Child Labor Laws in Film?
Writer/Director/Producer Thomas Purifoy, Jr., (Modern Parables) recently employed what may be the youngest crew member in filmmaking history. Seen in her father’s arms, little Emily looks at home with the production equipment.
Because of his time in the Navy, Thomas is quite at home in the water, but says Emily is still a little young to go to sea. 
But she’s not too young to talk over scene directions with her dad or give him ideas on camera placement.
It is fun to see filmmakers include their kids in the action (I heard recently that producer Bobby Downes’ son Brennen was a stand-in for Maxwell Perry Cotton on the set of Like Dandelion Dust).
What better way for the next generation of Christian filmmakers to learn their trade than at the feet (or in the arms) of the men who are breaking new ground?
Have pictures of your kids on the set with you? Send them to me with news about your film and we’ll talk about it here.
We just shot something for a web comedy series we’re producing called “The Expert” (Working Title) and I had an opportunity to use my 2 year-old boy for 2 scenes and it was fun. He was supposed to hug Chris, the main character, and came running toward him, but then he passed him by as little kids love to do… and it was pretty funny and actually went in line with the way our main character’s life is where nothing goes right for him. That’s the thing with little ones, you never know what they’re going to do… but they are such blessings.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:33 am