The term “studio teacher” is often misleading. In California, a Studio Teacher is responsible, by law, for the health, safety and moral well-being of the child or children working on the film. The term “welfare worker” is sometimes used. A Studio Teacher in California is a credentialed secondary teacher who has been certified by the Labor Commissioner as a Studio Teacher.
You can’t just use someone who has a teaching credential – not in the State of California.
As a general rule, a certified Studio Teacher must be present whenever a minor is working.
In addition, the legal guardian or parent of the minor must be present the entire time the child is working – and within sight and sound of the child. Relatives, neighbors or babysitters are not legal substitutes – even if they have written permission from the parent or legal guardian.
A Studio Teacher has the absolute discretion to remove a minor from a production – without any repercussion – if the Teacher feels that the health, safety and/or moral well- being of the minor(s) may be compromised. Because of this responsibility for the health, safety and moral well-being, the Studio Teacher is required even when school is not in session including weekends.
If you are using an infant 15 days to six months of age you must also have a Nurse present on the set. You must also provide an “adequate facility” removed from the worksite where the baby can eat and/or sleep without being held. An infant of this age cannot be at the place of employment for more than 2 hours – or work for more than 20 minutes. (Remember, rehearsal time is work time.) An infant cannot be exposed to light of greater intensity than 100 foot-candles for more than 30 seconds at a time. The use of infants younger than fifteen days is not allowed.
FINDING A QUALIFIED STUDIO TEACHER
There are several options when looking to hire a qualified studio teacher.
Local 884is the IATSE group that represents, among other categories, studio teachers. They have many members that are willing to work on student films. Their studio teacher referral office is: 818-559-9600. You may also email the office at Businessrep884@gmail.com
Stella Pacifica is a service representing studio teachers, welfare workers, baby wranglers, acting coaches and interpreter. 818-464-5425
Ask your fellow classmates for a referral. They are always a good resource for crew recommendations.
Conrad Hurtt, studio teacher. Contact him by email or phone: (310) 930-5003.
Chase Nordman, studio teacher. Contact him by phone: (312)-522-2892.
NO MINORS UNDER 5 are allowed on set. ALL MINORS WORKING ON YOUR SET ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A MINOR WORK PERMIT.
A CERTIFIED Studio Teacher AND a Parent/Guardian must be present when a minor is on set.
WHO IS A MINOR?
A minor, by definition, is anyone under the age of eighteen. The use of children in motion pictures presents logistical and ethical challenges to the filmmaker.
WHY ALL THE RULES?
While there are no national standards regulating the use of children in the entertainment industry, a number of states have adopted rules that are very similar to California’s.
The California regulations apply to minors who work in California or who are taken out of state to work. They also apply to minors from out-of-state who work in California. If you are working in another state: Check local rules and regulations covering the use of minors. The local film commission can help with this. Any child wishing to work on your student film must possess a current entertainment work permit issued from the state. They must bring the permit to the set with them each day they work. Studio Teachers will want to see these permits before they allow a child to work in your film. It is the responsibility of the minor’s parents to obtain this permit. Be sure to ask whether the child has a permit when you are casting thefilm. Permits can be obtained at:
Department of Labor Standards Enforcement
Entertainment Work Permit Unit
6150 Van Nuys Blvd. Room 100
Van Nuys, CA 91401 (818) 901-5484
Because children working in films have been abused and mistreated– and because the parents of those children could not always be counted on to protect the best interests of the child, the State of California determined that an objective, third party must be present when a child is working. A person whose only concern was to safeguard the welfare of the minor; the Studio Teacher.
Please refer to the following documents to further review child labor laws for minors:
Young children have shorter attention spans than adults and they tire quickly.
The work hours of minors are strictly regulated and vigorously enforced. The total number of hours a child may work are determined by the age of that child (see the chart on the following page). Extension of these hours is not allowed.
Minors can only be employed for the hours permitted by law. Under no circumstances is a minor permitted to begin work before 5:00am nor to work past 12:30am on the weekends, and 10:00pm on the weekdays.
The presence of a minor on the set means you and your crew must conduct yourselves professionally and responsibly to insure the safety and well-being of those under your supervision, who are not able to care for themselves.
Minors 16 years of age and older only need Studio Teachers if schooling is required. (Schooling is not required on weekends and during the summer).
Work Hours of Minors
Ages
Time on set
Time atwork
School
Rest & recreation
Total time withmeals
15 days- 6 mo.
2 hours
20 minutes
——
1 hour 40 min
2.5 hours
6 mo.- 2 years
4 hours
2 hours
——-
2 hours
4.5 hours
2 years-5 years
6 hours
3 hours
——-
3 hours
6.5 hours
6 years- 8 years
8 hours
4 hours 6 hours
3 hours Vacation
1 hour 2 hours
8.5 hours
9 years- 15 years
9 hours
5 hours 7 hours
3 hours Vacation
1 hour 2 hours
9.5 hours
16 years 17 years
10 hours
6 hours 8 hours
3 hours Vacation
1 hour 2 hours
10.5 hours
The requirements established for the use of minors in motion picture and television production are California state law.
Failure to comply with these laws could result in Criminal and/or Civil penalties for not only the Producer and Director, but other participants in the production as well.
For a guide on working hours for minors in the entertainment industry, click here
MINORS PERFORMING PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
Prior to rehearsal or filming, the production should perform an initial review of the physical activity, including but not limited to:
the age, heigh, weight and maturity of the minor
the physical fitness, coordination, expertise in the planned activity, and film experience of the minor
the amount of additional information and movement the minor will be asked to consider (e.g., camera positions, acting, looking over shoulder, waving arms, etc.)
how wardrobe or props will affect the actions and/or vision of the minor, the amount of rehearsal and preparation time which has been provided,
the appropriate amount of protective gear or equipment necessary to safely perform the activity
the area around the minor during the activity, and any other factors affecting the minor.
Prior to rehearsal or filming the physical activity, the Director, First Assistant Director and Stunt Coordinator should confer with the minor, minor’s parent/legal guardian and Studio Teacher to review and discuss the activity.
Rehearsals and filming of the physical activity should take place with the Assistant Director, Stunt Coordinator, Studio Teacher, and parent/legal guardian present. If the situation warrants, a person qualified to administer medical assistance on an emergency basis must be present or readily available at the rehearsal and filming of the activity.
If any aspect of the activity changes, a new discussion and/or meeting should be held and a new rehearsal should be considered.
The production shall consider any reasonable request for additional equipment from the minor, parent/legal guardian, or Studio Teacher.
If a consensus regarding the physical activity is not established, the minor, the minor’s parent or guardian, the Studio Teacher, the Stunt Coordinator or the First Assistant Director may request a re-evaluation of the activity in its entirety. If, after the Studio Teacher, parent, Stunt Coordinator, First Assistant Director and/or the safety professional agree on the planned activity, but the minor expresses apprehension about performing the planned activity, they may refuse to do it.