Frequently Asked Questions

Frequenty Asked Questions

1. I have a set of identical twin boys who are six months old. Would there be any work for babies this age.
2. I have fraternal twins, who look very different. Is their any benefit in the business to having fraternal twins?
3. I have twins - Do I need to bring another caregiver to help me on set?
4. Do you ever get calls for newborns?
5. Are their any special requirements for babies in the industry?
6. How many hours can my five year old twins work in a given day?
7. Are any monies withheld by the Union (Actra Fraternal) for my child?
8. Do productions require children during school hours?
9. Do I need to stay with my child on set?
10. Do I need professional pictures for my young children?
11. How do I get my child into the Actors’ Union (Actra)?
12. How much will my child earn working as a background performer?
13. What is your commission as an Agent?
14. How long is a normal day for my 10 year old child?
15. How many hours will my child be paid.
16. Will my working child be provided lunch?
17. My child is booked to work, when will I know what time she needs to be on set and the location.

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Q. I have a set of identical twin boys who are six months old. Would there be any work for babies this age.

A. Yes, twins are needed quite often in this business, especially babies. Productions will often book twins for several different reasons:

Can work with both babies, when one has ‘had enough, we can switch to a ‘fresh’ baby;
Babies can only be under the lights for a limited amount of time. Having two babies who look alike, enables productions to utilize their time effectively.
Having twins, sometimes allows productions to extend their day, by using one twin at the top of day, and the 2nd twin later in the day.

Q. I have fraternal twins, who look very different. Is their any benefit in the business to having fraternal twins?

A. Not really

Q. I have twins - Do I need to bring another caregiver to help me on set?

A. Yes, there must be one parent/caregiver per baby

Q. Do you ever get calls for newborns?

A. Yes -- babies can work as young as 15 days old.

Q. Are their any special requirements for babies in the industry?

A. Yes, babies under the age of 2, must have a separate room, equipped with a crib and change table. There are many provisions set out in the IPA to protect children working in the business. Again, I would strongly recommend that familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines for children working in the business.

Q. How many hours can my five year old twins work in a given day?

A. Children UNDER the age of 12 years of age can work an 8 hour day (plus one hour for lunch). Overtime is NOT allowed for children under 12.

Q. Are any monies withheld by the Union (Actra Fraternal) for my child?

A. Yes, if your child earns more than $5,000.00 (lifetime earnings), then Actra will withhold 25% of any monies earned over $5,000.00. I would suggest that you refer to Actra’s website to obtain further information.

Q. Do productions require children during school hours?

A. Yes, kids are needed any time of the day. Productions are required to provide a Tutor under certain circumstances. Please refer to Actra’s website for information on tutoring.

Q. Do I need to stay with my child on set?

A. Yes, parents of minors MUST be on set at all times with your child.
All children under the age of 16 MUST be chaperoned.

Q. Do I need professional pictures for my young children?

A. No

Q. How do I get my child into the Actors’ Union (Actra)?

A. Your child would need to book a Union commercial or have a speaking part. Working background does not qualify one to join the union as an apprentice, unless certain criteria is met (i.e. 200 hours). Please refer to Actra’s website for further information on how to join Actra .

Q. How much will my child earn working as a background performer?

A. If you child is not a union member, the rate of pay is $10.25 per hour. If your child is a union member, then they will earn $22.50 per hour, pursuant to the current IPA rates.

Q. What is your commission as an Agent?

A. 15% of Gross Earnings

Q. How long is a normal day for my 10 year old child?

A. Children under 12 may work a total of 8 hours (plus one for lunch). Always assume that your child will work a full day. If you get wrapped before 8 hours, it is a bonus. If you accept a booking, clear your entire day. Children from 12 - 16, can work two additional hours of overtime.

Q. How many hours will my child be paid.

A. For Background work - background performers work on an 8 hour minimum call. Your child will therefore be paid for 8 hours. If your child works overtime (over 12 years old), then he/she will be paid at the overtime rate for the additional overtime hours.

Q. Will my working child be provided lunch?

A. Yes, in most cases

Q. My child is booked to work, when will I know what time she needs to be on set and the location.

A. This is one of my most asked questions. At the time of booking, all we know is that your child is working on ‘Tuesday’. You should not accept a booking, unless your entire day is free. I will not know your child’s call time and location until the evening before he/she is scheduled to work. Call times can be very early in the morning. Agents DO NOT receive call times from the Casting Director until the production has wrapped for the day. Please be patient when waiting for call times. DO NOT CALL YOUR AGENT LOOKING FOR A CALL TIME – THEY WILL CONTACT YOU.