Alex Nicoll, 10, is keeping quiet about his appearance in Gary Allan's music video "Life Ain't Beautiful." The fourth-grader plays the son of a cheating gambler and is featured throughout the video, which began airing on Country Music Television last month.
"I don't like to brag," said Alex, who attends Garehime Elementary School.
He didn't have to worry about letting anyone know because his mom, Dana Nicoll, was too excited to keep it to herself.
"I told everyone," Nicoll said.
Nicoll said Alex also was the patient one during the eight hours they waited to shoot his scenes on the set in Las Vegas.
According to Nicoll, while they sat in their car waiting, Alex offered advice like a veteran screen star.
"He said, 'Mom, chill. This is the biz,' " she said.
True, he has yet to reach the plateau of a Robert Redford. But you've got to start somewhere.
"It was a good experience," Alex said. "They had to get the lighting just right. It was cut, action, cut, action. Now I know what it would be like to be in a movie."
Although this is not Alex's first role -- he also has been in a local Carpet Barn commercial, in print ads and has done some runway modeling -- the video has inspired him to do more. He began taking acting classes at the Kids Talent Network and wants to move to Malibu, Calif., when he makes it big.
"I thought acting class would be a lot different," Alex said. "You do a lot of speaking, memorize commercials and make commercials."
The classes, which each last 90 minutes weekly, are designed to teach children on-camera acting, using monologues, commercials and improvisation. The sessions do not emphasize theatrical or stage acting.
Alex Simon, owner of the Kids Talent Network, said he encourages his students to be ambitious but is more concerned with the children enjoying what they are doing.
Simon said although the Kids Talent Network offers services in scouting, developing and promoting talent, he also wants children to gain confidence, self-esteem and public speaking experience that can help them even if they do not pursue a career in acting.
"We're offering something positive, something I wish I had (as a child)," Simon said. "I want them to come out of class with something they wouldn't otherwise have."
Classes are divided into four levels -- basic acting, intermediate acting, advanced acting and professional acting. Each level is open to students ages 5 to 17 based on where their coach thinks they will do best. Each student gets time to perform in class and gets 1-on-1 attention from their coach.
There are three acting coaches who have professional Hollywood experience. Artie Anderson has coached Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kirsten Dunst, David Spade and many others. Kalena Von Schnier has worked with talent that has appeared on television shows such as "ER" and "Veronica Mars," and Rose Heeter has coached more than 3,000 students, including several up-and-coming Las Vegas child actors.
"The classes are about improving the child's ability more than about learning new things," Simon said.
At the end of each semester, the students put on a showcase for friends, family and industry professionals. Some students also participate in the Millie Lewis Actors, Models & Talent competition in Orlando, Fla.
"Las Vegas has a lot of talent, especially young talent, and most kids have no way to make it to Hollywood," Simon said. "I am well-connected enough in Los Angeles that if I think someone has talent, I can bring them in front of agents."
The Kids Talent Network is enrolling students for its summer program, which runs in two-week sessions, three hours a day from June through August. There are morning and afternoon classes. For more information, visit www.kidstalent.net.
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