Welcome to the set
The first time you walk on to a film or television set can be both exciting and scary and is most definitely overwhelming.
The good news is that it is also a very enjoyable experience and you can learn a lot about your craft in a short time. You may feel lost in the endless flurry of people running around but never fear, there is some sense of order amidst this seeming chaos. We have put together some do's & don'ts. |
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WHEN YOU FIRST TURN UP…
If you were hired as an actor or an extra, the first necessity is to find the person you should report to. If you found the job through a casting agency, they may have a representative present on the set to help you along but you should sort this out with your agent prior to turning up. Irresepective of your situation, you are usually required to report to either the 2nd or 3rd Assistant Director. These people are typically very prominent so you should be able to find them easily enough.
The Assistant Director/s will tell you everything on a need to know basis. Initially, they will give you a brief outline of the shooting schedule, and when and where you will be required for scenes. They will point you to an area where you can relax, have a coffee, play cards etc…Most importantly, MAKE SURE YOU ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE – There is nothing worse than missing your scene and making everyone wait. Not only does it make you look unprofessional, but unless you have a major part there will be no hesitation from the crew in replacing you. Your fellow actors are usually very nice people, but don’t be fooled – they will jump at the chance for extra screen time.
DURING THE DAY…
If you have a small role, or are an extra, be prepared for long waits throughout the day. Quite often, you can spend 3 or 4 hours sitting around, for every 2 minutes of film shot. Take these opportunities to talk to other actors and crew members, but remember this important rule – Do not hassle anyone who looks busy. Some good people to talk to are the costume and makeup people. They have the opportunity to talk to everyone acting in the production and can help allay your fears and offer advice. Approaching the crew members (on their coffee breaks) is also helpful, as they can give you insight and tips about the technical side of the production which can improve your acting technique.
If you know that you have a scene coming up within the next hour or so, make sure that you are prepared for it – ensure that all your costumes and props are at hand, and go over your lines a few times. The extras are usually all located in the one area so you will have plenty of people around to help you with your lines and offer advice.
AT THE END OF THE DAY…
The people you have worked with today you will probably work with again. If you have been networking throughout the day, you may find people (both cast and crew) who have knowledge of other potential projects that you could get involved in. Get the details of such projects and maybe the phone numbers of the contact people - The old adage "It's not what you know, it's who you know" is very pertinent in the world of acting. The more people you know, the more jobs you will find opening up for you.
In summary, don’t bug anyone who doesn't look like they want to be bugged, learn as much as you can, make some friends and most importantly,
HAVE FUN! |
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