Directing Kids

F

fede:lang

Active member
Hi, I need some help over here. I am currently developing my graduation project on Film & TV. The thing is I have to make a written Thesis work. I was wondering if any of you know any literature on Directing Kids or any websites that talk about it...

Thanks
 
Don't know any resources, but a little advice: if you work with kids under 10, double or triple book 'em.
 
And have your DP carry a squirt gun and candy. Every time they look at the camera give them a three shots right between the eyes; if they do their lines well, then they get the treat...
 
how many kids?

I've created two films with my summer day camp, which involved in one project, over 40 kids, and in another, around 14.

the ages ranged from 6-11
 
I was on a shoot with about a dozen kids (a schoolroom scene) and several members of the crew devised little games the kids could play to occupy themselves while shots were being set up and discussed with the adult actor (in this case, me). Each kid's desk had a little chalkboard on it, so the games all involved various drawing "contests", for which the winner was awarded a dollar, but I'm sure other types of things could be devised. All the kids were amatueurs and appeared to be between about 8 and 13.

It kept almost all of them occupied and content for quite a long time. One younger boy eventually had to be reminded several times to focus, but otherwise it was a very effective technique.

I've worked a lot with top pro kids as well (mostly Broadway stars), and in large enough groups they will tend to go ballistic in a heartbeat, just like ordinary kids do.

The talent some of these kids have at their young age is truly something to behold. But they're still just kids...

Thank God : )
 
Get a kid wrangler. And a staging area.

I always try to bring in a professional nanny to help wrangle the kids and set up a dvd player in the staging area with lots of kids programing.
 
biggest trick!

cast a kid that looks younger, but is older... cast a 10yr old that can pass for 7

makeup and wardrobe go along way don't forget...

and always go for smart, that goes with any actor, but even more important in kids

also be realistic on what you can get out of them, and pay attention to the rules of how long you can work them, they are there for a reason..

good luck,
cc
 
With kids, they either got it or they don't, so don't cast a kid unless it's obvious they can act from the get go. Another bit of advice, if you have to do adr, do it as soon as you can after the shoot, as kids voices change pretty quickly. And if they are being bratty on set just do what I did and bribe'em. Back in film school, I had an unruly kid actor, so I told him I'd give him my Sega Genesis if he behaved. Any time he got out of line, I just said "SEGA!" and he'd snap to attention. He gave a pretty good performance and got his Genesis.
 
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