Preparing Your Child for the Experience

A professional job is an adventure, but it is also work. Helping your child understand what to expect will help them stay calm and perform at their best.

Set the Scene: Explain that film sets, studios and theatres can be busy working environments with lots of people, equipment, noise and waiting around. Help your child understand that professional work often involves a balance of performing, listening, following instructions and being patient between tasks.
Who to listen to: Talk through the key adults your child may work with and why their roles matter. This may include directors, assistant directors, stage managers, tutors and other production staff — but first and foremost, your child’s approved chaperone, whose role is to support their wellbeing and safety while they are working.
Transition of Care: Prepare your child for the fact that you may not always be with them during working hours. Explain that their chaperone is there specifically to look after them, answer questions and help them feel safe. Where possible, introduce your child to their chaperone before you leave. Talking through routines, expectations and any important information beforehand can help make the transition feel smoother and more secure.
Boundaries: Remind your child that they have agency over their body:
- They should know it is okay to say if a costume is too tight, if they are too hot, or if a physical action feels unsafe.
- If an Intimacy Co-ordinator is on set (common for scenes involving physical contact or emotional themes), explain that this person is there to make sure everyone feels comfortable, including them.
Managing Nerves: Feeling nervous is normal. Simple grounding strategies can help children regulate emotions before auditions, rehearsals or scenes. For example:
- noticing five things they can see
- taking three slow breaths
- holding a familiar object
- quietly naming how they are feeling
Behaviour on Set: Simple expectations can help children feel confident in professional environments:
- Be polite to everyone.
- Stay in the "Holding Area" unless told otherwise.
  - Do not wander off as this can be dangerous to you or other people if you stand somewhere other than where you have been told.
- No mobile phones or taking photos on set unless given express permission.
- Follow Instructions