STUDIO TEACHING - FAQ
WHAT IS A STUDIO TEACHER?
A studio teacher is a dual credentialed teacher (single and multiple subjects) who has received training and passed an examination on Child Labor Laws specific to the entertainment industry in the state of California. Certificated studio teachers hold a “green card” from the state of California allowing them to work with minors on set.
WHAT DOES A STUDIO TEACHER DO?
Studio teachers, in addition to teaching school-age children, are responsible for attending to the health, safety, and morals of minors on set.
HAVE STUDIO TEACHERS BEEN FINGERPRINTED?
Yes. It is a requirement for CA Credentialing.
HOW MANY HOURS ARE MINORS ALLOWED TO WORK?
Hours of employment vary by age. This chart from The Studio Teachers breaks it down nicely:
http://www.thestudioteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/working-hours-chart.jpg
DOES MY PRODUCTION NEED TO HIRE A STUDIO TEACHER?
By law, a studio teacher MUST be present when minors ages 15 days – 18 years are employed in the entertainment industry with only a very few exceptions (please also see “exceptions/exclusions” question regarding permits). However, minors age 16-17 who require schooling need a studio teacher only for the purposes of school and only on days when school is in session. On non-school days, they may work without a studio teacher so long as they have a permit to do so. (Please see link above for details on hours of employment.)
“Employers shall provide a studio teacher on each call for minors from age 15 days to their sixteenth birthday, and for minors from age 16 to 18 years when required for the education of the minor. One studio teacher must be provided for each group of 10 minors or fraction thereof. With respect to minors age 15 days to 16 years, one studio teacher must be provided for each group of 20 minors or fraction thereof on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or during school vacation periods. (Child Labor Pamphlet.http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52)”
WHAT IS THE RATE FOR HIRING A STUDIO TEACHER?
Rates are determined between production and individual teachers, however, standard rates are established and held by studio teachers within each given region of employment.
WHAT ABOUT NON-UNION AND/OR UNREPRESENTED MINORS?
The same laws apply regardless of the child’s union status and/or agency representation.
HOW DOES THE STATE DEFINE “ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?”
The entertainment industry is defined in state regulations as ". . . any organization, or individual, using the services of any minor in: motion pictures of any type (film, videotape, etc.), using any format (theatrical, film, commercial documentary, television program, etc.), by any medium (theater, television, videocassette, etc.); photography; recording; modeling; theatrical productions; publicity; rodeos; circuses; musical performances; and any other performances where minors perform to entertain the public." [8 CCR 11751] (Child Labor Pamphlet.http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52)
WHO NEEDS A WORK PERMIT?
“Minors aged 15 days to 18 years employed in the entertainment industry must have a permit to work, and employers must have a permit to employ, both permits being issued by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. These permits are also required for minors making phonographic recordings or who are employed as advertising or photographic models. Permits are required even when the entertainment is noncommercial in nature.” (State of California – Industrial Relations)
HOW DOES A PARENT/GUARDIAN OBTAIN AN ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT?
Obtaining a permit is free and easy. Just be sure to allow time (ideally two weeks-one month) for processing. To print an application, visit: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/dlseform277.pdf
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS/EXCLUSIONS THAT ALLOW MINORS TO APPEAR WITHOUT A PERMIT?
Rarely. http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52)
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS ON SET?
Parents/guardians have the responsibility to:
-Obtain work permits for non-emancipated minors.
-Make production aware of school requirements for the minor (school calendar, educational needs etc.)
-Remain in sight and/or sound of minor at all times.
-Accompany minor to special 1 hour period calls (ex. wardrobe, publicity, make-up, etc.)
-Refrain from bringing “other minors NOT engaged by Producer to place of employment without Producer’s specific permission"
(Studio Teachers, 2009).
Want to maximize your child's success on set? Read my blog entry, CASTINGS, CHECK AVAILS, HOLDS, AND BOOKINGS: MAKING THE PROCESS POSITIVE FOR KIDS
WHAT IF A STUDIO TEACHER IS NOT PROVIDED ON SET FOR MINOR TALENT?
"Ask the production where the studio teacher is and let them know you will wait until they secure a Studio Teacher before starting work at all. This will legally protect both you, your child, and the production." (http://www.thestudioteachers.com/home/faqs/)
Productions can be fined $500-$10,000 for each violation in addition to potentially receiving jail time.
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION NOT ADDRESSED ON THIS PAGE?
Please visit the links for the references below.
REFERENCES
CA Child Labor Laws. Retrieved March 10, 2013, fromwww.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/dlse.html
Child Labor Pamphlet. Retrieved March 10, 2013, fromhttp://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52
State of CA – Industrial Relations. Retrieved March 10, 2013, fromhttp://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DLSE-CL.htm
Studio Teachers, The. “Working Hours Chart.” Retrieved March 10, 2013, from www.thestudioteachers.com
Studio Teachers, The. "FAQs" http://www.thestudioteachers.com/home/faqs/
Studio Teachers, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 884 (2009). The Blue Book: Employment of Minors in the Entertainment Industry. Copyright International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 884.
