The shooting process will vary slightly from production to production and present different challenges. But the one element they share, be it multi-camera studio or single camera location, is the waiting. It’s hardly surprising actors have a reputation for story swapping, it helps pass the time! However, as actors spend the day unable to fully relax, in a permanent state of standby ready for ‘Action’, the waiting can be strangely tiring.
The average shooting day is long and even though a finished shot on screen lasts seconds, setting up a shot and lighting it takes hours. If the sequence involves stunts, special-effects, animals or supporting artistes, it can take several days. For the actor, this means intense moments of concentrated activity (lasting minutes) followed by long periods of waiting (lasting hours). This balance between being relaxed, yet at the same time remaining focused and energised, can be difficult to get. Then, when things fall behind schedule (which inevitably they do), the pressure to get it right intensifies making it even harder to relax.
A small role in an episode of a long running television programme, can often be far more nerve racking than a larger role. I’ve often seen actor’s sitting around all day waiting to do a few lines, only to discover their little scene is to be covered in one shot and it’s to be the last shot of the day. The director knows the crew (who have been flat out all day) must finish on time as there’s no money in the budget for overtime and a good 1st AD won’t be shy at reminding the director of this. So with only 10 minutes to get the scene in the can, you’re frantically called to the set (not a good moment to leave a jacket or prop in your dressing room!), you’re introduced to the 1st AD (the person responsible for keeping the director on schedule), do a rough block with the director, followed by final make-up and wardrobe checks, then someone screams turn over, the board is read out and the director yells ‘Action’. Suddenly, with all eyes on you (not to mention a camera), the pressure to get it right first time is enormous. This kind of scenario may sound extreme but every actor will experience it.
Every production will be slightly different but the countdown to a standard Shoot (if such a thing exists) will probably be as follows……
Firstly the audition, remember getting one is an achievement in itself. So make the most of it as it’s hard to get seen for TV and Films, and even if you don’t land this job it may lead to other jobs. Nearly all castings are handled by a casting director who liases with the agents and assembles various actors to meet the director. These castings are more like an interview than an audition, involving a brief chat followed by a reading. Arrive early as you may find a couple of pages waiting for you at reception. Don’t be surprised if you only get to read the scene a couple of times that’s quite normal and the casting director usually reads the other roles. It will probably be filmed and may only last ten minutes or so.
Having been cast you’ll be sent a script (possibly a revised draft) and a schedule, read them both carefully. The schedule is an important document and should be able to answer any questions. At the very least the schedule will contain a call sheet with details of where you need to be and when. However, most are far more detailed with cast lists, crew lists, phone numbers, maps, directions to locations, travel arrangements, health and safety regulations, etc.. Check your contact details are correct and that the dates on the schedule are the dates you were booked for. It’s rare they’re wrong but it’s always best to check as you may start work before your contract arrives. Your agent would have the original booking dates from when the company first checked your availability.
Next you’ll receive several phone calls; firstly, from the 2nd AD or a production assistant confirming your call. If you have any questions that the schedule can’t answer, this is the time to ask. For instance, if by this stage you’ve not received a script, mention it. They listed me as the wrong character on a schedule once and when I mentioned it to the 2nd AD, it turned out some of the lines and my character’s name had been changed. Nobody had told me and I had learnt the wrong role, luckily I still had time to learn the right role!
Next you’ll probably get calls from someone in the Costume and Make-up departments. Depending on the scale of the production they may arrange fittings and make-up tests. Either way, make sure you know all your measurements for Costume including hat and glove sizes. Incidentally, it’s common in TV that you don’t try on your costume until you arrive for the shoot. So give them your real sizes not the sizes you wish to be! Also, if your hair is different to your spotlight photo, tell them as they might be making decisions based on it.
While waiting for your shooting day to come around, work on your script, familiarise yourself with the lines and characters. Any work you do at home that better prepares you before the shoot, could prove useful especially as less and less time is allocated for rehearsing on Set. Don’t forget to work on the standby scenes too; these are scenes that are held in reserve in case the schedule is changed at the last minute. They’ll be on the call sheet listed as standby scenes or wet weather scenes.
You’ll probably then hear nothing until a day or two before you start, when they’ll ring to confirm your call.
When you arrive at the unit base, the first person you’ll meet will most likely be the 2nd AD who amongst other things is responsible for your whereabouts during the shoot. Make sure they or someone else knows where you are at all times. 2nd AD’s are full of wandering-actor-stories bringing shoot’s to a grinding halt because they decided to look round a location. Remember, you’ll end up looking foolish but the 2nd AD gets the blame.
Having arrived at the unit base or the studios, provided the shoot is running to schedule, you’ll be shown to a dressing room or green room. If the schedule has been changed (it often is) you’ll be taken straight to costume and make-up. If on location the unit base will either be a building or various trailers and trucks. You’ll probably be left on your own as most people will be shooting somewhere else, but there may be other actors around (and if on location, catering people and various drivers). However, at some point you’ll be collected and taken to Costume and Make-up.
First thing in the morning these places are a hive of activity, so look out for the other actors in your first scene that day. The chances are some of them will be in make-up at the same time as you.
Depending on the size of the production, you may have your own make-up artist and your own dresser who will be responsible for your costumes. As you will end up spending a lot of time with these people, they’ll be a large factor towards your enjoyment of the shoot. I know one director who judges the mood of his cast and crew, by the atmosphere in the wardrobe, Make-up and catering trailers.
Once you are in costume and have been to make-up, you’ll probably get sent back to your dressing room or trailer. Depending on how well they are sticking to the schedule, will determine how long you spend waiting to be called to the set. How you pass the time is up to you and every actor I’ve met has their own way, (I know one actor who even used to spend his time trying to write sitcom scripts and ended up becoming a very successful writer). Some actors (but not all!) like to get together and run lines which is great if you are inexperienced as it can help calm the nerves. However, the important thing to remember is that you have to be ready so that whenever you are called to the set, you are able to do the best you can when the director yells action.
Every actor knows that work generates work. So no matter how small your role is, never forget you’ve been given an opportunity that many other actors would relish. I can’t think of a more exciting place than a film set full of talented technicians and actors, who are all pulling together to create something. So make the most of it and enjoy it, because if you’re lucky, you can work in some amazing places with some incredibly talented people.
Edward Hicks
(This extract from the Actor’s Year book is printed with permission of AC& Black, the author and contributor. The latest edition of the Actor’s Year book is now available.)