Protecting Young Performers Is Everyone’s Job
A parent said something to me recently that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. We were talking about her experience bringing her child onto set over the years, and she made a simple observation: the best sets they worked on weren't necessarily the biggest or the best resourced. They were the ones where every crew member, not just the ones that were dealing directly with her kid, seemed to adjust their behavior to reflect the presence of her child.
This gets at a concept that the industry needs to implement better: the moment a production hires a child, every single person on that set becomes a childcare professional. That is not to say they are now a babysitter. But they are, directly or indirectly, responsible for protecting the wellbeing of that child.
And that includes the grip adjusting the lights for a scene featuring a seven-year-old just as much as it does the AD managing that child's hours.
The examples manifest in small, yet poignant ways. A second AD who quietly delays a child's call time until after a violent scene has been shot. A grip who steps sideways to physically block a young performer's sightline to a lewd prop sitting in the background of a neighboring set. A PA who spent a lunch break befriending a guest star because they noticed the child was struggling to find their social footing with the series regulars. These are the small job-specific adjustments that a crew can make to make a huge difference in a child's experience.
What the law recognizes in theory, and what the industry must implement in practice, is that children are not small adults. Their neurological development, emotional regulation, and capacity to process stress are fundamentally different from those of the grown professionals surrounding them. A long day that a seasoned actor shrugs off can be genuinely destabilizing for a ten-year-old. Difficult material that an adult compartmentalizes can leave a lasting impression on a child who doesn't yet have advanced mental health tools in their arsenal.
Its easy for crew members to get caught up in their jobs. We all know film sets are high pressure, unforgiving and often cut throat environments. And little child focused training is provided coming up through the ranks as a line producer, gaffer or camera assistant. So be mindful. Get to know the studio teacher or welfare worker on set. Because productions that grasp this don't just run safer sets, they create a better society and set up the next generation of above and below the line story-tellers for success.
The legal frameworks around minor performers exist for good reason, and knowing them is non-negotiable. But compliance is a floor, not a ceiling. The productions doing this well aren't just checking boxes. They’re offering training, they're building a culture where child welfare is understood as a shared responsibility, owned by everyone from the top of the call sheet to the bottom.
Matt McGee
Executive Director
The Minor Performer Alliance is a national nonprofit dedicated to the education, safety, health, and wellbeing of minors in the entertainment industry. Learn more at minorperformeralliance.org.
