An Interview with Dylan Sprayberry

In light of the fact that the Children In Film Speaker Series will soon be hosting Carl Sprayberry and his two children, Dylan and Ellery, CIF and Carl sat down with the kids for a brief "update interview." We wanted to give readers the opportunity to find out what is going on with the kids.

The following is Dylan's Interview:

Q: How and why did you get started in acting?

DS: When I got started at [age] five, I was too young to really know what acting was. Now I understand and acting is one of my favorite things to do!


Q: What current child actor/actress inspires you?

DS: Not really kid actors so much; I like Hugh Jackman and Bruce Willis because they get so much into their characters.


Q: So do you hope to maybe have a similar career path as one of these adult actors?

DS: Hugh Jackman, maybe, because he plays characters in Superhero and action movies. How cool is it that he booked Wolverine that lead to 3 Xmen Films and the latest "Origin of Wolverine" That would be so much fun to do all of those films!


Q: And he just did the Oscars! That is cool!! So do you see acting as a hobby or a career?

DS: I see acting as a career because it is what I want to do; it's the best! ... and a great way to make friends.


Q:What about school? Do you think it helps with your acting or makes it more difficult?

DS: It helps. In school you learn things about history that can help me when I'm thinking about or getting into a character.


Q: That's a good point; how else do you work on your craft?

DS: When I'm reading a script I vision in my mind who my character is, what he looks like, where I am and what the setting looks like. I also take classes and get coached; this helps me connect with the character.


Q: So you take classes with a professional?

DS: Yes, most Saturdays. And I have for three years now.


Q: Is there something neat you've learned from your parents, in a class, or on the set that you use as a trick or tool while you work? For example, a special way to memorize lines?

DS: Subtexting.


Q: Wow, that sounds complicated. What is that?

DS: I think of one word that best describes the character, like if I were playing a football kid I would think of being a jock and work on building the character from that word.


Q: How do you think your parents help you as an actor?

DS: My parents help me with the script breakdowns and understanding the character. My parents take me to auditions and coaching sessions. They buy me drawing materials and different things that help me as an actor.


Q: Is there something you think they could do better or that you wish they would do?

DS: No; my parents do everything they should be doing.


Q: What would you tell all the kids out there that want to be working regularly as an actor like you?

DS: Be prepared and have fun, you don't have to book to be good, just do your best work.


Q: What would you tell their parents?

DS: I would tell the parents to watch for the other kids telling their kids that they can't act or they're not good, because some kids aren't nice.


Q: Like bullying you mean? One actor tries to tell another one that they aren't good?

DS: Yes


Q: How's life now? Any new news or something you want to share with us? It can be anything.

DS: Life is amazing because my parents make my life great and they steer me the right way with a great home and I have great friends and I love drawing superheros and faces. Ellery and I just completed a film as brother and sister; it was awesome and awesome to work with my sister!

An Interview with Ellery Sprayberry

The following is an interview conducted with Ellery Sprayberry:


Q: Why and how did you get started in acting?

ES: I got starting in acting because my parents made it happen. Today I really love acting; it's my life, I love acting!

Q: What current child actors or actresses inspire you?

ES: I like Macaulay Culkin. He makes his movies seem so real.

Q: Macaulay is all grown up now. Do you admire any adult actors?

ES: Lesley Ann Warren. She makes me feel inspired and she makes it fun. That's what I really look up to.

Q: Is acting your hobby or your career?

ES: I think it's a career for me because I really, really love acting. I know it will be in my life forever.

Q: What about school? Do you think it helps with your acting or makes it more difficult?

ES: I think it helps. School is what makes you smart. If you want to be an actor or actress you always have to be smart and think because thats part of acting.

Q: How do you work on your craft?

ES: I focus on my scripts and take them seriously. Every time I go to my coach he teaches me and this is how you learn to be better. Little things that help me are learning the beats. I go to a weekly class along with the auditions and filming and that helps me get better.

Q: Do you take classes?

ES: Yes with Janet Alhanti


Q: Is there something neat you've learned from your parents, in a class, or on the set that you use as a trick or tool while you work...like something that makes you memorize lines?

ES: If I am playing a sad character or a scene I think of something really really sad and I don't talk when I'm getting into character. I taught myself how to cry; a scene that is sad will help me get into character and make it easier to cry.


Congrats on teaching yourself to cry! That's tough!
ES: Thanks


Q: How do you think your parents help you as an actor?

ES: Well they always inspire me and tell me things like "you can do it" and "You're the best" and that really helps me get into character.


Q: Is there something you think they could do better or that you wish they would do?