A studio teacher is a dual credentialed teacher (single and multiple subjects) who has received training and passed an examination on Child Labor Laws specific to the entertainment industry in the state of California. Certificated studio teachers hold a “green card” from the state of California allowing them to work with minors on set.
WHAT DOES A STUDIO TEACHER DO?
Studio teachers, in addition to teaching school-age children, are responsible for attending to the health, safety, and morals of minors on set.
HAVE STUDIO TEACHERS BEEN FINGERPRINTED?
Yes. It is a requirement for CA Credentialing.
HOW MANY HOURS ARE MINORS ALLOWED TO WORK?
Hours of employment vary by age. This chart from The Studio Teachers breaks it down nicely:
http://www.thestudioteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/working-hours-chart.jpg
DOES MY PRODUCTION NEED TO HIRE A STUDIO TEACHER?
By law, a studio teacher MUST be present when minors ages 15 days – 18 years are employed in the entertainment industry with only a very few exceptions (please also see “exceptions/exclusions” question regarding permits). However, minors age 16-17 who require schooling need a studio teacher only for the purposes of school and only on days when school is in session. On non-school days, they may work without a studio teacher so long as they have a permit to do so. (Please see link above for details on hours of employment.)
“Employers shall provide a studio teacher on each call for minors from age 15 days to their sixteenth birthday, and for minors from age 16 to 18 years when required for the education of the minor. One studio teacher must be provided for each group of 10 minors or fraction thereof. With respect to minors age 15 days to 16 years, one studio teacher must be provided for each group of 20 minors or fraction thereof on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or during school vacation periods. (Child Labor Pamphlet.http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52)”
WHAT IS THE RATE FOR HIRING A STUDIO TEACHER?
Rates are determined between production and individual teachers, however, standard rates are established and held by studio teachers within each given region of employment.
WHAT ABOUT NON-UNION AND/OR UNREPRESENTED MINORS?
The same laws apply regardless of the child’s union status and/or agency representation.
HOW DOES THE STATE DEFINE “ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?”
The entertainment industry is defined in state regulations as ". . . any organization, or individual, using the services of any minor in: motion pictures of any type (film, videotape, etc.), using any format (theatrical, film, commercial documentary, television program, etc.), by any medium (theater, television, videocassette, etc.); photography; recording; modeling; theatrical productions; publicity; rodeos; circuses; musical performances; and any other performances where minors perform to entertain the public." [8 CCR 11751] (Child Labor Pamphlet.http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52)
WHO NEEDS A WORK PERMIT?
“Minors aged 15 days to 18 years employed in the entertainment industry must have a permit to work, and employers must have a permit to employ, both permits being issued by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. These permits are also required for minors making phonographic recordings or who are employed as advertising or photographic models. Permits are required even when the entertainment is noncommercial in nature.” (State of California – Industrial Relations)
HOW DOES A PARENT/GUARDIAN OBTAIN AN ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT?
Obtaining a permit is free and easy. Just be sure to allow time (ideally two weeks-one month) for processing. To print an application, visit: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/dlseform277.pdf
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS/EXCLUSIONS THAT ALLOW MINORS TO APPEAR WITHOUT A PERMIT?
Rarely. http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52)
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS ON SET?
Parents/guardians have the responsibility to:
-Obtain work permits for non-emancipated minors.
-Make production aware of school requirements for the minor (school calendar, educational needs etc.)
-Remain in sight and/or sound of minor at all times.
-Accompany minor to special 1 hour period calls (ex. wardrobe, publicity, make-up, etc.)
-Refrain from bringing “other minors NOT engaged by Producer to place of employment without Producer’s specific permission"
(Studio Teachers, 2009).
Want to maximize your child's success on set? Read my blog entry, CASTINGS, CHECK AVAILS, HOLDS, AND BOOKINGS: MAKING THE PROCESS POSITIVE FOR KIDS
WHAT IF A STUDIO TEACHER IS NOT PROVIDED ON SET FOR MINOR TALENT?
"Ask the production where the studio teacher is and let them know you will wait until they secure a Studio Teacher before starting work at all. This will legally protect both you, your child, and the production." (http://www.thestudioteachers.com/home/faqs/)
Productions can be fined $500-$10,000 for each violation in addition to potentially receiving jail time.
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION NOT ADDRESSED ON THIS PAGE?
Please visit the links for the references below.
REFERENCES
CA Child Labor Laws. Retrieved March 10, 2013, fromwww.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/dlse.html
Child Labor Pamphlet. Retrieved March 10, 2013, fromhttp://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ChildLaborPamphlet2000.html#52
State of CA – Industrial Relations. Retrieved March 10, 2013, fromhttp://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DLSE-CL.htm
Studio Teachers, The. “Working Hours Chart.” Retrieved March 10, 2013, from www.thestudioteachers.com
Studio Teachers, The. "FAQs" http://www.thestudioteachers.com/home/faqs/
Studio Teachers, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 884 (2009). The Blue Book: Employment of Minors in the Entertainment Industry. Copyright International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 884.