The On Location Education Blog
Family Support System Crucial for Child Actors
Where are they now? "Wonder Years" stars find success as adults.
The new sitcom The Grinder marks the return of Fred Savage to the small screen. And while Fred is the best known child actor from the Wonder Years, all of our young friends from the late-80s dramedy went on to success in other acting ventures, on the other side of the camera, or away from show business altogether
STAGE PARENTS SHOULD BE WAITING IN THE WINGS
Good parents naturally want what’s best for their kids, but the road to success for young performers can be long, winding, and fraught with extraordinary challenges, making it difficult for their parents to help guide the way. Use these strategies to avoid three common pitfalls:
The journey is about them.
QUIET ON THE SET CAN WAIT; SAFETY FIRST!
From offices to oil fields, workers everywhere have the right to expect conditions to be as safe as possible for their given workspaces; for child actors, expectations are even higher. Set life may sound glamorous, but despite the best efforts of production companies and entertainment industry professionals, unscrupulous and unsavory people sometimes manage to get past established safety checks and endanger young performers (not to mention the entire cast and crew). Early summer of 2015 saw a spate of incidents with studio teacher impostors, putting performers, production companies, and parents on high alert. The obvious question is: How does this happen?
GETTING STARTED AS A STUDIO TEACHER IN CALIFORNIA
If you’re a teacher in California looking for a change, a career as a studio teacher is an interesting and worthwhile option to consider. Studio teachers serve minors in the entertainment industry who are unable to attend "regular" school because of their often irregular work schedules.
Educational Requirements for Young Actors in New York
In our last post, we discussed the legal requirements for young performers in New York—work permits, financial protections, and health clearances—but even after you’ve crossed the last “T” and dotted the last “I,” your child actor is not off the hook. Though they might think they’re ready to take on the world, the State of New York first requires them to get an education. The world will still be waiting for them after they finish their schooling.
Rules of the Road for Young Performers in New York (Part 1)
If your child actor is in a New York state of mind, understand that there are laws in place that govern minors working in the entertainment industry. Before your young performer takes a bite of the Big Apple, let’s brush up on some of the unique laws designed to protect them in the state that’s home to the entertainment capital of the East Coast. It starts in somewhat unglamorous fashion with paperwork.
ACTORS WHO ARE STAR STUDENTS SHINE BRIGHTER
Roman philosopher Seneca is credited with saying “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” While this holds true in many walks of life, it is perhaps most important when applied to careers in the performing arts. And for young performers, preparation involves more than running lines and rehearsing songs; it also means taking education seriously.
The Importance of Academics for Child Actors
Honing your talents, taking the perfect headshot, and acing auditions are all critical factors in determining whether or not you get the part; but did you know that your schoolwork could be just as important?
Protecting Young Performers in California
Did you know that a number of states do not have adequate laws in place to protect young performers? This comes as a surprise to many parents, especially those whose children are just entering the business. States without such protections are forced to rely on SAG-AFTRA to dictate working conditions for young performers.