To ask that my DD be paid?

[Travelfairy]

DD (11) recently shot 2 films for Graduates of film school. When casting on two separate occasions they said they could only cover 'limited' expenses and the roles would be unpaid due to low budget.
I wanted her and she wanted to gain some experience, days were long but enjoyable but shoot location was 2 hours drive away including tolled motorways etc
She has been invited for another audition, they need someone asap due to unforseen circumstances of original actress. They emailed today asking can she do a zoom call tomorrow. I have replied yes but said that if she is cast this time she will need to be paid. I am happy to chaperone for free but she will need some sort of payment. On the set of the first film I found out one of the other lead roles was being paid and on the ladt film ALL other actors (all adults) were all paid). I feel its very unfair so have emailed requesting clarification on this before proceeding with audition.
Although it is an audition, they have already asked for measurements etc and the co star is a lady she previously worked with and had great chemistry so its not like there's 100 kids up for this part so I felt it wasnt fair to waste either of our time. This location is another 2 hours away which will realistically probably require a hotel stay due to filming late into the night.
YABU-they will just go with someone who will do for free..
YANBU- low budget or not, if they can afford to pay for other actors they should be able to pay for her!

Yes. You need a contract, with agreed terms, before she starts the job.

This must be illegal to have child labour with no contract and no wages. Even animal owners get paid for the dog/cat/horse actors.

Don't understand why she doing this and you travelling two hours if dd not getting paid and there's no benefit. You need a contract and payment

They are film students in the final year. I wanted her to get experience and she be credited for it and they provide footage that we can use for her showreel. She really wanted to do it and gain the experience, it has been good from a networking point of view but yes you are all right she should be getting paid!

For the 7% if votes that said IABU, can you let me know why? I'm interested in those views too

Is your DD trying to be an actress? If so I’m not sure this is the best way to go about it.

That aside, YANBU to ask she is paid when agreeing to future films. You would be unreasonable to be angry if they said no they are only offering her unpaid.

If they have said it’s unpaid, it’s up to her if she accepts the role.

They actually haven't said its unpaid but previous two films she did from same college were unpaid roles.

What is a better way to go about it? She attends a stage school (5 classes in dance, singing, MT, drama) does ballet with a separate ballet school, separate acting for film/TV classes. She has been cast in lots of stage productions but wants to gain experience in film too and these opportunities came along. She has an agent and goes for auditions for commercials etc through this bur hasn't booked any of those roles yet (only registered 6 months). I would love to hear any tips you have of what we should do differently. Its a tough old industry!

The point is that they probably think the value of the experience is enough. If
you dont think it's worth it don't do it.

Ahh I was going to say get an agent.

Was just thinking it sounds like it might be quite demotivating for your DD if she does a lot of long unpaid days unless she’s really enjoying the experience each time.

Could agent advise what is typical? They probably have more experience of whether child actors are paid for this kind of thing/how useful it is.

I think because it’s a clear unpaid opportunity to gain experience and a credit. Is the agent via the stage school (like PQA or StageCoach?) - we found that hit and miss. One of the dc does some unpaid acting as well as paid and has a credit plus IMDb entry .

Agent thinks its a good idea to gain experience but did say after last one to hold out maybe for paid work... if it was more local to us I might have let it slide but this is massive trek to location

It's a student film offering no pay. If they're not lying about that then choose to do it for experience.
They get a meal and hopefully travel expenses. But you can accept it or not.
Most people in film work for free at some point early on. But you're not forced to.

Yeah its not clear, thats why I have asked bit also included that it'll need to be paid if she is cast. Otherwise they can go with someone else. Might sound harsh but like taking annual leave etc and all that travel to just be given 'expenses' isnt worth it. Last time they only barely covered fuel costs, nothing else

My son didn’t even get paid by the BBC for 5 long days filming a show for CBeebies about 15 years ago, he got a goody bag of show merchandise and posterity when it was shown on BBC1 - and repeated for quite a few years after! They allegedly however made a donation to the school for letting him have the time off and obviously catering etc was all covered by them.
Under your circumstances however I think I would swerve as it’s ridiculously unfair if there’s no recompense for her time, tricky one as obviously the experience and networking will stand her in good stead. I wish her well in her career 😊

Thank you and very true actually because my son did similar and also just got a goody bag!
I am going to see how the call goes tomorrow amd take it from there x