Things to remember on your first day as an actor on a film set

Having worked in theatre you might be used to the first day on a theatre being job being a bit of a love-in! It is usually a completely welcoming experience and is there to help you to feel a part of a family, to welcome you to the team and to bond. First day on a film set always feels like you are a new kid on their first day at a new school – you will arrive to find a team who is already working brilliantly together everyone seems busy and seems to know what to do and they probably look like they don’t have time for you.

Don’t worry.

You are there for a reason and without you they won’t be able to do their jobs properly. Stop the first person you see who looks like they have a walkie-talkie (most people on film sets will be connected to each other via headsets and walkie-talkies) and introduce yourself – remember to tell them your name and the name of your character – even if it is just “Office Guy” – ask them who you should check in with.

They will send you to someone whose job it is to make sure you are ok and in the right place at the right time. You will probably be sent to catering, your trailer, or straight into hair and make-up.

That’s your first big hurdle and you’ve done it! You have arrived.

You have been hired with the expectation that you will know exactly what you are doing, so it is very rare that someone will notice you are unsure or a newbie and pull you aside to offer help and tips.

Remember that everyone had to start somewhere and all of these guys will have had a first day, so don’t feel ashamed to tell someone it is your first film acting job and to ask for help. I find that if asked people are more than happy and willing to offer you advice and share their wisdom. The important thing is that you ask.

The make-up truck* is normally the best place to open up a little and ask for any tips or advice they might have, they will offer their wisdom and also boost your own confidence, they can also point you towards the people on set who they think will be best to confide in and give you their take on the director, if he or she is they type who will rehearse with you a little or just make you do take after take.

It is very unusual to get rehearsal time on a film set. Time is money, and spending time rehearsing with actors whilst an expensive crew sit around and wait is a waste of money and resources – so be prepared to be unprepared!

Usually you will get a read-through of the scene and then a ‘rehearsal’ where you are told where to stand and given your eye lines and your marks (points you need to hit if you are to move around during the scene, these are normally marked with beanbags or coloured tape on the floor).

You might then be released whilst your stand in works with the crew. You could spend this time rehearsing those moves and your lines, but don’t presume that the actors you are acting with will want to rehearse with you, you might need to do this alone – everyone works in their own way.

If it is your first job then I would stay on set and watch the camera rehearsals to see how everything works and see who does what and how all of the crew work.

This is often the most surprising fact about filming for young actors. You will get little or no direction from the director.

The director is busy with everything else, they are solving all kinds of problems with the crew and will just expect you to do what you did in the casting room. If you are able to replicate that and be the actor who works well alone and nails it every time then you will be the actor who is called back time and time again.

As actors we are used to having sneaky little conversations with other actors, having a bitch about this and that and a moan about the other! I always think our moaning and bitching is a way to help us feel slightly superior and secure when really we are scared stiff.

A film set is not the place to bitch and moan, you can always be overheard! In fact one thing a lot of actors forget is that you are probably wearing a mic and at the other end of that mic is someone wearing cans listening to every word you are saying!

You are a tiny part of this big machine which is making a picture, don’t be remembered for being a diva – be remembered for being courteous, for being professional and for being good to work with.

Try and befriend the crew, not just the other actors. Whenever I have worked on film sets I have always preferred the company of the crew, they are usually down to earth, genuine and fun to be around. Ask about what they do and really make an effort to listen to and remember people’s names. It makes a huge difference to how you relate to each other and will actually really help with your nerves.

I always make an effort to take the call sheet or crew contact sheet with me after filming. This is a great resource for you to know who you worked with and how to get in touch with them. It is also really useful should you be invited to a wrap party or screening weeks or months later. With the call sheet you can check back through and make sure you remember who is who so there is no awkwardness when you see them again.

As an actor on a film set the most important thing to know is that you are going to be waiting around for a long time, sometimes hours. This is just how it is.

Take a book with you, your kindle, ipod or laptop – something which you can use whilst you are sitting around waiting to be called to set.

Just don’t moan – enjoy it!

Being a part of a film cast and crew is an amazing adventure, so enjoy it because it won’t be long before you are back out of work waiting for the next big adventure to come your way.