ES: They are the best parents ever. They could buy me an iPhone. (smiles) Just kidding!


Q: What would you tell other kids that want to be actors?

ES: To always do your best on auditions and you'll start making fans. Trust me. After you make fans you get more auditions and even if you book a small part its special to book anything so always think that way.


Q: Would you tell their parents anything?

ES: I would probably say that [they should] always inspire [their] kids and never let them down. I mean, always tell them they are the best.


Q: How is life right now? Anything you want to share with us? It can be about anything.

ES: Well I think life is fantastic, but part of it, on the other side is that my grandfather is in the hospital which makes me feel sad.


We're sorry to hear that, El


ES: My family is worried about my Grandma and it makes me sad when my mom is sad. We try to make the best out of it. I like LA because its so outgoing and fun! I have a new "Movie of the Week" coming out March 7th staring Lesley Ann Warren and Meredith Baxter called "Bound By A Secret"



Congrats Ellery! Keep us posted!!

Dylan's Recognition

It’s Monday night; Dana and the kids have just jetted from shopping at Fred Segal on Melrose Ave. Then they are on to Santa Monica to make a callback for Ellery, and from there, more fun shopping at Fred Segal Santa Monica.

Fred Segal has this great annual sale and when possible we take advantage of it. While shopping, a lady calls out to Dylan using his character name from an episode they were working on (Mother & Son) a year earlier.

As they connected, hugged and talked the lead actress informed Dana that she had requested Dylan once again to play her son in another episode being shot this month; such an honor for Dylan.

My phone text alerts me as to what’s taking place in Santa Monica; as I read Dana’s quick text it occurrs to me how really cool it felt to see this kind of sincere recognition and memory retention this well-known actress was extending to our son.

As I envisioned the live scene playing out at Fred Segal with our family and this kind actress, many thoughts ran through my head, however, one in particular stood out, good things happen to good people, this was Dylan’s moment of recognition.

Dylan is such a great person to be around. His sense of respectful playfulness, an extraordinary level of sincerity and kindness, and of course it doesn’t hurt to be a talented actor make him a likable child.

Hollywood is a beautiful place; a setting filled with amazingly giving people, one must earn the genuine treatment and it must be real in return, in our family we ask only for the opportunities to earn the gift of being on set.

We define great work as preparation, punctuality and politeness additionally recognizing that we have a responsibility to respect the entire business process.

Repeat business opportunities come from businesses that are reliable and delivery of a great product - a reliable and dependable product and our little actors are the product.

The quicker one understands this reality the better. It can be challenging because this is an often emotionally charged process for us parents; the good news is that it’s easier than we often make it - RELAX have FUN do GREAT WORK!

We are grateful for this exciting entertainment arena we are privileged to play and grow in. We know Hollywood will remember you when a part is right for you and if they trust you, good things will happen.

Our posture is to be kind and real. Fact is, this town has a great memory... Good, Bad or Ugly. Let them remember you and your children as the "good."
CS

A Time to Remember

We worked for five months towards the opportunity and hope of booking “Eloise Goes To Paris.” The last of Ellery’s six auditions was a noon session with the Director Charles Shyer on Saturday, February 2, 2008.

After the audition we dropped off Stan (Ellery’s Coach) then headed over to our neighborhood hangout Aroma Café. Ellery ran inside to visit as I caught up with a friend just outside the library seating area. Ten minutes later I walked in and took note of Ellery standing at the head of a table engaging with 4 adult ladies - Ellery, submerged in girl talk, was looking quite cute. I quickly noticed one of the ladies was a tenured Hollywood actress.

Respectfully I quickly wrapped up the conversation and thanked the ladies for making time to visit with Elle. When I looked at the leading lady to say thank you, she ask if Ellery was my daughter and I proudly answered yes. She then placed her hand on her heart and said a few very kind and sincere words with respect to Elle.

I never told Ellery who she was; I just left it at a table of nice ladies who appreciated the loving spirit of a sweet little seven-year-old with whom they enjoyed talking and laughing.

Fast forward to April, Ellery auditions for a MOW leading role, and a few days later she is awarded the leading role, WOW!!! Ellery was scheduled to report to set on a Tuesday, and on Monday we get a call inviting us to come and meet the other leads who happen to be filming just a mile or two from us.

As we enter the set, the actress who I mentioned above looks at me, I ‘m reading her lips and I'm thinking she is saying something regarding Ellery. That’s when I figured I must be hallucinating on set, maybe a little too excited. A few minutes later the introductions start and I hear the other leading actress say something to Ellery about someone recommending her for this role,... now I’m really dreaming!

