What if our film/tv resume isn't very deep and we still manage to convince the director that we are perfect for the part- and we then get the call from our agent that we actually got the part!?
Success! Right?
Well, yes. This is awesome! Your hard work has paid off and the moment has finally come when you can celebrate "getting the part!"
When the celebrating cools off for a minute, one thing you need to ask yourself is, "Am I really ready for this?" By that I don't mean 'are you a good actor?' Obviously you've done something right or you wouldn't have booked the part. What I mean is, there is a ton of words, jargon, paperwork, techniques and knowledge that you will now be expected to know once you get on set. Sure, some of it will come with experience on set, but there is lots of it you can learn before you get there.
If you have an agent, and you are trying to get into film/tv, here are some of the things you should be asking yourself now, before landing your first big role:
Are you extremely familiar with a callsheet? (call times, scene numbers, etc)
Do you know the various crew positions, their duties, and how they effect you as an actor? (D.P., 1st AD, 2nd AD, etc...)
Are you familiar with "eye-lines" and how they are often extremely confusing?
Do you know what "cheating" refers to in film?
Do you know how to read production reports such as a 'One Liner' and a 'DOOD'?
What about wild lines, dailies and ADRs?
Are you familiar with SAG's requirements for lunch breaks, overtime stipulations, etc...?
How much practice do you have 'walking to your mark'?
If the answer to any (or several) of these is NO, then perhaps it's time to do some research so
that you can be just as ready as your competition might be. If we were living in Los Angeles or
New York, the solution would be simple: Simply take some classes that teach all of this. After all, there are more classes offered than gas stations in those markets. In the Southeast, acting
for film classes are often hard to come by so I have a couple of recommendations for everyone.
The first is a classic, written by an incredible actor who has been working in films for decades. It is not often an actor who is STILL working in films takes the time to write a book to help young actors with their craft. But that's exactly
what Michael Caine has done. I have recommended this book for years, it is a definite must-
read. Click here to order Acting in Film by Michael Caine on Amazon.
The second is one that I read last summer when trying to help Mattie Liptak get ready for his first feature film role. He had just landed a lead role in a horror film and it required nearly 6 weeks of filming. I read several books to prepare coaching
him and ACTION by Robert Benedetti was by far
the best. It's like a textbook for film acting and should be read by ANYONE who is thinking about
pursuing acting in film in television.
Let me say it again:
ANYONE and EVERYONE
considering working in film and television should read this book.
The chapters are easy to read and, if I am not mistaken, all of the questions mentioned above are covered in length in the book. The amazon link for ACTION! Professional Acting For Film and Television is here.
I actually had a fellow pursuing actor recently say something to the effect of, "I can't stand reading- why should I read books?"
For anyone who might be asking that or something similar, I answer the question with a question: Would you let a doctor perform surgery on you if you knew that he/she hadn't read any medical books?
Now put yourself in the shoes of a film director and ask yourself if you'd hire an actor who doesn't want to do learn what is expected of him/her when they get the job.
Enjoy reading.
:)
Judd
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