Studio Requirements
What are the qualifications?
If you are reading this section, you are no doubt seeking more information about the requirements for being a teacher for children in entertainment. Perhaps you are a school teacher who is seeking a change, or maybe you are a producer wondering if you can hire your sister-in-law for an upcoming job. Either way, the first thing you need to do is answer these questions:
Who… is the child? How old are they? Where are they from? Have they ever worked before?
What… will they be doing? What exactly does their role entail?
Where… will it happen? What state will you be filming in?
When… will it happen? Is school in session or out?
Why… is it important for you to know the answers to all these questions?
In the film industry, teachers do more than just teach. Teachers on set have been delegated the task of child advocacy. In some states it’s required by law, sometimes it’s required by a union agreement and other times, it’s just assumed that the teacher will coordinate any and all matters relating to the welfare and comfort of the child. To do this effectively, you need to first familiarize yourself with the labor law in both the state you wish to work, as well as the minor’s state of residence. Since many productions emanate from California, you might also want to make sure you understand California Law and the term Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker.
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In California, a Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker is a dual-credentialed teacher holding both elementary and secondary teaching credentials, who has also passed an exam on California Child Labor Law and has completed a 12-hour Studio Teacher training course.
Click here to read California’s legal definition of a certified Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker
The Studio Teacher’s job is to make sure that production follows the law and to report violations back to the State of California, when necessary. In addition to teaching, these special teachers have the responsibility of caring and attending to the health, safety and morals of the working minor, and they have the authority to pull a minor off a job if the rules are not being followed. This sounds a lot easier than it is.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a California Certified Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker, here is the application form:
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Ask the teacher to provide a copy of their Studio Teaching Certificate or click on the following link to search the database of licensed California Studio Teachers.
To find out if a teacher holds a license for Studio Teaching in the State of California, click here.
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Simply click on the “Rules & Laws” tab from our site’s navigation menu!
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In California, when school is in session children are required to bring three hours of educational material from their regular home school and producers are required to provide a place and time for them to work on it. The job of the teacher is to tutor the child using the books and assignments from their regular school. Studio Teachers do not prepare curriculum for kids.
Be aware that some kids are called for work at the last minute, after school has already closed for the day and three hours can be a lot of time to fill. Professional Studio Teachers are prepared with a wide variety of academic supplements, just in case a child shows up to work empty handed.