Hello everyone!
I just booked my first commercial today, and we are filming later this week. I'm very new to the biz and am just wondering what to expect. Thanks everyone!

Congrats! If you don't mind me asking what commercial is it for?

I don't live in NY, so it probably wouldn't be something your children auditioned for...and for privacy reasons, I would rather not say what it's for. I'm sorry, I just don't think my parents would approve.

Great response - very smart of you! Always be safe then sorry!

Thanks! It's scary what happens when people (especially children and teens) reveal too much on the web.

No experience here, but good luck!

Thank you both! I just got back from the fitting and all the other kids are great, so that eased my nerves a little.

You will need to bring your work permit, coogan account information, probably a copy of your birth certificate and SS card as well. At the end of the day (maybe the beginning) your mom will be asked to sign the contract and fill out the tax forms. Make sure you understand what boxes you need to check and if you have any questions about it, call your agent.
If you booked it through your agent, make sure you have their address and phone number handy. Chances are they want you to send the checks "To Performer at:" and you will need to fill in the agents address.
Don't forget to include your travel time and if you are providing the wardrobe, check off that box so you get paid for it too. Check your in and out times carefully.
Once you get there, they will likely send you to hair and make-up. Be prepared to spend a lot of time just hanging around doing a bunch of nothing until it is time for your scene to film. There will probably be a trailer for you and other people in the commercial to hang out in while you wait or somewhere at the studio. Stay out of their way unless it is your scene getting filmed. Good Luck and congratulations! May this be the first of many for you.
Make sure you dont forget to return the clothes that wardrobe provided for you.

Thank you so much for the advice!
We didn't book this through an agent, so I don't have to worry about that. The casting company has been handling paperwork so far, so I'm not quite sure what is/isn't filled out.
We're also shooting at a mall, so I'm not sure if there will be a trailer or not?
But thanks so much for telling me the specifics, I'll be sure both my parents and I are aware of travel time and such.
As for waiting around, I don't mind...like I said, I enjoy socializing with the other kids, they're a very refreshing type. I also love taking pictures, so I'll be fooling around with my camera...without the flash and far away from the filming, don't worry!

I have yet another question; driving to the job, we pass a total of 4 tolls round trip, 8 total including the fitting. We have one of those devices on our car so we don't have to stop and pay at the tolls, but instead it charges the cost of the toll automatically. Thus, we have no receipts--how can we get reimbursed without receipts, if at all? Thank you!

Um, how about just going to the regular toll booth and getting a receipt? Does your contract say you get reimbursed for travel? I don't think that's usual for a commercial.

Showbiz- RE tolls: At the end of the year, you get a statement showing your tolls paid. If needing a receipt for tax purposes, this will suffice. You may even be able to check your statement regularly online. You can then print it if needed sooner.

Thanks mom2twins! And my parents said we can go online and print receipts, like you said.
And we don't go to a regular tollbooth, CSilvera, because the traffic at the tolls can get really long and we get to the job much quicker if we use the fast lane.

Showbiznew, unless it is specified, you don't get reimbursed for tolls/travel expenses. Keep records for tax purposes though as mom2twins said.

Bring something to do with you. Class work (hah!), a book, ipod. My father-in-law uses an old army saying when describing the set--there's a whole lot of "hurry up and wait."

I'm pretty sure this is not a union job so there will probably be no reimbursement for wardrobe, travel time, travel costs, etc.

Depending on where you live will depend on what identification and other paperwork you need to provide. In CT, for example, there is no work permit but you need to bring id (like a passport) and a recent report card! If you have any questions as to what you need to bring you should ask as you don't want to lose the job because you don't have the appropriate paperwork.

Good luck and have fun!