How do I convince my parents to let me into the acting business?

kar: How do I convince my parents to let me into the acting business?
I am very experienced in acting, singing, and dancing. Just at my local theatre that works with people on broadway. But I want to go further. I want to convince my parents to let me get an agent, auditon for shows and movies (mainly I want to try Disney), and more like that. But there are problems. Like pricing, no we’re not poor, I don’t know what you consider rich, but either way my parents don’t want to spend the money. Another is location, I live in L.A. but I’ve heard of auditions in lie, chicago, which my parents would never allow. Also, school work, how would I be able to do it, Im only 14 after all. But I’d give anything to have that. It’s my dream, and I’ve heard from many well experienced people (broadway stars and such) that i really have talent. And I really want to start this NOW! Please help me. Much appreciation.

Answers and Views:

Answer by sherrilyn1999
Two things to keep in mind:

One, for your parents, it’s probably less about money and more about you. They want you to have a childhood, a prom, a graduation. And you can’t go back at twenty-five, when you’ve missed out on all of that, and do it over.

Two: I can name on one hand the number of child-stars who are still actors/actresses in adulthood. They get type-cast in early roles, and never get to play anything else. Look at Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter). He’s gone so far as to go naked for a seen in Equus, his play in London. Unfortunately, everyone goes to see him naked, not because he’s a great actor. He’ll always be Harry Potter.

Fourteen is a great age to be… when you’re fourteen. Unfortunately, to be typecast as a fourteen-year-old and be scrounging at 40 is not where you want to be, no matter how bad you want it now.

Answer by Gingerpeachy
Your parents are now paying your way in life. That means they get to call the shots for the time being. You need to complete your education. I don’t know where you have gotten all this experience you speak of, but you need to practice your craft in community theater, drama clue at school, school plays, and acting workshops. And at 14, it is unlikely any agent would even be interested In you unless you re so outstanding it isn’t funny. Get your education and eventually you can get into drama in college. And remember, most people never hit the big time. They wait tables forever while waiting to make it big, and as I said, most never do. It’s a restrictive business full of disappointment and dashed dreams. Listen for the time being to your parents.

Answer by J S
Like it or not, you are still a minor. It will be difficult to do much without your parents consent at this point.

There are ways of studying while still working in the business – that is not a problem.

My recommendation is talk with them frankly and honestly (not emotionally) about how seriously you feel about this. Ask them to let you give it a shot. Set a time line – 3 months. If after that time things are still not connecting, consent to them having helped you give it a shot and go back to your community theater until you can get out on your own.

I would highly recommend if you are that serious about it, stay in school and study it in college.

Don’t be too hard on your parents. You may think they have more financial means than they actually do to swing something as largely expensive as one adult having to stay home an work while the other adult and child go out to attempt this. (At 14, this is something difficult to fully appreciate.)