What does On-Set Tutor mean?
On-Set Tutor is an educator provided by the production to ensure that child performers continue their schooling while working on a film, television, or commercial set. California law requires that child performers receive a minimum of three hours of education on each day they work, and the on-set tutor — often the same person as the studio teacher — delivers this instruction in a designated schoolroom or quiet area on or near the set. The on-set tutor coordinates with the child’s regular school to stay aligned with the curriculum and ensure that the child’s academic progress is not disrupted by their professional activities.
Example:Between scenes, the child actor spent two hours in the production’s schoolroom with the on-set tutor, completing the math and reading assignments her regular teacher had sent with her for the week — maintaining her grade-level progress while filming continued.
Example: The on-set tutor worked closely with the first AD to coordinate the child actor’s school hours around the shooting schedule, ensuring the required three hours of instruction were completed each day without disrupting the production’s planned coverage.
Did you know?
The on-set tutor requirement is one of the most distinctive and educationally protective aspects of California’s child performer laws. Productions must provide a qualified teacher and adequate learning space regardless of the cost or inconvenience — the child’s education is legally non-negotiable. Some child actors have spoken about genuinely enjoying their on-set schooling because of the individualized attention they received from dedicated tutors in contrast to crowded regular classrooms.
You can also find “On-Set Tutor” and related terms in this category: Filming and Production.
