If you are doing stunts with youth actors, are working with a youth in a lead role, are working with a youth from another country, or are working with a minor who is new to acting, you should consider having a certified teacher on set to look after the youth’s welfare.
For California Studio Teachers, youth welfare is a mandated part of their job, requiring them to be on set, even when set school is not required. With set teachers from elsewhere, including British Columbia, looking after youth welfare is just something a teacher does. It does help, however, when production formally requests this as a part of the teacher’s job, and we at Ahimsa Kids do not charge anything extra to look out for a minor’s welfare. We also greatly appreciate it when productions hire us to look after the welfare needs and comfort of young actors, even when school is not required.
When hired just for youth welfare, we come prepared with activities to entertain the youth, if they so desire, while giving them space if that is their preference. We make sure that the youth and their guardian know we are there to look after their safety and comfort, while being unobtrusive and paying attention to the environment and any pressing concerms.
