* Wide Range of Factors: A child actor's pay is determined by a number of factors, including:
* Experience: A seasoned child actor with a strong resume will earn significantly more than a newcomer.
* Role Importance: A lead role will pay much more than a smaller, supporting part.
* Film Budget: Big-budget movies can afford to pay more for talent than smaller, independent films.
* Negotiation Skills: The child's agent and the production company will negotiate the final salary.
* Union Membership: Child actors in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) have minimum wage standards that can influence their pay.
* Legally Protected: Due to child labor laws, a significant portion of a child actor's earnings is typically put into a trust fund that they can access once they reach adulthood.
General Trends:
* Starting Salaries: New child actors might earn a few hundred dollars per day for smaller roles.
* Established Actors: Highly successful child actors with major roles can earn tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars per movie.
It's important to remember that:
* Child actors' pay is just one part of the compensation package. They might also receive benefits like health insurance and travel expenses.
* The focus should be on the opportunity and the experience gained, rather than solely on the financial reward.
If you are interested in learning more about child actor pay, you can find information on websites like the Screen Actors Guild website and industry publications.