There is an old saying in Hollywood: "Never work with children or animals." But, if you stick around long enough, you're sure to encounter one or both, and you'll need to make special arrangements to see that they are cared for properly.
When it comes to employing kids, back-to-school time brings with it a whole new class of challenges to consider. On September 9th, 2009 it will be safe to say that most of the country has gone "back to school," and most states will require that the education of your working minors not be hampered by their participation in a production.
By making education your top priority when minors are on set, and by planning it into your workday, you will find the day will run much more smoothly and everyone (producer, a.d's, teachers and children) will get what they need done within the allotted amount of time.
Here are some tips for maintaining excellent educational standards on set:
Don't Assume Anything: If you call a child in for a 3pm call, don't assume that they have already attended school that day and can work with you for eight hours after that. You need to know the law. In the state of California, for example, the law states that all time spent in regular school (home school included) counts as six hours out of the minor's workday, leaving you with 2.5, 3.5 or 4.5 hours of remaining work time depending on the child's age. Read the law.
Hire a Studio Teacher: Studio Teachers oversee the education of your working minor and in states like California you need to hire a studio teacher. Union Rules also regulate child-actor employment requiring a teacher whenever a minor misses more than two consecutive days of school due to employment.
Communicate: Talk to your Studio Teacher at the beginning of your day. A Studio Teacher's main concern is the education and welfare of each child on set. Proper communication before the shoot will ensure that your studio teacher is able to assist you in creating an efficient working environment. Explain to the teacher your plan for accomplishing the required three hours of education time and allow them to identify any possible problems.
Provide an Adequate Educational Environment: What does 'adequate' mean? Children need to have an area that provides appropriate lighting, seating, heat/air, etc and is free from distractions. A trailer that is being used for hair and makeup, for example, cannot be used for education. Similarly, kids cannot be expected to sit in the park on a sunny day to study.
In addition, industry pros working with kids need to be aware of things like inappropriate language and habits (such as smoking) that may negatively affect the children on set. Do the right thing! Set standards for responsible producing that go above and beyond the law, rule or guideline. Share with us your ideas on how we can all improve the child-actor experience by contact us.
