After months of COVID-related audition and production shutdowns, the acting world is beginning to reopen. I’m fielding many questions from my students’ parents regarding safety precautions, auditions, schooling, and on set protocols. Here’s some information that you should consider so that you can make wise choices as you think about your child actor returning to work.
Difference Between Union and Nonunion Jobs
When your child works under the SAG-AFTRA union guidelines, the production must follow stringent safety guidelines. In response to COVID, SAG-AFTRA developed specific protocols to ensure safety during auditions and on set. You can review the safety protocols here.
If your child works in a nonunion job, the production team will develop their own safety protocols. Requirements may vary widely from job to job. Before your child auditions or accepts work in a nonunion production, inquire about safety procedures for both you and your child. If your child has an agent or manager, make sure to consult with them. Having a thorough understanding of the SAG-AFTRA guidelines will help you evaluate nonunion opportunities wisely.
Auditions
All first auditions are conducted virtually for union jobs, with scripts, rundowns, schedules, and agreements provided digitally. If your child earns a second live audition, they’ll be able to either wait in your car until their turn or in a waiting area with enough room for social distancing. Some productions may use an app for check-in and text messaging to call them in for their audition. If a live group audition is required, actors will be protected either by clear face shields or partitions provided by the producer. Again, for nonunion auditions the guidelines may be different so be sure to consult with your team first.
Quarantining
Recently one of my students booked a guest role on a television episodic. He was asked to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks before starting work. Since his mom couldn’t leave her full-time job he was accompanied by his aunt, Broadway actor Michelle Aravena. They had no idea what to expect but were excited for the experience. This is how Aravena described it: “The rules of our ‘hard’ quarantine were much stricter than I had anticipated. We were only allowed out of our hotel room for two 30 minute sessions a day which were supervised by a personal assistant in order to make sure that our quarantine was not compromised. We were tested every other day. The most important thing to me was keeping Jordan active and motivated. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be cooped up in a hotel room for 12 days and then be thrown on set expected to be ready and focused. I needed to be sure that he stayed stimulated.”
Make sure the production staff reviews any isolation requirements with you and your child when offering a part.
On Set Protocols
Safety is essential on set. In union jobs, the SAG-AFTRA guidelines outline requirements for testing, screening, zoning, and the use of personal protective equipment. Aravena says one of Jordan’s favorite parts that made him feel like a movie star was when they were escorted from their trailer to the set and some shouted, “Zone A coming through. Please clear.” Jordan’s biggest disappointment was no craft services!
Schooling
If your child is working three days or more on set, they’re required to have an on set tutor. I spoke to Alan Simon, president of On Location Education, an educational consulting service for young performers, to hear what he had to say: “The COVID-19 Return to Work Agreement signed by a consortium of unions with the major studios, amends the SAG-AFTRA Codified Basic Agreement Section 50.D ‘to provide that [onset] teachers may instruct minors remotely to the extent permitted by law or the applicable governmental authority. The key wording in this sentence is ‘to the extent permitted by law or applicable governmental authority.’ In California, for example, its Department of Labor yields to remote shoots that allow for a studio teacher to be on call virtually. However, live tapings, rehearsals, etc., require the physical presence of the studio teacher. Additionally, parents should also be clear that virtual teaching is not necessarily a panacea. Virtual teaching is best one-on-one, especially onset, where every student comes to the table with a specific curriculum. More than one or two students may not get the focus of a virtual teacher, and so a hybrid of physical and virtual teaching may have to be discussed with production.”
On Location Education has also compiled a list of resources for on set schooling and industry updates here.
Managing Anxiety
With so much uncertainty as virus cases are still on the rise, your child may have many concerns about taking a job right now. Rather than skirt the issue, talk openly and honestly about realities. The worry of imagining circumstances can be worse than what is actually happening. Stress self-care and assure them safety protocols are in place for everyone's benefit.
You are your child’s best role model, so do your best to stay calm and reassuring. Remember, you are your child’s best advocate. If you don’t feel an audition or role is safe for you or your child, decline it and wait for a better opportunity.
Because we don’t know when the virus will subside, aim to stay flexible, maintain your regular family routines, and work with your child to evaluate each opportunity with an eye on safety as well as how the job will delight and challenge your young actor.
