.

Elizabeth supplies material or bring your own audition material. Details can be found at ElizabethBaumanActingCoach.com or ScottSeditaActing.com.  Tell her Hollywood Mom Blog sent you!

More »

I now can truly relate to these words, and I have seen some major changes throughout my life. I don’t know what it is about this move from Texas to South Carolina that has me feeling so upside down? If anything, I have a lot more time to myself because all three of my children are in school. I mean they all are picked up and dropped off by a school bus about five houses down from ours so from the hours of 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. I am pretty much on my own, to do as I please.

Heaven – yes, but something is missing. I have wrestled with the question of “what” that is for a while now and I am sure that I’ve finally come up with the answer.

You see, while we were in Texas my eldest daughter was actively pursuing and continually working on her acting. She went to acting classes weekly, she went out on auditions and she actually shot a few things. All the while I was being her momager and relentlessly searching for more castings and auditions, more workshops, more, more and then some more. I found that I loved being a momager and the excitement of finding an audition or getting her into some awesome workshop was so invigorating for me – it kind of became my drug of choice. I know some of you are rolling your eyes and saying, “Oh, she is one of those crazy stage-mom” sorts of things but I never pushed her into auditions or classes or anything she didn’t want to do. Sometimes I would find a casting, ask her if she wanted me to submit her, she would tell me “no thank you” and I would move onto the next thing. It is more of the “thrill of the hunt” than anything else.

Now let’s move ahead six months, we are nicely settled into our new home and new routines but something is missing – my momager job!

My daughter has now entered high school and has decided to concentrate on playing basketball as well as her tough honors course load. Don’t get me wrong, I played college basketball and coached high school basketball and volleyball so I love the idea that she is working hard on the court but my role has changed significantly. I have become her cheerleader (which I always was and always will be) and am relegated to the stands during game time. She asks me the odd basketball related question but her coach is The BBall Guru, as it should be, and I the untitled mother.

So what shall I do with my new found free time? Well I do volunteer weekly at my younger children’s school, I have joined all sorts of committees and I am upping my exercise regime but there is still something missing – any suggestions?? Anyone have a way to fill this momager-at-heart’s free time? How about a suggestion for how I can find the “high” that came with landing my daughter the perfect audition? I am all ears. Maybe I’ll post an ad on Craigslist reading, “Momager for Hire” or something like that? Who knows what my future will hold.

Update: I hadn’t even submitted my post for editing when my youngest daughter came up to me last night and said, “Mom, I really want to try modeling. Do you think I could?”

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, god of “momagers with no child to manage” – wink, wink!!

Cari Surch is the momager of young actress Kennedy Surch. You can follow her adventures on twitter http://www.twitter.com/cariscalling

The lovely Surch sisters!

More »

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.

More »

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!

More »

Hollywood Mom Blog readers had such a good time at the recent pre-screening of SPY KIDS we decided to continue the fun with even MORE awesome giveaways to Spy Kids All the Time in The World!

The first is a giveaway of “Admit 2 Run of Engagement” passes that are valid at any Los Angeles AMC Theater beginning Monday, August 22, 2011. Four lucky families will benefit from 2 free tickets each, good at any Los Angeles area AMC theater, on or after August 22, 2011. Simply post your name in the comment/reply section below to qualify for entry. Winners/recipients of this giveaway will be notified on August 18, 2011.

The second prize to win: A 4-Pack Giveaway will grant One lucky family 4 FREE PASSES to Spy Kids 4D – just follow the directions on the graphic below in order to submit your entry. Enter for one or enter for both! Winner/recipient of this giveaway will be contacted on August 15, 2011.

Good luck to all our Hollywood Moms and let the spy-tastic summer fun continue!

View the trailer at: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/spykidsallthetimeintheworld/

ABOUT SPY KIDS 4D:
On the surface, Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all…married to a famous spy hunting television reporter, a new baby and intelligent twin step kids. But in reality, trying to mother Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), who clearly don’t want her around, is her toughest challenge yet. Also, her husband, Wilbur (Joel McHale), wouldn’t know a spy if he lived with one which is exactly the case – Marissa’s a retired secret agent.

Marissa’s world is turned upside down when the maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) threatens to take over the planet and she’s called back into action by the head of OSS, home of the greatest spies and where the now-defunct Spy Kids division was created. With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action when they learn their boring step-mom was once a top agent and now the world’s most competitive ten year olds are forced to put their bickering aside and rely on their wits. With a little help from a couple of very familiar former Spy Kids, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world and possibly bring their family together while they’re at it.

More »

The following roles still need to be filled for auditions for this Monday!

