Kimberly is a successful children’s acting teacher and private coach. She has been seen coaching on ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, THE TODAY SHOW, SHOWBIZ MOM’S & DAD’S and OPRAH. She is featured in the book “ACTING IS EVERYTHING” and was named one of the top coaches in Los Angeles in casting director Bonnie Gillespie’s weekly Actors Access column.
Kimberly’s students have worked on television shows such as TWO AND A HALF MEN, EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, WIZZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE, GHOST WHISPERER, CRIMINAL MINDS, LEVERAGE, HANNAH MONTANA, iCARLY, WITHOUT A TRACE, ER, CSI, GREY’S ANATOMY, SURVIVING SUBURBIA, HOUSE, ZOEY 101, HUFF, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, THE OC, MY WIFE & KIDS, 7TH HEAVEN, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, PASSIONS, GILMORE GIRLS, BOSTON LEGAL, SIX FEET UNDER, in feature films such as FOUR CHRISTMASES, DREAMGIRLS, THE TRANSPORTER 2, DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR, FREAKY FRIDAY, THE BANGER SISTERS, BIG FAT LIAR, …lots of Los Angeles theater, hundreds of commercials and much more…
Kimberly has a real gift with kid and adult actors, an ability to pull their best acting out of them while making it the most fun and encouraging experience they can have, teaching indispensable skills to create growth and mastery of their craft. She focuses on guiding actors to strive to reach their full potential by instilling the tools necessary AND confidence for them to persevere and always do their best.
BSM- Kimberly, how did you get your start teaching children acting?
KC- “I started in San Francisco over ten years ago. A casting director there asked if I would help out with a kid’s weekend acting seminar. I fell in love with it and have never looked back.”
BSM- Not everyone has the ability to work children due to the amount of patience it requires. What makes you different?
KC- “I think it’s that I really enjoy being around kids of all ages. It doesn’t feel like work to me, I feel lucky to be a part of their young lives. I also tend to talk to kids and teens on their own level, they respond to me when they feel we are peers knowing that I am also an actor and I’m sharing my experience and knowledge with them…they respect that and it opens them up to learning. I also produce, write and direct kid and teen demo reels, so being on-set with them all day helps with the patience aspect. It’s actually great for them too to learn about patience with other actors whether they be kid or adult actors and just about being on set all day. Patience is a virtue right!”
BSM- What do you think it takes to bring out a child’s unique personality?
KC- “I feel the key here is to let them be themselves. So often I see parents telling their child before an audition “be polite and behave” but then the kids aren’t really being true to themselves. They end up “behaving”, often stiffen up and don’t speak unless they are spoken too first. We need to let them just “be kids” and allow their natural personality to shine through. Sometimes it’s the quirky things they say that wins over casting, so we should also try to steer away from telling them what to say or talk about if asked questions during an audition. Although they can always be working on their skills and technique I try to encourage kids to know that they are good enough just as they are. I think this helps them to open up to themselves and get out of their own way.”
BSM- Share with us some of the projects your students have booked that you are most proud of.
KC- “I can’t watch TV in a single week without seeing one of my students in a commercial, or on a TV show or in a trailer for an upcoming movie. It’s great! But, there aren’t really particular bookings that stand out to me. I’m proud of them when they work hard and are rewarded with bookings, but I’m also just as proud of the kids who are working just as hard but haven’t had the bookings yet. Just getting an audition in this town is something to cheer about. Just showing up to class on a regular basis (while others are out playing all the time) is something a kid should be proud of. This business is full of rejection, constant rejection. We shouldn’t just reward our kids with hugs when they book something.”
BSM- You have helped your students land a ton of dream roles. What do you think made them stand out from the rest of the actors that auditioned?
KC- “I honestly feel that with kids it’s about being really prepared. So often I’ll come across kids who come to me for coaching for a series regular role in a network pilot with the audition being a few hours away and the kids aren’t even off book. If they haven’t taken the time to learn their lines (the easiest part) by no means have they worked on and made any strong choices yet. I don’t feel you can really start to play with and create your character until your head is out of the page. Although what I am really good at is helping breakdown scripts and come up with unique and interesting strong choices during a coaching session, if I’m spending most of the time helping learns the lines the session won’t be as beneficial. When kids first come into my classes they think that by reading over a script a few times that is good enough practice…but this is the big leagues, if you truly want to compete in this town you have to go not just one but two steps beyond what someone else will do to prepare. That might mean that you have to skip the movies with your friends one night because you need to stay home and work on your material. But, if you are serious about your career you will have to make some sacrifices along the way.”
BSM- You always hear horror stories about the parents of child actors. What has your experience been like working with them?
KC- “I have been very fortunate I suppose. I’ve only really come across a few “stage moms”. I’ve found the community at Actorsite where I teach to be very supportive. Many of the parents and kids become truly friends, which is a great thing as many of my students are home-schooled. I’ve noticed when I have come across a kid with a “stage mom” it’s often the parent who is really pushing the kids into it, and the kids themselves would rather be playing baseball. If you do see parents like this I would suggest just staying clear (literally, sit on the other side of the room if you must). You don’t want to get mixed up in their drama. And you certainly don’t want your kids to hear any of the nonsense that might come out of their mouths and get them all up in their heads worrying.
On another note I think being a parent of a child actor is tremendously challenging and hard work. Kudos to all of your parents! I think there needs to be a balance of business and fun for the kids. What I mean is that at a certain age parents should start to get the kids involved in making sure they have their extra headshots (have them staple those headshots and resumes themselves) with their acting kits, they should make sure they have a highlighter on their own, making sure they know when they need to stay home and practice and/or go to classes…help them start learning how they need to be responsible and about the “business” aspect of the career. As they get older they’re going to need to be on top of that stuff on their own, we may as well start teaching them now. But, for younger kids I feel that they should never have the pressure of “it’s a big call-back” on them. The parents should take that pressure on, but the kids should just hear something like, “they just wanted to see you again”. It’s just too much otherwise. If they have the stress on their shoulders knowing that this is a call-back that could change their life and career they will undoubtedly take that in the audition room with them. Basically, parents should shoulder the pressure and let the kids just “be kids”. That way they can audition without any encumbrance or worry and they’re free to let their charisma shine by just being themselves spontaneously. The last thing I always ask my coaching clients before they leave is “what’s the most important thing to remember?”. Often they say, “remember my lines”, or “look at the reader”…and my answer is always that the most important thing to remember at the audition is “to have fun” which always bring a smile to their face. That’s what it’s all about.”
BSM- Lastly, if you could give advice to every show biz parent out there what would it be?
KC- “I think it’s very important for parents to be sure kids have some sort of hobby or activity that has nothing to do with this industry. If they are all-consumed with Hollywood all the time “they will” burn out. Child actors need to be fully rounded, kids need to be able to draw upon life experiences during acting jobs that they might not have had if they are constantly just running from dance class to acting class to audition to voice class, they don’t have much to draw upon. They need some time at the park to run around and chase birds or hang out at the mall with their friends or whatever…let them be kids. Producers want to hire “kids”. Having some off time every week to just do something fun will recharge them and keep them going. I’d also say to the parents remember to take some time for yourselves too. You’re constantly driving all over the city back and forth, printing sides, answering calls…you can get worn out too. Honor yourself by taking care of your needs too. It’s like on the airplane when they say “if the oxygen masks come down, put yours on first and then assist others.”
My hat’s off to you though…it’s a noble thing to work so hard to help your kid’s dreams come true!” J
Kimberly can be reached at (310) 463-7136 / kimberly_crandall@hotmail.com / www.kimberlycrandallactingcoach.com
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