The role of a drama agency such as IWM Next Gen is to find professional work for our artists appropriate to each individual performer’s skill-level and profile. We are the first point of contact for casting directors and producers who are looking to cast a particular role and it is our job to know where each of our artist’s abilities lie so that we can put forward the right person for the right role.
It is our job to arrange auditions for the artist and to ensure that they have all the necessary information to audition well. Once the performer has been offered the role, then it is our responsibility to ensure that the terms of employment and fees are satisfactory and abide by industry standards.
A good agent will also take the time to build a relationship with their actors so that they are in a position to guide each performer along their chosen career path.
A casting director does not represent actors. They are employed by the producers of a particular project to organise and carry out the casting process.
IWM’s director Ian White is a member of the Australian Drama Agents Association – an industry body that exists to regulate and promote proper practice amongst drama agents. Their aim is to promote a minimum professional standard of operation for theatrical agencies and to ensure that their members comply with certain ethical guidelines.
Do your research. Talk to people that are already members of our agency, or contact the CGA (Casting Guild Australia) and ask casting offices such as Nick Hamon Casting, Northside Casting, Chameleon, Mullinars, Maura Fay Casting, etc, about us.
No. While we encourage all of our actors to continue training throughout their careers, we do not place any restrictions on where they are able to train. It is advisable if possible to take classes at Showfit as then teachers and agency staff can have a first-hand knowledge of each child’s development and can talk to casting directors with confidence about your child’s ability levels. Speak to our agents for other recommendations of reputable training facilities in your area.
Unfortunately no. When we offer representation with our agency, we do try and choose children who are not only talented but who we also feel will be in demand for the current market. However, the industry is very unpredictable and goes through highs and lows We cannot always predict which children will find work over the course of a single year. We are honest with parents about their child’s prospects and we ask parents to keep in mind that a career in the performing arts is usually not created overnight and that it may take several years of hard work and patience on your part and ours before we are able to see significant results. We suggest parents contact the agency from time to time to check in on their child’s progress. We are always happy with time permitting to give feedback and share your child’s submission tracker from our database so you can view the types of jobs your child has been put forward for throughout the year.
For younger children, on-camera work such as film, tv series, and television commercials constitute the majority of work. These can be a great learning experience and lots of fun. Older children will find themselves auditioning for theatre and musical theatre roles as well as film and television, training films and documentaries. We often will also send through reputable unpaid opportunities as well to help expand your child’s experience and gain footage for showreels, such as student films and short films.
IWM Next Gen is a drama agency and not a modelling agency. While we do receive briefs for all television commercials, we are very rarely approached with catalogue or catwalk work.
Yes. See JOINING for more information.
IWM Next Gen charges the industry standard – 10% (+GST) for all film, television and stage work and 15% (+GST) for all Commercial work.
Yes. All performers will be asked to sign a contract under the terms of which they agree to be represented by IWM Next Gen for the period of one year.
In this age of technology, almost all our briefs from casting agents come via email and 90% of those come through the online platforms such as Showcast, Casting Networks, or Altai. If your child is not on these sites, we cannot put them forward for that particular job.
Also, casting directors often use Showcast as a searchable database, so it is important that your child’s details are always up to date. For instance, they may be looking for a 12 year old girl who plays soccer and speaks French. If your child plays soccer and speaks French but these details aren’t listed on the site, they won’t be able to find her.
Fees are dependent upon the type of work.
Television commercials can pay well with a child in a speaking role (LEAD) expecting to earn between $1000 and $3000 depending on the size of the role and how long the commercial is aired. For featured or smaller roles fees can start from around $500 – $800 per commercial.
Film and TV pay less well and under MEAA rulings children in Victoria are only guaranteed 50% of the adult rate. However, as a proactive and reputable agency, IWM Next Gen always strives for our actors to paid at 75% of the adult rate, though unfortunately we cannot guarantee this. Also, as performers gain experience and profile, IWM Next Gen is able to negotiate higher fees on their behalf.
No. Entry into the adult agency (Ian White Management) will depend upon your skill level, training undertaken and our assessment of your professionalism. Some concessions are made for young performers – both by us in the agency and by industry professionals in general – but those concessions do not extended to professional adult actors. We therefore have to be sure that you are ready to follow through your commitment to performing as a career and that you will represent the adult agency in a positive and professional light. The majority of IWM actors are graduates of three-year acting degree courses such as NIDA, WAAPA, and VCA, and therefore the competition level increases exponentially. Decisions are made on an individual basis.