• “Sweet 16″ Asian Kids (girls about to turn 16)
• Ice Hockey Kids (any ethnicity) ages 7-12
• Ice Hockey Dad
• High school cheerleaders

Email our gorgeous friend Teresa at Teresamlowther@gmail.com ASAP with head shot and resume. Actors MUST LIVE IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA.

This is a GREAT opportunity! Good Luck and tell her Hollywood Mom Blog sent you!

More »

Jeremy Piven greets the Burks Girls at Spy Kids!

By all accounts, last weeks special pre-screening of  SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D at the Arclight Hollywood was a huge success!  SPY KID Child Stars Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook were on hand to mingle with Hollywood Mom’s readership after the screening and thankfully, Hollywood Mom Elise Burks became an impromptu photographer catching her daughters Ariana and Anaiya with the film’s stars (like Jeremy Piven left) and other HMB families.  Everyone raved about the film and some called it the best film yet of the beloved SPY KIDS franchise.

Some other lucky HMB readers who attended the screening were HM Olivia Lopez and dd Natalie Lopez; HM Kathy Drelling Card and daughters Sophia and Simone; HM Dani with daughter Damoni Burkhardt;  HM Karean Chapman and her girls, Shayna and Mikayla; and HM Lilli Baur attended with son’s Niko and Caden Baur.

HMB Readers Rock!: Child actors Ariana Burks and Anaiya Burks meet fellow child actors and SPY KIDS stars, Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook, at the Hollywood Mom Blog pre-screening at the Arclight Hollywood last Thursday.

SPY KIDS Star Rowan Blanchard poses with HMB kids Fellow child actors, Sophia and Simone Card.

The Chapman girls and Damoni Burkhardt anticipate the pre-screening!

More »

Vicki Conway, Director of Oaks Christian Online School

Looking for an alternative to traditional school for your child actor? Or do you find that your child doesn’t have enough hours in the day to attend school for 8 hours, complete homework and participate in outside classes, programs and activities? Or perhaps your child is all ready in homeschool but you’re looking for a new program? Search no more. Acclaimed Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, CA is launching an online program that offers summer classes and college prep courses for students seeking expanded coursework and activities. On July 17, Vicki Conway, Director of Oaks Christian Online School, a nationally recognized teacher and administrator who has experience developing, implementing and leading online educational programs, will host an Open House at the Oaks Christian Main Campus on La Tienda Drive in Westlake Village. If you are unable to attend the open house in person, the school also offers weekly virtual open houses for prospective students every Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Since first opening in 2000, Oaks Christian School has quickly gained respect for student achievement in academics, arts and sports. The online school is an extension of the main campus which serves about 1,300 middle and high school students. “Online schools benefit child actors because the work can be completed anywhere and at any time of day,” says Conway. ” Oaks Christian Online School (OCO), though, will impact child actors specifically because we have a unique blend of accredited, rigorous, college-preparatory classes delivered from a Christian worldview.  We believe in 100% college placement, and our counselors have a tradition of excellence in assisting students towards their college goals.  We also believe in engaging the whole student and will have social opportunities for local students at retreats, community service field trips and online chapel discussion boards.” Oaks Christian Headmaster Jeff Woodcock said the new program will give motivated, college-bound students around the globe the opportunity to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum, college preparatory support and spiritual life counseling that embody Christian values.  “Online education, because of the advances of technology, is the way of the future. We want to be a part of the wave, not behind the wave,” Woodcock recently told the Acorn newspaper. “With online school, students can learn anytime, anywhere and at any pace.”

"Online schools benefit child actors because the work can be completed anywhere and at any time of day," says Conway.

ABOUT Vicki Conway Before joining Oaks Christian, Conway served as senior vice president of accounting for a Fortune 500 company. She became an educator 14 years ago and directed a widely recognized online teacher training program for Insight School of California, a public charter high school serving 1,500 California students online. While with Insight School, Conway worked as a teacher, department chair, supervising teacher and national teacher trainer. Conway will also be exhibiting at the 28th annual CHEA home school conference on July 14 through 16, 2011 at the Pasadena Convention Center. CHEA (Christian Home Educators Association of California, Inc.) is a non-profit ministry established in 1982 to provide information, support, and training to the home education community throughout the state.

Oaks Christian online school will host an open house on July 17, 2011 in Westlake Village

ABOUT OAKS CHRISTIAN ONLINE SCHOOL According to the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, more than 1.5 million U.S. students are taking online courses. That number is growing internationally.  The Oaks Christian online program is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The full-time program costs $6,995 per year. A single part-time class costs $600 for a semester or $1,150 for the year. Conway has received approximately 7,500 inquiries from prospective students and families throughout America and the world. The school expects to enroll about 100 full-time students for its fall semester. For more information about Oaks Christian Online School, visit http://online.oakschristian.org or call (855) 462-6257

More »