Working With Kids On Set

There are very strict regulations that must be followed when working with any kid in California, and also when working in other locations around the country (or around the world) with any kid from California.

Age Determines How Many Hours a Day a Child May Work

A Studio teacher is there to make sure a child is taken off set on time. I do not have the authority to extend the time, but I will make sure to let the directors know well in advance, with reminders, when that time is approaching.

What you need to have in order to be in compliance when working with minors on set:

1.) a licensed California studio teacher , 2.) a permit to employ minors , and 3.) a current (non-expired) entertainment work permit for each minor (anyone who hasn’t graduated high school yet).

Entertainment work permits don’t cost anything, provided the production has sufficient lead time to have the parents get one. Work permits are good for six months, and they must be renewed. There are temporary work permits available for a $50 fee. They are good only for 10 days, and cannot be renewed. A studio teacher cannot allow a child without a valid permit to begin work (not even just sitting in hair or make up.)

If it’s a school day, any minor six years old or older needs to do three hours of school as part of their work day. School must be done in increments of 20 minutes or more until three hours is reached. If the minor is in sixth grade or below, school must be completed by 4:00 PM; seventh graders and older have until 7:00 PM. There must be a quiet space designated for school, and only the studio teacher and the students are allowed to use the space. Even homeschooled children must be taught by the studio teacher, not the parent. Parents, however, must remain on site during schooling, although it is the only time. the “within sight or sound” rule does not apply. On a school day, the ratio of studio teacher to children is 10:1. On days when school is not in session, one studio teacher is ok with up to 20 kids.

:

A valid work permit

Three hours worth of school work

Materials/books/laptop to complete said school work

A book to read in case their child completes assignments early. (Three hours of school must be done regardless.)

Kids are not allowed to do stunts, even if they want to. Even if their parents say it’s ok, it’s not ok.

Kids can’t be in a boat on the water without wearing a life jacket.

Kids can’t be in a moving car without wearing a seat belt.

Kids can’t be in a scene where explosives or firearms are being used.

Kids can’t legally work without a work permit, or without a parent or guardian within sight or sound of them.

Kids can’t work when they are ill.

Kids can’t do sexually suggestive scenes.

Kids can’t stay later than their “pumpkin” time to finish a scene, not even if their parents say it’s okay. Not even if they want to. Not even if it’s “just five more minutes.” There is no wiggle room, not even if the studio teacher wants to make the production happy. (Believe me, I do!) Not even if production offers her chocolate…Well, you get the idea. It’s not worth the huge fine to the production or the teacher losing her license over it.