Did I mention that I had a cold and was a bit stuffed up and a little disoriented? :) The next thing I hear from the other leading actress is that she was so happy they took her recommendation and chose Ellery for the leading child role. I have never been so astonished in my life and had no words. I only held back tears of appreciation that I cannot begin to express. I’m staring at this kind actress. I say to her, "how do I respond to something as kind as what you have done for Ellery?" My heart pounding with joy, I gave her a hug and thanked her.

WOW, what a moment that was!!!

She told me that since that day when her and Ellery first met she had not stopped thinking or talking of her, which really got to me; I can’t believe I held it together.

We all know how hard we work to earn the chance to make set. This was a leading role. This gift came by way of an actress who believed in a little girl she had met just two months earlier and after only chatting for 10 or 15 minutes.

If lessons can be learned for other families though, it is a testament to the impressions we all make in the first moments of meeting someone - no matter who they are or what they do. If we make it a point to treat all people with respect and to teach our children to speak up, shake hands, smile and present their true selves, we never know who we will impress or leave an impression on.

Ellery spent five splendid weeks working with this incredible team. From the Director, Producers, Cast & Crew she, was part of a family and an experience she will treasure forever. Her relationship with this wonderful person has blossomed into a real girly friendship; they have breakfast and movie dates they’ve even included Dylan in on the fun.

Once again, Hollywood has such a big heart; there are great and giving people everywhere, embrace the friendships, we can’t have enough real friends in life, its all fun! CS

That One Thing

Before I share my latest tid-bit on surviving child-actor parenting, I want to reference City Slickers.

Jack Palance, holding his finger in Billy’s Crystal’s face, proceeds to tell Billy’s character "its all about that one thing." This carries on through both City Slickers films and makes total sence in both.

I personally relate to it because life is about figuring things out. It's about finding those very few successful things which lead to happiness, but like anything you have to decide what is important to you. What will you truly sacrifice to earn that thing in life that you want so dearly??

So often we fail to break things down to a simple understanding. What is your "one thing." Are you ready to stick with it?

I choose to believe that most of one's business objectives are simple. If we can remove the peripheral emotional aspects and truly identify what we are trying to accomplish we will know, without question, the exact hurdles we must jet.

So ask yourself -
Are you and your child interested in the craft of acting?
Are you interested in earning money for college?
Do you want fame?

What is your "one thing?" Is it reasonable? Is it respectable? Is it fair to your child?

Going back to the beginning of January 2006, I remember standing in front of the Oakwood Clubhouse in Toluca Lake. As I stood there with Dylan and Ellery each holding my hands and knowing there were many parents and children inside waiting for the evening's serving of a Hollywood professional to teach us all something new, I was blown away with this new and unknown universe. And in the same moment I knew, without question, there is an easy way to accomplish one's goals; it is done by way of breaking down the big picture and discovering the individual parts that yield success.


You must become a student of your opportunity at hand. In our case (and most likely in your case as a parent of a child actor) it was starting a new business, SHOW BUSINESS. And as much as I loved the business (or at least the result), I had no clue as to how to become successful at it.

I was confident, however, in knowing I could find the path to success. I knew we would need to relentlessly pursue our objectives while learning and taking note along the way, again, trying to always simplify our success matrix but never giving up and continuing to break down the success measures.

We are fortunate to have many dear friends today as we explore and enjoy this gift we live in (Hollywood). Being considered "working actors" is a dream world filled with excitement and reward!


As I listen, learn and sometimes advise when we gather to educate and understand our Hollywood path I hear many different things and see warming and sometimes unusual reactions.



I hear so many things that I could write a book, but here’s the point; when you remove the emotion, the guessing of what the casting office thinks (you will never figure this out, Do Not Spend Your Time On This Area) how they liked you, the gossip and spread of false information and so on, you will be able to get back to your "one thing." For our family - the decision has been made to focus on this: Do Good Work.

The only thing you have any control over is the work you are doing. You want acting to be your craft? Do good work. You want to make money for college? Do good work. You want to be famous? Fine - Do good work!.

Once you cross that casting room threshold, go in prepared and confident, listen and have fun, be your self - be real not ON! Do good work.

There you have it, simple, do great work, get great feedback and great booking results. We have learned to be just as excited to book as we are to receive a callback followed by confirming feedback. We have came close on some great projects and have booked great projects; we now know its about the work. If your child felt like they did good work and you had them prepared, that’s all you can do.

Remember, this is a lifelong path, there is no easy way in. Its tough work and like any business you must understand what the real what are defined as true measures of success.



