I would recommend your child only work on projects that require a valid work permit. Getting a work permit is pretty simple. Go to the site listed below and print out an application.
Here is the law for the state of California and short films don’t fall in the “limited circumstances” category:
Except in limited circumstances defined in law and summarized below, all minors under 18 years of age employed in the state of California must have a permit to work [EC 49160; LC 1299]. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act also requires a certificate of age for working minors. The state Permit to Employ and Work (”Permit”) is accepted as the federal certificate of age [29 CFR 570.9]. The minor’s school issues Permits to Employ and Work. [EC 49110, 49112, 49113, 49116].
Employers must have a Permit to Employ and Work on file and available for inspection by school and labor officials at all times [LC 1299, EC 49161 and 49164]. Permits to Employ and Work are issued on the same form. Permits are always required, even when school is not in session. Permits are issued for specific employment at a specified address [EC 49115 and 49163]. Permits contain the maximum number of hours a minor may work in a day and week, the range of hours during the day that a minor may work, any occupational limitations, and any additional restrictions imposed at the school’s discretion.
Permits may not be issued that violate any provision of law [EC 49164]. Thus, all restrictions on minimum ages for employment in various occupations and all work hour restrictions must be strictly followed (See Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this digest). Neither school nor labor officials are empowered to waive, at any time or under any circumstances, any minimum labor standard established by law or regulation.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DLSE-CL.htm
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