CMU School of Drama


Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Update: SAG 'Shocked' About 'Kid Nation'

Backstage: "The Screen Actors Guild has condemned the working conditions on the set of the CBS reality show Kid Nation, currently under investigation for violating its contract with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists."

3 comments:

Aaron S said...

It seems that the fundamental problem is not that the kids didn't have protection under a union contract, but that they were mistreated and abused in general. Yes having union representation might help with this, but the fundamental problem is the exploitation of children. Shouldn't this fall under child labor laws?

-Aaron Siebert

NorthSide said...

There are too many gaps in contracts with reality television shows for minors to be participating in them. I wonder why SAG did not raise a red flag earlier, especially when the show is pretty much about survival. I hope this starts a chain of lawsits that result in tighter contracts been reality shows and their "characters" because this has really gone on far too long.

S said...

The one line I specifically like from this article is: Amid earlier reports of concerns over the kids' treatment on location, CBS last week characterized the show as "a voluntary television experience." Most shows have become "voluntary television experiences," so does that now mean to producers that since you signed up for it, they can now do whatever they want. Someone needs to eventually set clear protection and guidelines for these reality shows. These children just wanted to be on tv, it is not right that they/their parent's could sign away rights they didn't understand.

Sarah Boyce