How to DIRECT Child Actors: 7 TIPS for Working with Kids

Directors often need to work with child actors, and learning how to direct young actors can be an intimidating task. Film Jams has the scoop on best practices for working with kid actors. With these 7 tips on how to direct child actors, the process should be more fun and collaborative for the both of you.

The biggest thing to remember about children is that they’re children! They’re not used to working for long periods of time and they need fun things to keep it interactive for them. Working in short time intervals is a big help for child actors, as is keeping them fed (healthily) and bringing their toys on set. It also doesn’t hurt to have a nice and fun atmosphere and to give them lots of positive reinforcement.

Kids also like to be part of the creative process. Children have some of the most unique viewpoints, and since they haven’t been working in film nearly as long as you, they might have interesting outsider perspectives. Listen to what they have to say, and incorporate them into the process. You may even appreciate some of their insights!

You may be able to spout a series of commands to an adult, but this method can overload a young actor. Try to direct children by reviewing their footage with them. Children don’t respond as well to being told what to do as opposed to seeing what they could do better on screen. Lastly, using a good marker for children to stay still is a must, whether that be a box or a pot or something along those lines...the young actress in our video, Lennon, loves standing in her pot. She says it helps her focus and stand still!

Let us know what you’d like to see in our next video in the comments below, and feel free to ask questions on how to direct child actors. We respond to all comments! Please subscribe if you enjoyed our video!

What do you think about How to Direct Child Actors: 7 Tips for Working with Kids? Let us know, and thanks for watching!

If you have any questions on the techniques used in this review video, please send a note in the comments. Thanks for watching How to Direct Child Actors: 7 Tips, in our Film Jams series!

++ SUBscribe to our channel: youtube.com/c/filmjams?sub_confirmation=1

-- Share this video: youtu.be/LNED0hKMt4U

** Film Jams on Instagram: instagram.com/film_jams/

-- Check out Lennon's channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC71URmOZqxDW8SB_hGQs4eQ

The equipment we use to film:

CAMERAS
-Canon C100 - amzn.to/2u04CMm
-Sony A7sII - amzn.to/2IL1GN3
-Sony A7III - amzn.to/2PU6Tlt

LENSES
-Canon 24-105mm f/4 - amzn.to/2ILo9tp
-Canon 85mm f/1.2 II L - amzn.to/2KP1Xii
-Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 - amzn.to/2xngAEb
-Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II - amzn.to/2C3wRAa

TRIPODS
-Sachtler - amzn.to/2KTXbfH

MICS
-Sennheiser MKE600 - amzn.to/2ILulBP
-Sennheiser 416 - amzn.to/2INrtQy

LIGHTS:
-Litepanels Astra (6x) - amzn.to/2KUBYCB
-Litepanels Gemini - amzn.to/2wIilZ1
-Altman Specta 100 Cyc Lights

PHOTO GEAR
-Canon 5D mkIII - amzn.to/2KRE3zl
-Profoto Softbox - amzn.to/2NuqMyF
-Profoto Beauty Dish - amzn.to/2zgfjPV
-Profoto D2 500 Strobe Kit - amzn.to/2J28AZx

Filmed on location at: LitewaveMedia.com in St. Petersburg, FL

Special Thanks to the St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission Digital Creator Program

Disclaimer: This video description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. It doesn't cost any more for you, and helps support the channel so we can continue to make more videos like this. Thank you for your support!

#howtodirectchildactors #directingchildactors #directingkidsinmovies