Actor W. C. Fields has a famous saying, “Never work with animals or children.” This is still a widely used saying in Hollywood. Why? Well, because the truth is animals and children can be difficult to work with. Film (Video) sets can be an unfriendly place for children especially, and the long hours don’t help. However, we’ve produced several project with children and we believe that if the right way of handling and directing children is adhered to, making videos with children can be a great experience for everyone.
Things to Keep in Mind when Filming with Children
1- Protect the Children
The most important thing is to protect the child emotionally and physically.Due consideration must be given to the routine of the child and if the shoot can’t be scheduled outside of school hours, it’s important to consider the presence of a set teacher to make sure the child does not fall behind in school and is kept occupied on set. Do not allow a child to be on set for any longer than necessary, and adhere to all state and federal laws on underage workers.
2 – Treat them with respect
Respect here means that you entertain the idea that the child is not ignorant to the process and that he/she is capable of understanding – at least to a certain degree – the work that they are doing. Instead of merely ordering them to do this or that, try engaging them in work by treating them as individuals (and actors!) and explaining to them in a reasonable and easy way what it is that they have to do.You can also exclude certain details, where you want the child to use their imagination or improv, adding to the quality of the video.
3 – Relate to their psyche
This is one of the most important aspects of directing. It is important for you to be able to see the world through the eyes of the children. This will facilitate you in making things clear to them. A good director should have some insight into the minds of the people they are working with; it simply makes the job easier.
4 – Entertainment and food
Make sure the children have a place to be that is not so close to set that every little noise they make can be heard. In that area, have some entertainmentfor them. Most likely, they will bring their own (often, video games), but you could other quiet activities. Also, make sure you have a kid-friendly craft table. Kids will eat more than you can imagine on set, so have a variety of healthy and delicious treats. Meals should also be kid appropriate.
5 – Keep them updated and involved
It’s very easy for kids to get bored, and most children will let their emotions show.If the children on your set are dissatisfied, then it is going to show in your video. Try to be excited and advise your crew to do the same. This will reflect on the effort that the children put in as well.Also, keep the child updated on the shoot schedule; let them know when they should expect to be on set, to eat, to go to hair and makeup, etc. Remember to involve them in the process too, as you would any other actor. Ask if they have questions about the process, the scene, or their character, and if they have any ideas they want to share.
At 336 Productions we have extensive experience in making videos with children. As an example, our Canon video featured almost a dozen 8-10 year olds (see above video). Our areas of expertise include educational videos, brand videos, marketing videos, training videos, B2B videos, and event videos in Orange County. You can contact us today, at (888) 440-5830.
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