Editor’s note
In partnership with The Journal, teacher Jeff Cardy challenged his Grade 8 class at St. Michael’s Catholic School to write their own newspaper reports. This is the third in a three-part series.
Lucian Austin
Special to The Journal
Being a child actor has a lot of challenges.
They include driving to Toronto on short notice for a five-minute audition, and having to memorize eight pages of a script just for a slight chance of getting the job.
These and others are the everyday difficulties of being a child actor.
I am 14-years-old and have already started my dream of becoming an actor. I am signed to an agency (Anita Norris) and have attended several auditions for movies, TV shows and commercials, as well as being in a web-commercial for Popcorn Board.
I am also a model, who has done photo shoots with companies like Hudson's Bay, Sears and Urban Kids. But I haven't had these achievements by just sitting on the couch; it has taken a lot of effort and I try to perform to my best at every audition.
I have also had tremendous support from my mother. She has taken me to almost every audition, and without her I wouldn't be in this position.
But lately, this whole acting life has taken a toll. I’ve been getting fewer auditions — perhaps one a month compared to one a week. I am also getting fewer photo shoots, and probably haven't had one for at least six months.
This is mostly because I am no longer in the “kids” genre but at the same time not quite in the “teens. There are minimal job opportunities in my age range.
My Mother, Isabel, said: “He just doesn't get any jobs anymore and there's really nothing we can do.”
This has devastated me, that I cannot do my art nearly as often. I am looking forward to when I can fit into a “category.”
Then I may have my big break, but for now, I’ll just keep trying.