When the young actor is getting his primary acting training, school will not be an issue. The coaching classes are after school or on Saturday. They don’t conflict. Commonly they are once a week in the evening, 6pm to 8pm. Plenty of time to get the soccer match over, the homework done and get to workshop.
Once a young actor is with an agent, and successful, that all changes. It becomes a scheduling Mensa test. Most successful young actors are bright, do well at school. The exception to the rule is the “class clown”. They are bright too, but they demonstrate it by comedic behaviour and pranks. Not by grade average.
The young actor will need to become adept at doing homework in the car. Once his career is off and running he will want to consider home schooling.
When a working actor, there will be a set teacher to assist the child with their school assignments.
Generally young actors that are heavily working find home schooling much more efficient as they do not get behind. In fact many home schooled actors graduate early and thereby are eligible for more scholarships. Colleges show preference to home schooled students. When properly home schooled they come in more prepared to learn.
By law, when a young actor is on the set they must be supervised by a Social Worker and Set Teacher. There is much down time waiting for takes. During the school year this is spent in the film location classroom.
If the young actor auditions a lot and lives out of town, the parent will repeatedly have to take the young actor out of school to make the auditions on time. At this point you have to assess whether this career is important to the young actor or a passing whim. In the long run a young actor’s education is imperative to their success in adult life. Any way you slice it, it has to work for the best development of the young actor.
This is another reason why it doesn’t make sense to pursue an acting career if you do not really want it passionately. The young actor will miss many school activities, birthday parties and sleepovers. You have to asses how bad he wants it. Is it worth what he’s giving up?
If home schooling is indicated, then you call your school district. They will set you up with a curriculum and a good teacher. Many times the type of actor who aspires to a career in film also does extremely well in home schooling. This is because to succeed in acting you have to be self driven. This skill is very important in home schooling as well.
A home schooled actor can progress at his own pace. As fast as he likes. An aggressive actor can graduate years early. They can start on college extension courses and be far ahead of the game when they actually are ready to attend college.
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