Steven C. Beer is a well-established New York film, television, and music attorney who practices with Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo, PC. Leveraging personal experience as a stage parent, Steven C. Beer is author of the 2015 book Your Child’s Career in Music and Entertainment: The Prudent Parent’s Guide.
Mr. Beer prefaces the work by noting that in many ways, the digitally defined present is the ideal time for children to pursue careers in entertainment. As production costs have decreased, barriers to entry are far fewer than before and marketplace access is no longer such a challenge. Artists such as Justin Bieber have successfully built international careers based on initial YouTube success.
At the same time, the core challenges of the performing-arts-centered lifestyle, particularly for young thespians and musicians, remain formidable. One critical aspect of this involves keeping success and what that entails in perspective. The expression “not all currency is green,” applies, as many children and their parents find that the greatest reward of artistic endeavors is the pursuit of them. As with anything that involves significant time and effort (and generates income), there are many caveats to an early career in entertainment and the book examines them from the parents’ perspective.
Mr. Beer prefaces the work by noting that in many ways, the digitally defined present is the ideal time for children to pursue careers in entertainment. As production costs have decreased, barriers to entry are far fewer than before and marketplace access is no longer such a challenge. Artists such as Justin Bieber have successfully built international careers based on initial YouTube success.
At the same time, the core challenges of the performing-arts-centered lifestyle, particularly for young thespians and musicians, remain formidable. One critical aspect of this involves keeping success and what that entails in perspective. The expression “not all currency is green,” applies, as many children and their parents find that the greatest reward of artistic endeavors is the pursuit of them. As with anything that involves significant time and effort (and generates income), there are many caveats to an early career in entertainment and the book examines them from the parents’ perspective.
