ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 3 months ago - John Lubran

There is no actual Law per se prohibiting minors from acting with nothing other than the permission of the minor’s legal guardian and the same Common Law imperatives that apply to everyone. This notion of licensing from local authorities is a legal fiction being extrapolated from other legislation concerning unauthorised absence from school (another statute of shaky constitutional provenance) and the protection of minors with regard to exploitation (15 year olds may work for money or for nothing subject to otherwise reasonable legislation affecting under 16’s) and health and safety issues which contrary to myth are not even specifically laid out under statute. The important thing is that producers have taken all reasonable steps to ensure safety, otherwise the producer is personally liable. The BBC is a cap doffing organisation whose staff have been indoctrinated with the almost wholly unlawful assertions in the matter by presumptuous administrative bureaucracy. It’s an endemic condition that has managed to assert itself widely as having supremacy over Law to the extent that the myth has been accepted and is often enforced unlawfully.

Having said all that challenging their presumption requires a lot of balls and learnedly focused energy, so you may find that your life is best blessed by going along with as much of their presumption as you can bear. You’ll just hold your nose while you tick their boxes. It’s always good however to know the actual truth just in case it needs to be asserted.

10 years, 3 months ago - Tamsin Goodwin-Connelly

This is a helpful document regarding amateur theatre: https://www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Schools/Pupil-Parent-Support/Documents/voluntary%20amateur%20theatrical%20organisations.pdf
Section 4 discusses the four day rule, conditions making you exempt from obtaining a chaperon license. The document also gives you information regarding allowable working hours etc. The rules for children 16-17 yr olds are different and far more relaxed but I do not have the specifics.

10 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Please note, Tamsins link above is for Essex, it may vary by region. Ask your own council if you're not in Essex :)

10 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Best is to have a parent, often they're free, proud, and can also transport the actor. If you can't get a parent, you will need someone that you DBS check (money, time) who is also responsible. You should also acquaint yourself with your council's requirements, there will be maximum working hours, stipulations about tutors if in schooltime, etc., and you'll need to comply. The working hours one is a big deal, most likely you'll have to shoot all the kids angles first, then do the adult reverses in the afternoon with the minor off set.

Or find a young-looking 18-year-old and all the extra costs and problems go away. That's a serious suggestion, by the way.

10 years, 3 months ago - John Lubran

An interesting point Paddy. I think it underlines the fact these regional 'by-laws' are not in fact Law. Actual Law does not vary from one region of England and Wales to another, nor can it ever. Scotland has its own though broadly similar Law.

10 years, 3 months ago - Leoni Kibbey

The chaperone has to be a parent/legal guardian or licensed chaperone. If you are paying the actor and/or filming during school hours you need to license the child. You still need to license a 16 year old if they haven't finished their GCSE year yet too. If you are filming during the weekend/school hols and not paying the actor you don't need a license however I would reccomend up to the age of 18 that you have a parent or legal guardian on set. I run the adults division (ie: age 16+) of www.tta.co.uk and most production companies will hire a young looking over licensing age actor to play younger. Hope that helps. Let me know if we can help in any way.