How to Help Your Minor Be Successful on Set
Central Casting books babies from 15 days old to teenagers 17 years old to work in movies, TV shows, and many other productions as Background Actors and doubles. From putting their looks together to helping them act professionally, there's a lot to know about working with minors on set.
Know your child's booking details
When your minor is booked, the Casting Director will send their booking information as a details message, which may include a link to a Details Blog or other resource. This message will have all the information you need to get your minor ready for set, including their call time, call location, wardrobe instructions, category type, etc.
Please respond to this message as soon as you receive it. Keep in mind that Casting Directors receive booking information from multiple departments within production; it's likely you will not receive your child's details until later in the evening before their workday.
It's extremely important to show up to set on time. Your child's details will include an initial call time, but call times can, and often will, change. Call time changes will be sent as a text message, email, and appear in the inbox of your online profile. Be sure to check for any changes before arriving to set.
Understand guardian requirements
Minors must be accompanied to set by a parent or guardian who is not also working on the production. Some productions may require a guardian who is at least 21 years old; check with the Casting Director who booked your minor to see if your production has a guardian age requirement.
During filming, the guardian will be somewhere behind the scenes, but always within eyesight of the child and will accompany them around set throughout their workday.
Know what to bring
When your minor is not filming, you both will be in Holding. You can bring entertainment for your child while in Holding, but please use headphones if playing audio and be respectful not to disturb production and those around you.
If your child is required to attend school on set, they will work with a studio teacher separate from the parent/guardian and be provided documentation to show their school. Depending on your call time and whether school is in session, your minor may attend their own school first, then will report to set only for work. You may need to bring homework, your minor's work permit, or other materials listed in your details with you to set.
Help them be professional
We know working on movies and TV shows is exciting, but please help your child understand that while being on set is fun, it's also a work environment. There are strict laws governing how long children can work and production is trying to get their scenes filmed while managing the limitations on their minor Background Actors and any principal minors in the scene. Please help your child remain focused and professional during their workday.
Working as a minor on set is different than working background as an adult. Check out our articles What Parents Should Know About Kids Casting and Ensure Your Minor is Eligible to Be Booked by Central Casting to stay updated with everything you need to know about finding your child background work with Central Casting.
