SAG Agreement: Revisiting Minor Entertainment Labor Law

The new SAG Agreement has been ratified, and while much of the information regarding hiring minors has remained the same, a few key points continue to generate questions and mistakes among filmmakers and reps. Here's what you need to know.

The Welfare Worker

I can't count the number of times I've been asked: "We're shooting on the weekend, so we don't need a teacher, right?" Wrong. Well, sort of. Under the SAG Agreement, any child under 16 must be accompanied by a welfare worker hired by the employer, regardless of whether the child needs schooling on set. The good news is that teachers can also be certified welfare workers, so when a child does need schooling, your teacher covers both roles. If you need help with hiring a welfare worker, MPA maintains a highly qualified roster of welfare workers and studio teachers.

The One Hour Rule

Shooting with a minor for less than one hour on a weekend or after school has been dismissed? You don't need a teacher or welfare worker. SAG allows for up to one hour of employment provided it doesn't interfere with the minor's schooling. This is particularly useful for fittings and ADR sessions.

Education Is Work

Time spent in the classroom on set counts as work under the SAG Agreement and should be compensated accordingly. On days when a child is both working and schooling, this usually doesn't change the rate. But on days when a child is brought in solely to school, they should be paid, either at an hourly rate or a day rate.

The Classroom

The on-set classroom is off limits to everyone except the child and the studio teacher. That means no producers, directors, series regulars, crew members, or parents. It exists as a protected space for children to decompress, learn, and simply be kids. That said, when a parent requests visibility into the classroom, production is expected to make a reasonable accommodation. MPA strongly recommends making the classroom visible to parents as a standard practice. It protects the child, the teacher, and the production.

Auditions

The SAG Agreement notes that audition schedules should take into account the sleep schedule of a minor. Children are not small adults. They have different routines, different energy cycles, and different needs. While it isn't always possible to accommodate every scheduling constraint, producers should make every reasonable effort to respect that most children have early school mornings. Where possible, schedule auditions after 3pm. It reduces school absences and signals to families that your production takes their child's life outside the industry seriously.

We're Here to Help

Navigating minor performer labor law is one of the more nuanced areas of production, and honest mistakes are common. Minor Performer Alliance is a trusted resource for industry professionals navigating exactly these questions. Whether you need a qualified studio teacher or welfare worker, help understanding work permit requirements, or guidance on state-specific labor law, MPA is here to support your production at every stage.

Reach out at minorperformeralliance.org.

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.

Sincerely,

Executive Director

Matt McGee