Studio Teachers

In California, studio set teachers do a lot more than just help educate your children. They have an important role in also being the welfare worker on set to protect your child from any harsh conditions or treatment. However just because someone is there to help oversee the welfare of your child while on set, this does NOT mean you get to sit back and read a book until the shoot is over. As a parent, you also should be well versed in the law. Not only for your own peace of mind and the safety of your child, but everyone is human and as humans mistakes are made. The studio set teacher can't be everywhere at once nor can they catch everything. So it helps to work as a team. If you see anything in questions, talk to the studio set teacher. I've met many parents who never took the time to thoroughly read and understand many of the child labors laws that are put into place to protect our child actors. Parents often feel intimidated to say anything, don't know or understand the law. Many times production companies genuinely don't know they are violating any laws, especially the ones that don't work with children on a frequent basis. However this does NOT excuse the violation. 

Anyone who works with children should take the time to read the child labor laws handbook, especially parents. Studio set teachers are not just there to educate your children, they are also there for the safety and welfare of your children as well.

 

Did you know? In the entertainment industry, a Studio Set Teacher is REQUIRED and must be present from the moment your child steps on set until they leave.   No one has the right to waive the studio teacher requirement.  It does not matter if it's a Non-Union or SAG production, photoshoot, PSA etc. 

1. A teacher is required for minors ages 16 - 17 when required for the education of the minor.  If your child is on set for 5 minutes or 5 hours, a set teacher is needed. 
2. From a one day production to a one year production.  This rule applies to ANY and EVERY production which includes professional or student productions.   
3. ANY production that chooses to not provide your child a studio set teacher is in violation of the child labor law and should be reported to the DLSE office at 818-901-5484 immediately.    
4. If you are allowing your infant child to work on set, any infant ages 15 days to 6 months of age MUST have a nurse present on set as well. 
5. There must also be an adequate facility removed from the work site where the baby can eat and or sleep without being held. 
6. Your infant cannot also not be at the work site for more than 2 hours or work more than 20 minutes, this includes rehearsal. 
7. They cannot be exposed to light greater intensity than 100 foot candles for more than 30 seconds at a time. Infants younger than 15 days old is not allowed.   
8.  In California, a studio set teacher is responsible for providing the education for all minors who are subject to California's compulsory education laws in addition to caring and attending to the health, safety and morals of minors under the age of 16. 
9. In doing so, the studio teacher shall consider the minors working conditions, physical fatigue, age, agility, strength and stamina.  
10.  A studio teacher can refuse to allow a minor to work on a set or location which, in the teacher's opinion jeopardizes the health, safety or morals of the minor. 
11. A decision of a studio teacher may be appealed to the Labor Commissioner who may confirm or countermand such decision.  
12.  No minor under the age of sixteen (16) may be sent to wardrobe, makeup, hairdressing, or employed in any manner whatsoever unless under the general supervision of the studio teacher. (8CCR 11762) See: One Hour Situations One Hour Rule

More information on what a Studio Teacher is: http://www.studioteachers.com/Studio_Teachers.html

Sanctions for violation of the regulations [Section 11758]

Where an employer violates the Regulations, the Labor Commissioner's representative has discretion to deny, suspend or revoke that employer's permit to employ minors. The same sanctions exist against an employer who discriminates against a studio teacher. An employer whose permit has been deemed suspended or revoked has direct appeal right to the Labor Commissioner and a right to a hearing. 

Use of Studio Teachers [Section 11755.2; 11760]

Employers shall provide a studio teacher on call for minors from age 15 days to their 16th birthday and for minors aged 16 and 17 when required for the education of the minor. One (1) teacher must be provided for each group of 10 or fewer minors when school is in session. When school is not in session  one (1) teacher may be provided for every group of 1 to 20 minors. With respect to infants from 15 days to 6 weeks of age, a nurse and a studio teacher must be provided for each 3 or fewer babies. For infants from 6 weeks to 6 months, one nurse and one studio teacher must be provided for each group of 10 or fewer babies.

Read about the Penalties: http://www.thestudioteachers.com/Penalties.html

Read some FAQ listed on BizParentz website in regards to California on-set schooling http://www.bizparentz.org/onsetschoolingca.html

Question: (As stated on BizParentz) It’s just a (student film/independent film/theatre project/print job) so we don’t need a studio teacher.

Answer: Wrong. The entertainment industry is specifically defined in the law as “any type of motion picture for any medium”, modeling, theatrical productions, etc. Unless it is a not-for profit theatre performance for public schools...you need a teacher. Basically, if you are getting paid—ever in the future—you need a teacher. Teachers and work hours are not just SAG rules in California, they are LAWS applied to all work.

Question: What should you do if your child show up on set and there is NOT a Studio Teacher?

Answer: Go and speak to the A.D (assistant director) and inquire the whereabouts of your child's studio teacher. Most studio teachers are on-call and can make it to set within the hour. Parents/guardians can and should remove their children from the entire production and go home if a studio teacher is not provided.  Additionally, fines range from $500-$10,000 for each violation and can include jail time.

Question: Who can you call if the Studio Teacher is not doing his/her job of educating and protecting a minor on set?

Answer: Parents often don’t want to raise a concern about the teacher to production, for fear of how it could impact their child’s job or long-term career. You are your child’s advocate and if you have any concerns about the safety or education of your child, you should voice your concern to someone on the production staff. If you feel that there has been a violation of any of the child labor laws, then you should call the Labor Commissioner and file a formal complaint. If you are concerned about being identified to production or the Studio Teacher, you can file your complaint anonymously. A violation of child labor laws is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $2,500 – $5,000 and/or up to 60 days of jail time. 

To check a studio teachers credentials: http://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/dlselr/studtch.html

Presence of parent or guardian [Section 11757]

a parent or guardian shall be within sight or sound at all times of all minors under the age of 16 years.