Disney and Nickelodeon Make Child Stars Pt. 4

Popularity contest

Like most talent scouting processes, hopefuls generally come in the door at Disney Channel and Nick through agents, managers, casting directors and recommendations from others in the industry, particularly young actors themselves. Disney Channel execs periodically try to hold discreet open calls in various cities. They work through local talent reps and acting schools, and occasionally place a local ad that doesn’t identify it as a Disney Channel-hosted audition.

Two years ago they made the rounds, and out of 5,000 kids who cycled through their stops in a handful of cities, a girl from Texas stood out in Marsh’s mind. The young actress, Selena Gomez, was cast in the pilot for the spinoff of “Lizzie McGuire,” which didn’t go, and last year they gave her two more pilots, one of which became the recently launched series “The Wizards of Waverly Place.”

“That’s a question of betting on talent,” Marsh says. “Once you find the person, you’ve got to make a commitment to give them work to get their shot.”

Source- Variety