Introducing the brand new role on set:

The Young Performer Support Specialist

What is a Young Performer Support Specialist?

A Young Performer Support Specialist (YPS) is an on-set professional focusing specifically on diffusing traumatic, difficult, sensitive and possibly harmful content for minor actors through imaginative play, acting coaching and specific protocols for working with minors.

By working closely with the director, the YPS will assist in creating believable performances, while keeping the minors safe, comfortable and engaged. The YPS works within specifically designed protocols that include pre-production conversations, on-set coaching, creative expression, step-in and -outs and postproduction checkups. The YPS is different from a chaperone, child minder, tutor or intimacy coordinator.

Our Young Performer Support Specialist (YPS) has 25 years of experience in child acting coaching, acting and play therapy.

Why use a Young Person Support Specialist?

Historically, there has not been a dedicated third party person on set to specifically manage challenging content with minors. Child chaperones have assisted in managing child actors and tutors have looked after their schooling on set, but there has not been a role that focused on the quality of performance through imaginative play and trauma disarming in the context of safety and well-being.

Safe Sets aims for every minor to leave a set inspired, motivated, excited and enabled. We have achieved our golden standard when:

• The minor's development has not been hastened,

• Exposure to topics beyond their phase of development has been thwarted.

• Their innocence has not been scarred,

• Yet, performances are honest, truthful and character driven.

The child's well-being should not be sacrificed in service of the storyline and trauma should never be collateral damage for art, rather the YPS is equipped to facilitate a safe, consensual, playful and uplifting creative experience that simultaneously aims to achieve the directorial vision for the scene.

Content the YPS might support?

Broadly speaking any action, theme, or moment that could cause emotional, psychological, or spiritual distress.
Examples may include scenes depicting

• Bullying
• Domestic or physical violence
• Adult aggression toward minors
• Death, grief, or loss
• Scary or threatening environments
• Fire, water, or elements
• Substance use or addiction
• Self-harm
• Sexual violence or innuendo
• Any material that could evoke fear, shame, or confusion in a Young performer

We propose the use of a YPS in all instances where there is a risk of traumatising or wounding a minor on set.

Is the Young Performer Support Specialist an Intimacy Coordinator?

No, the YPS is not an Intimacy Coordinator, but rather a specialist in minor acting and trauma defusion, adjacent to the IC. Much like an IC, the YPS is a third party on set.

In instances where trauma or intimacy relates to sex, sexuality and nudity, the YPS will collaborate with an IC to ensure optimal protection for everyone involved in creating these scenes. There are strict rules and laws surrounding minors in regards to sexuality and nudity. These rules differ globally. With a finger on the pulse of these restrictions, the IC and YPS, in tandem, bring the necessary knowledge and skills to facilitate a safe set.

Can a chaperone work as a Young Performer Support Specialist?

A Young Performer Support Specialist, like an Intimacy Coordinator, approaches the production from a story lead perspective working closely with the actors, the directors and their parents/guardians.  The YPS finds a balance between creating and maintaining a safe/brave space for the child to work, while assisting them on delivering the performance that the director needs to tell the story.

If a chaperone has a background in acting, performance coaching or similar, then up skilling to become a YPS might be possible.  Please do reach out to the Safe Sets team if you would like to learn more about the role.

It is not the Young Performer Support Specialist's role to monitor working time, education, meal breaks etc. on set, an appropriately qualified Chaperone or Child Minder should fulfil these duties.  The YPS does have a duty of care however, and would flag if they felt there were any issues arising on set if these needs weren't being met.