Children at the Emmys: The little stars making it big

Los Angeles : From sci-fi horror series "Stranger Things" to drama "Big Little Lies" and sitcom "black-ish," one notable feature of many contenders for this weekend's Emmy Awards is that they star children. 

Unlike the elaborate riders sometimes specified by their adult counterparts, these pint-sized thespians have more mundane requirements -- time for homework, regular breaks and the odd afternoon nap. 

"They are not trained actors like adults, but the kids that get the roles have an inherent ability," said casting director Amanda Lenker Doyle, who worked on "black-ish."

"They have the charisma, the willingness to dive into a role. They listen well... They're very smart."

Child actors sometimes arrive at auditions better prepared than adults and with scripts memorized from top to bottom, despite not yet being able to read. 

While the maxim "never work with children or animals" is clearly not worth heeding, there are of course challenges to hiring youngsters for TV or film. 

"With children I'm dealing with the family dynamics, the family politics. It's a lot about the parents," talent manager Jason MacRay told AFP.

MacRay says he will turn a young actor away -- even a kid with clear talent -- if the parents don't give off the right vibe.

"I can just tell it'll be a disaster dealing with mum or dad or both, particularly if they don't agree," he said.