Production
Working with Child Actors
Casting a child changes your whole production — legally, logistically, and creatively. This course covers everything a filmmaker needs: Coogan Law and work permits, hours and set teachers, on-set welfare and safety, how to actually direct a kid, and how to handle the parent standing behind them.
What you'll learn
✓Coogan Law, trust accounts, and how a child performer's earnings are legally protected
✓Work permits, the strict hours minors can work, and the child labor laws that govern your set
✓Set teachers, guardians, welfare and safety — the people and rules that keep a minor protected
✓How to direct a child, get a real performance, handle emotional scenes, and manage stage parents
Pairs with this tool
Filmmaker Toolbox
Keep your child-actor compliance in the Filmmaker Toolbox — permits, hours, set-teacher and guardian contacts, and a per-day checklist — so a minor on your set is always legal and protected.
Open Filmmaker Toolbox →Course chapters
Module 1 — Foundations
I8 min
Why casting a minor changes your whole production
Working with Child Actors: What's Different
II9 min
The trust-account law that protects a child's earnings
Coogan Law & Protecting Earnings
III8 min
The child labor laws that govern a minor on your set
Child Labor Laws on Set
IV8 min
Permits, and the strict hours a minor can legally work
Work Permits & Hours
Module 2 — Core Craft
V8 min
The studio teacher who schools and guards a minor on set
The Set Teacher & On-Set Tutor
VI8 min
Guardians, chaperones, and protecting a child's wellbeing
Guardians, Chaperones & Welfare
VII8 min
Keeping a minor physically safe in a working set environment
Safety for Minors on Set
VIII9 min
How directing a kid differs from directing an adult
Directing Child Actors
Module 3 — Putting It to Work
IX8 min
Coaching a natural, truthful performance out of a child
Getting a Performance from a Child
X8 min
Handling tears, fear, and difficult material safely
Emotional Scenes & Difficult Material
XI8 min
Turning the parent behind the child into an ally
Working with Stage Parents
XII7 min
Casting kids and bringing it all together on your shoot
Casting & Your First Child-Actor Shoot