A Producer’s Filming Guidelines for Minors in Georgia

Producing a film that’s got any minor talent or roles that must be suitably played by a minor will require a firm grasp on more than just the importance of basically rules and regulations. Child labor laws in the entertainment industry are specifically designed for the protection of those most innocent. Children. And although frequently included in Peach State productions, filming guidelines for minors in Georgia are often overlooked. 

Failure to abide by the local laws regarding minor talent can have serious repercussions. Especially for the producer that’s in charge of the film set. And the crew responsible for the production.

To help you familiarize yourself with the local laws and filming guidelines for minors in Georgia. And to ensure adequate protection for minor children in the Georgia film industry.

Beverly Boy Productions has produced a helpful guide! One which outlines the complex regulations that are expected to keep minor talent safe. And away from harmful or otherwise hazardous working conditions on set.

Statistics

According to Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) statistics, approximately 80% of all students of high school age pursue some type of employment during the year.

Child labor laws are in place to protect those children as well as to ensure safe and secure working conditions while ensuring youth the time to continue attending school in addition to working.

To allow youth the opportunity to work in the film industry. While equally taking steps to ensure their safety, federal, state, and local laws represent minor talent.

And in the event that there are overlaps or differences in the laws, the most stringent regulation is that which is to be observed. It’s really all about protecting the children!

Start with Permissions!

No matter where you’re working with children on the set, in Georgia or any other state. The first step to ensuring minor talent is physically allowed to be on set is to obtain a minor talent release form.

This form should be obtained, signed by the minor’s parent, guardian, or both, in advance of any work being performed on or off the set.

If you’re new to hiring minor talent? Know that the release is something that must be signed and included in the chain of title for your film.

Work Permits

The next step will be checking on work permits. Georgia requires that minors be certified in advance of employment in the film industry.

And that any employing unit (production company) also be issued an approved employing unit certification and certification number. This comes from the Georgia Department of Labor.

Rules and Regulations

According to the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, Rule 300-7-1-.06. For a minor to be eligible to work in Georgia on the film set they must have a representative.

As well as have certification to work with approval from the Georgia Department of Labor. Certification allows the minor to work for a Certified Employing Unit.

Work Hours for Minors in the Georgia Film Industry

Minors that are heavily engaged in the film industry will often pursue home studies. Or non-traditional schooling. Which allows them greater flexibility to work and continue their educational studies. 

The GDOL requires that minors who are over 15 days old have work schedules. Which are in accordance with the schedule of hours or performance. And that no interference with external school schedules occur or conflict with their educational studies. 

Working

Computing the hours of work for minor talent in Georgia requires the minor to be considered at the location. As soon as the Minor signs into the Employing Unit’s hours of performance log. Which is also required by the state to track minor working times.

The minor is considered “Working” until they are allowed to leave the location itself. Not just until they are done “acting” or otherwise working on set. Additionally, minors must be scheduled meal periods which must NOT be considered “Work time.” 

The first meal in a long workday must be scheduled within the first 6 hours. Whereas any subsequent meals may take place no more than 7 hours after the beginning of the previous meal.

For example

If a minor begins working at 5 a.m. their first meal break must be provided by or before 11a.m. And if they are on set for a long day their next meal must be provided by or before 6p.m. Minors may not begin working in Georgia prior to 5.am.

Locations & Facilities

Filming guidelines for minors in Georgia specify that a location authorization and approval be obtained by the employer prior to minor talent working at the location.

Any production that a minor will work on in Georgia must be registered with the Department of Labor. As well as the location authorized.

Location applications may be submitted electronically for approval. Along with the administrative fee of $50. Which allows for the processing of the application for location approval.

Adequate Spaces

In addition to location approval, minors must have access to adequate dressing rooms, rest rooms, a rest area and seating, hydration, and protection from weather when working on set.

Dressing rooms must never be occupied simultaneously by an adult performer. In addition to the minor performer if they are of opposite sex.

The child labor coordinator and the child’s representative will inspect the locations and facilities in advance of the child gaining access to the area. 

Education

In addition to all of the above filming guidelines for minors in Georgia, education remains a key area of importance in consideration as to scheduling and the activities that take place within the production.

Minors that work for a production must be granted time for instruction and privacy when learning. A studio teacher will be provided by the Employing Unit for any day that the minor would regularly attend school.

For any production that guarantees more than one school day worth of work for the project. 

Homeschooling

In the event that a minor is homeschooled to allow more time to engage in the work taking place on set, schedules and timing are based on the local area school district in which the minor resides.

When instruction is to be provided for the student during or in between work on the set, no such instruction is to be provided prior to 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

In Summary

As you can see, when it comes to understanding filming guidelines for minors in Georgia, a producer certainly has his or her work cut out for them. Failure to follow local labor laws can result in citations and penalties for violations.

These violations could potentially be cited by the Georgia Department of Labor. If you’re a producer considering the hiring of minor talent for your production in Georgia, make sure that you familiarize yourself with area labor laws as they apply specifically to the entertainment industry.