Child Supporting Artists
Learn everything you need to know if you are interested in your child becoming a Supporting Artist.
Our supporting artists have worked on:
What is a child supporting artist?
A Child Supporting Artist (SA) is a person aged 0-16 who works as a background actor in TV and film. Their role is vital in bringing the world of the story to life, helping to build the environment and atmosphere ona film or TV set. Whether playing siblings, friends, classmates, or other characters, our Child SAs help enrich the plot and support the character arcs of the main cast. It’s a really fun way to gain experience on a professional film set and earn some pocket money.Â
What is expected from a child supporting artist?
At our agency we take pride in the fantastic reputation we’ve built over the past 10+ years. When productions reach out to us, they know they’re booking talented, enthusiastic, and reliable children. This is the standard we strive to uphold every time! To help your child represent themselves in the best possible way on set, here are some top tips to keep in mind.
On set every child is legally required to have a professional chaperone with them at all times - Articulate Agency will book the chaperones on most productions. Chaperones are there to keep your child safe but also to make sure they’re having fun. It’s very important for your child to listen to their chaperone and stay within their sight throughout the day.
One of the most exciting parts of the day is getting into costume, but it’s important to treat the clothes with lots of care as some of them are originals from many years ago. Please remind your child to avoid any stains, marks, or rough handling - it is best to drink water, not coloured drinks and wear a plastic bib at lunch! The same goes for props. Props help bring the scene to life, and they need to be handled gently. Damaging a prop can have consequences, so it’s essential to stay mindful.Â
Set life can get busy, and sometimes even chaotic! That’s why it's super important for your child to listen carefully to the instructions they’re given. Whether it’s from the director or the 3rd Assistant Director, these directions are key to making sure the scene runs smoothly. It might seem like a small instruction, but every detail is carefully planned, and your child’s role is an important part of the bigger picture!
Timing is crucial on set! Call times will be provided the evening before, and it’s important that your child arrives on time - aim for 10 minutes early just to be safe. Traffic happens, so plan ahead and leave plenty of time to avoid any delays. Being punctual helps everything run smoothly, and we want to make sure your child is set up for success!
We’re here to keep you in the loop! If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s experience on set, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s about timing, costumes, or anything else, clear communication between you, us, and the production team is essential for a smooth experience. We want to make sure everything goes according to plan!
A friendly attitude and enthusiasm go a long way on set. Productions will always remember the children who bring a positive, can-do attitude to a busy day. So, encourage your child to be kind, thoughtful, and proactive. A great attitude helps ensure they’ll be asked back for more projects in the future!
On set your child can only film for a certain amount of hours, these hours have been put in place by The Children and Young Persons Act 1963 and the subsequent The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014Â to ensure the wellbeing of your child.
| Topic | Age 0 to 4 | Age 5 to 8 | Age 9 and over |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximum number of hours at place of performance or rehearsal. |
5 hours |
8 hours |
9.5 hours |
|
Earliest and latest permitted times at place of performance or rehearsal |
7am to 10pm |
7am to 11pm |
7am to 11pm |
|
Maximum period of continuous performance or rehearsal |
30 minutes |
2.5 hours |
2.5 hours |
|
Maximum total hours of performance or rehearsal |
2 hours |
3 hours |
5 hours |
Child Licensing
All children under 16 must have a child performance license before they can work on a film set. This license ensures the safety of children both on and off set. It also helps the local council make sure that productions have planned properly to protect children during filming. As an agency, we handle the license application process for parents. We submit the application to your child’s local education authority (LEA). If you’re unsure which council that is, it’s the one you pay your council tax to. Your child cannot start filming until the license is approved and issued. We will need certain documents from you to complete the application, which will be confirmed when you receive your child’s booking confirmation.
What To Bring?
Filming days can be long and there is often a lot of waiting around, so child supporting artists should be prepared with:
Games! Uno, Colouring, Chess and any other games are always a hit in the holding area. Chaperones will encourage children to not go on their phones and instead play games with each other. This is a fantastic way for them to make some amazing friends from all walks of life.
Snacks and Refillable Water Bottle! Unless told otherwise, production will always provide children with lunch (and breakfast depending on the time). Nevertheless, we always suggest parents pack their kids with lots of snacks in case they get hungry. If your child is a picky eater it may even be worth sending them with a packed lunch. Any allergies or dietary requirements need to be made aware to the agency before the child goes onto set.
Appropriate Clothing! Before leaving for set please make sure that the children are packed with appropriate clothing. If it is in winter, make sure they have a warm coat, gloves, hat etc as we want to keep them as warm and happy as possible travelling to and from set. Likewise in the summer please also think about hats and sun cream in case they are filming outside. Extra socks are always beneficial in case their feet get wet during filming.
Chaperones
Our chaperones are noted as some of the best in the UK. With decades of experience and passion for working with children, our department is an asset to any produciton looking for reliable, consistent and engaging chaperones. Whether its with main cast or SA’s, we will work extensively to make sure we find the right fit for both the child and the produciton. With years of booking experience we can guarantee that our chaperones will not just nurture, but elevate your artists performances.
Ready to Join?
If you have read all the details on this page carefully and are interested in your child joining our books as a Child Supporting Artist, please fill out the form below!
Join our Child SA Books
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Contact our Child SA and Chaperone Booker
Hue Drinkwater
- sakids@articulatesdc.com
- 01274 916633
- @Articulate_Drama_School
