By Angela Peters
Yep, that’s what I see. They’re all over the place. A bunch of actors running around playing games and yahooing like cowboys, with the other half being chiefs instead of Indians. It’s interesting to see but it really does sadden me a little. I know the moment it happens that the director is thinking, there’s a reason I don’t go with unknowns, or there’s a reason I didn’t use x, y or z last time.
When you turn up on set, you have one single job. That single job is to do the best possible job you can with the script you’ve been given by being truthful to your character, circumstances and lines. It’s about bringing that character off the page in a believable, beautiful way that will affect your audience. And when you are on set running around carrying on like a pork chop (Australian term) in a gesture that screams “Cowboy” you are basically setting yourself up to fail. Acting doesn’t need to be that difficult. I mean really. We get to have fun every day portraying someone else. So why the silly nonsense.
Lets go back one step so I can elaborate on what it’s like to be a “Cowboy”. The yahooing crazy town cowboy is the kind of kid who isn’t focusing on the job at hand (you know – to act). They’re out there masquerading as an actor but they are really someone who would rather be down at the pub with bragging rights about how they’re doing a movie or short film so they can hear the oohs and ahhs from their peers.
DON’T arrive late – by doing so you potentially hold up another 10-20 professionals (even more on bigger sets) and waste valuable money, resources and time. You are not more important than your other 20 co-workers who decided to plan their day properly.
DON’T ask for food – if your call time is not at a typically assumed “breakfast”, “lunch” or “dinner” break then eat before you arrive. There are two reasons for this. They may be running late (often) and they may not have planned on stopping at the time you decide you are hungry.
DON’T decide to play director (you aren’t supposed to be the Chief) – If you want a career as a director, then go out and forage for those roles the same way other directors do. If you want to act, then learn to take direction IMMEDIATELY. Any time you have thoughts about the direction of the film it is a good idea to discuss these prior to shooting day. Directors are not ogres. They are often open to actors asking questions, sometimes even making valid suggestions about alternative ways to do something. But on set is NOT the place to make these points heard. On set is the place to listen, nod and act. And if you can’t do that then maybe a career in theatre management, ticket sales, becoming a sales assistant or some other area where you can tell people what to do is more suited. I am deadly serious!You should do this:
- Know your lines – I know right… Can you believe I even need to say this. Don’t get on set without being all over those lines, having made strong character choices and knowing what you’re supposed to wear or how to have your hair. As a matter of fact, the same applies even for workshops. It is your chance to shine. Why spend all that money on attending Casting Director workshops if you aren’t actually going to learn your lines and show your potential to shine. It is highly likely that they are sitting there thinking ‘well if she can’t learn her lines for a workshop, how will she be on set’.
- Be an angel – this is your chance to shine. When you do a good job on set they’ll remember you, they might even call you again about a future job, and they’ll certainly speak highly of you. Word of mouth is everything in this industry. And don’t be fooled that people won’t know you were a diva. Everyone knows everyone.
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