How Kids Balance School and Acting When Filming Shows or Movies

Balancing school and acting is a challenge many young performers face. Whether a child actor is on a major Hollywood production or a local school project, here are some effective strategies that help them continue their education alongside their acting duties.

On-Set Schooling

One of the most common methods used by productions is on-set schooling. This approach involves hiring tutors or teachers who conduct lessons during breaks or downtime. It ensures that child actors receive their education while on set, without disrupting the filming schedule.

Flexible Scheduling

Another key factor is flexible scheduling. Filming hours can be adjusted to align with school hours as much as possible. This reduces the overlap between shooting and school, allowing kids to attend classes when feasible. Adjustments in the shooting schedule help create a more harmonious workflow.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is another viable option. Parents or hired tutors provide a flexible learning environment. This customizes the learning experience to meet the individual needs of the child. Homeschooling can accommodate a child's irregular and sometimes unpredictable filming schedule.

Regulations and Laws

There are legal requirements to ensure that child actors are not overworked and have access to education. In the U.S., the Coogan Law mandates that a portion of a child actor's earnings be set aside for their education. These laws help protect the child's education rights and provide a safety net.

Online Learning

Online learning is growing in popularity, especially with the rise of digital educational platforms. These platforms offer customizable and flexible learning experiences. Some child actors use online courses to continue their studies while filming, allowing them to learn at their own pace.

The Support System

Ensuring that a child’s education is not neglected requires a well-coordinated support system. Parents, tutors, and production staff work together to manage the dual commitments of acting and school. This support helps balance the demands of filming with academic responsibilities.

The experience of child actors can vary widely. Some productions, like the one the author mentions, hired teachers to conduct studio lessons between filming sessions. The author and their peers found the lessons frustrating and difficult to juggle with their character roles. They also received homework during non-school hours, adding to the workload.

Good practices in on-set schooling, flexible scheduling, and support systems can greatly improve the experience for child actors, making their dual commitment more manageable.

Supporting Data and Sources

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act, child labor laws include provisions for education of child actors. The Coogan Law, named after a young boy who died in poverty, ensures that a portion of the child actor's earnings is set aside for future use or education. These laws, combined with best practices in on-set schooling and homeschooling, provide a framework for supporting child actors in their dual commitments.