Have fun, be real, be prepared, and most importantly, Love Your Children!

CS

SAG - waiting for the butterfly

SAG, the Screen Actors Guild, is often a topic of discussion amongst child actors and their parents - - that is, even when they aren't considering a strike! Should my child be in a union? How do I get in to a union? Will I get more jobs and higher paying ones once I'm in a union?

My advice to you when considering your options in regards to unions like SAG and AFTRA is don’t panic, don’t rush, and let the process take course!

So many thinking joining SAG is the answer for an automatic path to success. Although it is very important for a working actor to be a part of the union, it is even more important that you become a member when the time is right.

Obviously you must become eligible first. And while there are a few different ways to become eligible, my fear is that some parents are so eager to get their children into SAG that they go to extremes to make it happen. The problem is, using these "Shortcuts," may get you in to SAG, but what will you do once you're there? The work may actually come less often at first.

The truth is, there are no real shortcuts to joining. I suggest that you devote the same time and energy to finding solid representation and ensuring that when you get an audition you are ready. Once you have booked a few projects (SAG signatory) you will be required to join and things will work their way out. In the process, your child will have become truly ready for SAG.

Think of it like this - if you have a cocoon and are eager to see the butterfly, there are many ways to speed up the opening of a cocoon. You could force it open right? But would the butterfly be ready?

Without a doubt, becoming a member of SAG was a good thing for Dylan and Ellery, but it came on its own. It was not our goal or focus. SAG is very credible and many projects will ask for SAG only casting calls and for this reason, by all means join when your child becomes eligible.

For some, this is easier said than done. The cost is not minuscule. We could have joined much earlier than we did but my thinking was that we were saving $3300.00 to join and also leaving ourselves open forboth SAG and Non-Union auditions which would increase our booking opportunities.

In retrospect, I feel that the SAG-only casting calls way outweighed the non-union opportunities for us and this is most likely because the kids were at the appropriate stage to be joining.

One last point - I believe that becoming SAG says that you have worked and that you have been on a set and you have real filming experience. With young children, this is an important factor and a great resume builder. Being in SAG is an honor and a benefit, but one that is so because it is earned.

Best of luck to all of you - keep me posted on your successes!!

CS

Thoughts on raising a good "stage kid"

Dana and I watch our little actors closely, additionally we watch other child actors, and actually, we watch and pay attention to kids in general, especially the kids in our immediate lives.

What we are looking at is behavioral traits; We may choose to not allow our kids to associate with kids who are disrespectful. Additionally we speak straight and with great clarity when our kids fail to meet our expectations. If behavior is good - hugs and pats on the back. If behavior needs improvement, we redirect.

Our number one objective is to raise kind, considerate and respectful children. We attempt to bring Dylan & Ellery up as confident and well-rounded leaders. Whether they choose to remain within the entertainment industry is their call, but how they treat others and communicate is our responsibility to teach.


Just the other day we were connecting the dots from our parental behavior to their behavior and in doing so found ourselves evaluating and asking ourselves what kind of parent leaders are we? If our behavior directly affects theirs, then are we behaving as "stage parents" or "child actor parents" (as previously discussed)?

My first thought on what defined the difference between parenting as a "stage parent" rather than a "child actor parent" was based on discrete versus indiscreet parental behavior, on the set and otherwise. I believe that discrete parenting is reflected in children who may lean more toward a workable & genuine style on set. On the other hand, indiscreet & "rougher" parenting seems to find the kids leaning on the side of acting out more.

I am making this concept simple for a reason: While we all know there is much more to parenting than meets the eye, when we see how our children act, we must accept that our children’s behavior is a result of their environment. We obviously realize that everyone has a bad day or moment, that’s a given, but I am referring to consistent behavior traits.

If the parent is over-the-top, overly verbal, over dramatic, etc the child learns to behave in a similar manner. Where as a calm and collected parent tends to yield similar (not always perfect, but similar) behavior in offspring.

We reminded ourselves of how important it is that we remain discrete and focused on the film set objectives, additionally how we can successfully guide our little actors discretely rather than drawing attention to ourselves and issues that need to be addressed within the family, not within the company of the work environment.

The bottom line is that when children are on set and they know their boundaries and are prepared, the production process goes forward smoothly. Time is money and in this business; No one in production wants to work with a challenging individual, child or adult, and we have a choice.

At home and on set we can have a positive impact. And guess what. We, the parents, also have an opportunity to be appreciated as a solid member of the production team, not as an outsider - A simple reward for a job well done.