FAQ'S
Joining The Agency
To apply to be join our agency , please click here to submit your application. Should you be considered as potentially suitable for the agency, we will email you requesting a headshot snd some more information. If you are successful at this point we will then invite you to an audition or assessment. We will respond to every application. Please remember we need to keep our books as diverse as possible so we do need to be very selective, we only take on people who we feel honestly have a good chance of securing work. The agency decision is final but you are welcome to apply again next time our books are open.
Fees
In compliance with the BIS regulations , we do not charge a registration fee. We do however insist that all of our clients have an agency photo shoot at least once a year with our approved agency photographers. Although these shoots are charged, we believe they are a very reasonable price and they will capture the right kind of shots we need. We also strongly advise all performers over the age of 4 to purchase a spotlight membership , which more information can be found out about below.
Commission
Instead of charging a registration fee we receive commission on all fees except expenses. Therefore it is obviously in the agencies best interest to secure your child work. Our commission rates vary from 10% to 25% + VAT.
Is my child guaranteed work?
Any agency that answers this question with a YES! needs to be avoided completely Unfortunately there is no guarantee of work and although we have great connections with industry professionals and casting directors, we do not know what jobs will come in each day and what the criteria will be for those jobs. If you meet the criteria for a job and are available we will out you forward but please be aware that if you are not comfortable with your child missing out on school then please do not apply as castings come through very quickly and are often during school hours.
Sole Agency
Wally & Dolly is a sole agency, this means unfortunately you cannot be with another agency whilst represented by us.
Child Performance Licence
Agency Auditions
If you are aged over 5 you will be invited to attend an audition with us as part of the final stage of the application process. The auditions are free to attend and are a very important for us to meet you , if we don’t already know you and see how you are under an audition situation. If you are aged between 3 and 5 you will be invited for an assessment , this will be so that we can meet you and see how you are in new surroundings and with new people .
For babies & toddlers under 3yrs, we do not need to personally meet your child for an assessment. All parents should thoroughly read the FAQ's and asses them selves weather your baby/ toddler is of the right disposition and comfortable in different surroundings, including being happy to be held by different people.
Spotlight
Spotlight Children and Young Performers directory is the best way for anyone to promote themselves to casting directors. It is UK’s definitive database of performers aged 4 – 18. Children can only join Spotlight if they are represented by an agent and aged 4 or over.. Only children who are represented by an agent are eligible for Spotlight membership, it is one of the reasons why they are the casting community's most trusted database of young performers. All our talent is strongly advised clients to join Spotlight. It costs an annual fee of £106 (inc. VAT) plus a small agency admin fee. Access to Spotlight's online database is very secure and only vetted industry professionals are eligible .
Castings
Casting happen anywhere the UK and recently many take place via self tapes. You need to make sure you are available to travel to castings at short notice and keep the agency informed of any unavailability.
Bookings
Most jobs will take place during the working week and each jobs length depends on the type of job. Often Parents / legal guardians are required to be chaperones. If the job requires a bigger / longer commitment then a licensed chaperone may be appointed by the production team. Over 16s will not require a chaperone as you will be classed as an adult.
Children under the statutory school leaving age, even babies to gain a license from their local authority under the The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014. This license needs to be in place before the performance date.