LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 16, 2008) - Children In Film, Inc. (CIF), a new online
social networking service and resource center for child actors and parents,
today launched a new web site (
www.childreninfilm.com), that simplifies the
way child actors, parents and industry professionals access and share
information. CIF provides a secure and trusted environment where parents
can safely promote their children to industry professionals and increase
their opportunity for employment. CIF is also the only national, regionally
targeted site that features a robust database where members can
rate and
recommend participating service providers, and producers and casting
directors can access a database of actors' profiles/headshots by various
search criteria. CIF is conducting a beta period and offering its Enhanced
Membership for free until April 1, 2008.
Founder and CEO of Children In Film, Inc. Toni Casala has become an expert
over the past 20 years on child labor laws. This experience sparked the
desire to create a comprehensive online community to help make powerful
connections, promote a positive and balanced view into the world of child
actors, and provide everything a child actor, parent or industry
professional would need to achieve success. CIF is a comprehensive resource
hub offering its
Free
"Basic Members" rich content on nationwide child labor laws, industry
rules, education/schooling, success stories, money management, and set
etiquette for newcomers to the entertainment industry.
"One of our goals at CIF is to help parents keep their kids on the right
track, avoiding the pitfalls that can sometimes be associated with fame at
an early age," said Ms. Casala. "Our members will benefit by learning from
one another through
child actor success stories, 'power parent' interviews
and
blogs from parents
who have managed to successfully navigate their children's acting careers
with a healthy, balanced and positive approach. And our one-of-a-kind
service provider rating system gives parents insights to which businesses
are consistently providing high-quality, affordable services, and which are
not meeting their commitments."
Contrary to stereotypical perceptions, many child actors do go on to become
successful both within and outside of the entertainment industry. A study
by Lisa Rapport, PhD. noted, "The environment of the entertainment industry
is not necessarily toxic to normal development. Instead, the results
support the well-established theory that good parenting serves as a buffer
for life stress."
"We are excited about working with an organization that is clearly setting
an example of leadership in our industry," said AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit
Union Vice President, Marketing and Communications Todd Nelson. "AFTRA-SAG
Federal Credit Union actively promotes Children In Film, both online in the
'Coogan Accounts' section of our web site and also in our 'Coogan Trustee
Survival Kit.'"
All-Access Free Until April 1, 2008
Industry professionals, service providers and parents receive free Enhanced
Membership benefits until April 1st, 2008, including:
-- Access to all CIF content
-- Postings of bios and complete resumes as well as multiple headshots or
portfolio photos to increase opportunities
-- A way to discover, contact, rate and recommend other members
-- A vehicle to post and monitor casting call information and audition
opportunities
-- Direct referrals on industry professionals such as talent agents,
managers and photographers, who have been rated by fellow actors/parents
-- The KidStart program featuring 10 Easy Steps to getting started in the
industry
-- Participation in a secure and non-threatening social networking forum
After April 1st, Basic Membership is still free and includes a limited
profile with one photo posting, access to basic site information, and a
newsletter; and Enhanced Members will pay a nominal monthly fee of $12.99.
CIF Industry Professional Key Benefits include:
-- For talent agents, managers and casting directors - a comprehensive
database of child talent, legal information on employing minors, and the
ability to post FREE casting notices.
-- For service providers such as photographers, coaches and classes - the
ability to promote their services, and receive tools to find new clients.
In addition, they can improve the quality of their services by taking note
of member feedback.
-- For studio teachers - hard-to-find information on state laws and
credentialing requirements; and the ability to market their services to
producers and put a face with a name via their profiles, which can be
viewed by parents and professionals.
"CIF is the ultimate resource for everything you want and need to know
about children working in the entertainment industry," said Emily Glatter,
Vice President of Production Administration at New Line Productions, Inc.
"No matter what the topic, how quickly and thoroughly I need a question
answered, CIF is always my first and only call. There is no one more
knowledgeable about this subject than CIF's Toni Casala. I can't say enough
about this terrific resource and service!"
About Children In Film
Based in Los Angeles, Calif., Children In Film, Inc. (CIF) is the most
comprehensive social networking site that simplifies the way child actors,
parents, employers and entertainment industry professionals access critical
information, allowing them to connect, share and increase opportunities for
success. CIF is the only complete and trusted industry resource center that
features a robust database where members can rate and recommend
participating service providers to minimize the risk of hiring the wrong
person or company. Founded in 2000, CIF is focused on empowering child
actors, parents and industry professionals with the tools and information
to successfully conduct business, while promoting the healthy, positive
side of the entertainment industry. For more information, contact
www.childreninfilm.com.
Contact Information: Contact:
Cathy Sperrazzo
Eye-To-Eye Communications, Inc.
(858) 565-9800