Tips on Directing Kids
As directors, we’re always hearing about the challenges of working with kids. In film school, we were constantly hearing horror stories of shoots that would go into triple overtime because a kiddo had a meltdown.
Fast forward to today - CamLock is a commercial production company that specializes in food, family (yes, kids & pets included), and lifestyle social videos!
Throughout the years, we've had the privilege of directing children for clients like Loctite, H-E-B, National Domestic Violence Hotline, WIC, Foster Angels, (and more!) and have learned so much along the way about how to get the best possible performances from young talent.
3 Valuable Tips When Working with Children on Set:
Working with children can be both a fun and challenging experience on a film or video set. There is no “one size fits all” approach to directing any talent, but especially with kids. So it’s important to cater your approach specifically to your talent.
Casting
Casting is an important part of any role, but especially in the case with kids. The most important thing that we think about during the casting process is -
If they can’t do it in the audition, then they can’t do it on set.
Auditions are the time to see if you can direct the talent to become who you need them to be. In rehearsals, it should be minor adjustments only, and by the time you get on set, everything should already be in place.
For babies, we always cast a baby and a back up baby. This ensures that if our first choice baby is crying or fussy, we have an alternate option.
When they’re ready, we’re ready.
Scheduling
After casting, scheduling is crucial for a successful shoot with kids. We collaborate closely with production and the AD to ensure everything runs smoothly. ADs' experience in various shoots is valuable, and I trust their judgment while also making some requests based on my preferences.
When working with babies, time is limited, so we prioritize efficiency. If an actor needs to hold a baby in a scene, we ensure they are ready with wardrobe, hair, and makeup before the baby arrives. Introducing the actor to the baby's parents and allowing them to bond beforehand helps create a comfortable on-set environment.
During lighting and rehearsals, we use a baby doll as a stand-in to avoid overwhelming the baby with too many crew members. We aim to bring the baby on set with the parents early, while we're still rehearsing with the baby doll.
Whether to have parents in the room during filming is a case-by-case decision, and I trust my instincts to make the call. If parents are present, I position them near the camera so the baby's gaze appears natural on screen.
With kids, I always request to meet them ahead of the shoot day, after the audition process and after we’ve decided on the cast, especially non-actor kids. This helps build familiarity and trust, creating a relaxed environment. Understanding their personalities and interests guides my approach to directing them.
If they say they love legos, you can bet that I’m going to go out and get them some leggos to play with between takes.
On set, I spend as much time with the kids as possible before they need to be on set. For younger kids, I like to color with them for a bit. For older kids, maybe we play tag in the backyard before we’re ready. Everything on set needs to be intentional and scheduled, so I make sure the AD knows my expectations for the set day ahead of time and it’s often written into their schedule.
My last tip is to be flexible! We recently shot some kiddos playing family games together and one of the kids was getting angry because she was losing to her brother. We luckily were able to pivot to different game where they both could play on the same team. Rolling with the punches and being adaptable is key to having a successful & timely shoot.
Cultivate the right environment
Working with children on set requires a special blend of patience and positivity. First and foremost, it's essential to approach each interaction with a calm and understanding demeanor. Children might not always respond as expected, so being patient and allowing them the time to adjust to the environment is crucial.
Some quick tips for getting some great performances out of younger performers:
Tailor your direction to the age of the kid. Directing a teen has a much different feeling to a toddler.
Get to know the kids before they step onto set. Auditioning them is not enough. Be a familiar face when they first arrive. Go and color with them while they’re waiting for their next scene. Find out what motivates them!
Be the kiddo’s best friend on set. Get down on their level when talking to them.
Mirror the emotion you want them to convey. Do you want them to be sad? You gotta talk to them in a sad voice. Be careful not to overstimulate! This should just be for when the child is in the scene.
Don’t be afraid to get their parents involved! If you’re struggling to get a performance, their mom or dad might be just the person to snap them out of it.
Lastly, make sure it’s fun for them to perform! Too often I’ve seen directors bribe kids into performance - “if you do one more take, you can go get ice cream.” This is not a great approach because they will be thinking about the ice cream instead of the performance!
Instead try to make it a game, say things like, “Can you see how fast you can ride your bike on the next take?” or “on this one, can you count to 10 in your head while you’re coloring?” Kids have fun being challenged, so giving them a goal helps things feel more fun and will give a more genuine performance.
Always ‘clap wrap’ kids! They love it and it leaves them with a really positive set experience.
Working with child actors requires a special kind of sensitivity and understanding. Ultimately remember that as a director, you set the tone on set. Children are incredibly perceptive and absorb the energy around them like sponges. Be a friendly and supportive presence, setting them up for success, and most importantly, enjoy the experience of being on set together!
If you enjoyed this blog, read our blog about tips for directing animals on set!