Key insights

• ⭐ A baby wrangler in Hollywood is essential to elicit specific performances from babies on screen by interpreting the director's vision.
• 👶 Crying babies in media come from casting calls and are subject to legal limits on working hours, often using twins to extend camera time.
• 🎬 Working with young actors involves special rules, such as having studio teachers and nurses on set, and making scenes engaging and fun for kids.
• 😢 Elaine Hall utilizes a special crying technique based on empathy to elicit crying from babies, as seen in the movie 'Akeelah And The Bee'.
• 🚫 Akeelah's sister, a successful baby wrangler, stresses the importance of avoiding harmful techniques and not exposing the baby's face on camera.
• 👣 Comforting techniques, including assurance of safety, using rattles, and spending time with the actor beforehand, are important when working with babies.

Q&A

• How can a baby be comforted on set?

  Babies can be comforted on set by assuring them that everything is safe, using rattles, and spending time with the actor beforehand to build a relationship. These efforts help create a comfortable and safe environment for the baby during filming.

• What are the views of Akeelah's sister on harmful techniques used for babies?

  Akeelah's sister, a successful baby wrangler, disapproves of questionable techniques like using bad odors or loud noises. She emphasizes the importance of not exposing the baby's face on camera, stressing the need to avoid harmful methods that may be damaging to the child.

• How does Elaine Hall get babies to cry on command?

  Elaine Hall uses a special crying technique that is based on empathy. This technique capitalizes on the fact that babies start to cry when they hear another baby cry. This technique was showcased in the movie 'Akeelah And The Bee.'

• What special rules are involved in working with young actors?

  When working with young actors, special rules apply, including the necessity of having a studio teacher on set with a child and a nurse for infants. Making scenes fun for kids is also important, often achieved through the use of games and funny faces to engage young actors.

• Where do crying babies in commercials, TV shows, and movies come from?

  Crying babies in media come from casting calls and are subject to legal limits on working hours. Twins are often used to play one role, extending their camera time and lessening the burden on a single baby.

• Why is hiring a baby wrangler in Hollywood necessary?

  Hiring a baby wrangler in Hollywood is necessary to help directors achieve the desired performance from young children on camera. Baby wranglers like Elaine Hall interpret what the director wants young children to do in front of the camera and have the patience to pacify crying babies.

• 00:05 Hiring a baby wrangler in Hollywood is necessary to make babies cry on command for TV and movies.
• 00:49 Crying babies in commercials, TV shows, and movies come from casting calls, and twins are often used to play one role to extend their camera time.
• 01:24 Working with young actors involves special rules, such as having studio teachers and nurses on set. Making scenes fun for kids is important.
• 01:57 Elaine uses a special crying technique to get babies to cry, based on empathy. This was also used in the movie 'Akeelah And The Bee'.
• 02:42 Akeelah's sister is a successful baby wrangler at events and disapproves of harmful techniques. She emphasizes the importance of not exposing the baby's face on camera.
• 03:23 A baby can be comforted by assuring them everything is safe, using rattles and spending time with the actor beforehand.