Once you book we will give you your wardrobe, shoot and outside dates…
Production will contact you directly (hence the importance of filling out casting forms properly, this is where they will get most of the information from) and give you information for your wardrobe (time, place, what you need to bring if anything) as well as for your call time(where and when you need to be on set). This can sometimes be the night before you are working as late as 10pm. If you have not heard by 10pm, please call your agent so we can get you further information.
1. BE EARLY!! Show up 10 min. early (minimum) for everything – auditions and for bookings on set. Once you are on set, scripts can change and they may need you to be aware of changes, better safe than sorry.
2. KNOW YOUR LINES—Seems obvious enough but please be sure you know your lines before you show up to set.
3. ZERO TALKING ON SET—If you are close enough to see ANY cameras OR lights then you are close enough to be picked up on the sound equipment. If you meet a friend on set, hold back the urge to chat until you break for lunch. If you must pass along information keep your mouth tight shut while the cast & crew are shooting and whisper during the break in between. It sounds simple but many people forget. Remember that a 5 min delay costs thousands of dollars – every person on set is getting paid a min of 50$ an hour that’s about 1$ per min. ad up by an average hundred people for a 5 min wasted shot that’s 410$ you have cost the production in wages only. Add in the rental cost of equipment & location and you have wasted $3000.00. So, speak quietly at all times and be silent during the points where film is rolling.
4. KNOW YOUR PLACE—There is an unofficial but definite structure and hierarchy on set. Generally you do not approach the producers/directors/DOP (Director of Photography) unless they approach you first. It is a real temptation to do so in order to promote yourself, but it will give you a bad reputation which translates into no being booked again . Try smiling, staying positive and doing a great job of acting that is the BEST way of being noticed! Be professional and respectful and it will pay off tenfold! PARENTS - Be aware of this in particular… there is a reason that “Stage Parent” is a negative term. Your job is to be there but to be as unobtrusive as possible. You need to be able to see and hear the child on set (Perhaps try to find a place to stand behind the TV screens, or beside one of the lights- you will be less in the way than if you try to squeeze on a teeny set crowded with equipment, crew & actors.) You need to be aware of your child’s needs and bring them up politely if need be. The crew all have other jobs and they may miss essentials. For example…ensure your child gets to the bathroom before heading to set as some children are afraid to admit they have to “go” once they are on set since there are a lot of people standing around looking at them (you may need to check with them quietly if they’ve been on set for a while).
5. BE AWARE & PREPARED—The production will provide you with a breakdown of what shots they are doing that day and a copy of the scenes. Take the time in the trailer or while in makeup to familiarize yourself with the shot sequence and lines so that you have an idea of when you will be shooting that day and your lines are memorized by the time you are called to set.
6. BE CHEERFUL—Set is often outside and conditions aren’t always optimal. The production does its best, but cramped/cold/hot/mucky are often the norm. If you wanted predictability and comfort you should be working in an office. The 3rd A.D. (Third Assistant Director) is very important to the actors as they are in charge of the area where the trailers and trucks parked off of the set- generally this is the wardrobe truck, the makeup truck, and the actor trailers as well as the honeywagon (what they call the portable toilets…) and is the place where actors spend most of their time. They are also the people
managing the transport and are the people you should go to if you need anything or if you are running into a problem on set. If you don’t receive a helpful response from the 3rd AD you should call your agent. They will be able to help you sort out what is going on and mediate the issue.
7. PAYMENT—You will be paid when the agency receives payment, this can vary on a per job basis. Please be sure to keep the receipts issued to you at this time as you will need this for you income taxes at the end of the year. We will not be providing you with T4’s (unless we are forwarding them off from production) or a list of your commissions, it is your responsibility to keep these records.