Workshop: Working with child actors

Screen and Film School were delighted to welcome Natalie Sexton and graduate James Honess to our London Road site in January for an in-depth workshop with our students.

Natalie is the founder of Natalie Sexton Associates – an agency that represents a number of talented children in the acting and musical theatre fields from the Brighton and Hove area. Clients are currently involved in West End, UK/International Tours, feature films and commercials.

In the two hour workshop, Screen and Film School third-year students were given the opportunity to direct young actors from Natalie’s agency in a relaxed workshop environment.

The session focused on rules, regulations and best practice when working with child actors, including:

• A breakdown of safety and security for children, why they need chaperones, and etiquette for protecting not just the child but yourself on set
• A demonstration on directing children in a professional, engaging, and productive way
• A practical task where the students were divided into groups with a child actor, to read through scripts and take direction or improvise scenes

Huge thanks to Natalie, James, and of course all of the brilliant child actors, for being part of such an exciting workshop at Screen and Film School!