Regulating Performances by Children
We have been assisting BBC Cymru/Wales in their dealings with local education authorities in Wales on the effective licensing of performances by children. We have prepared and circulated a set of industry guidelines and are currently participating in seminars on the subject at various regional centres including the BBC Studios in Llandaff and the Barcud Derwen Studios in Caernarfon. The initiative follows a notable recent increase in the number of applications prompted by the demands of certain programme strands. It also coincides with much press comment and general media interest in programmes such as “Bringing up Baby” and “The Baby Borrowers” and separate concerns about both the administrative burden upon authorities and producers and the need for greater consistency in the application of the relevant rules. Campaigns have also been launched by various stage schools amidst claims that youngsters have been prevented from breaking into the industry because of serious flaws in the current legislation. Much of the debate relates to the meaning of the word “performance” and whether or not licences are required in particular circumstances and the need to keep pace with developing genres in programme making.
For further information please contact Hannah Woodthorpe.
