School on
Set
Be cool, prepare for school. That's the
mantra that we consistently hear our studio teachers chanting.
Let's be honest, the shoot that you're
working on is extremely important. No matter what your role - be it producer or director, casting director, studio teacher or crew member - your enthusiasm is high, and this job is
a priority. We commend you for that, but if you are working with kids the
fact is this: Education Must Not and
Can Not Be Neglected.
California Law states that children who miss
regular school for work must be provided with three hours of educational
instruction by a California Certified Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker.
Beyond California borders however, you will find that the laws vary from state to
state and that many states don't even regulate the employment of minors in
entertainment, much less school on set. When the law doesn't require
education, union rules usually do. Both SAG and AFTRA contracts regulate
school on set and require that credentialed teachers are provided. At
Children In Film we feel strongly about the fact that it is unreasonable to
expect a child to work all day and then go home and make up missed assignments
and be fresh for work/school again the next day. In order to help you
with education on set, we've dedicated an entire section of the site to education, and we also have a
few pointers for Industry Professionals.
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Be aware of the laws: Producers /Coordinators/AD's should all be aware of the laws
and the hours that each child will need to be schooled. Don't assume that
the parent can "excuse" the child from schooling during your
production.
School the kids first: If your shoot doesn't start until 11am, or if the kids aren't scheduled to be
on camera until noon, call them in early and get school out of the way first
thing in the morning.
Communicate with the studio teacher: Don't assume they know what your plan is to accommodate schooling throughout
the work day. Have a conversation about education first thing in the
morning. Let the teachers know that the education of your child actors is
a priority for you and that EVERY effort has been made to ensure that both time
and space have been made available.
Remember that though they are working with adults, kids are still
kids. By preparing for education in advance and understanding the challenges
of everyone's production role, you can eliminate problems before they happen
and ensure that all children get the education they need and deserve. Prepare
for education.
ChildrenInFilm.com has made searching laws and finding teachers
easy.
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