The allure of acting often conjures images of red carpets, adoring fans, and a life of luxury. While that may be the perception, the reality for most actors is a far cry from glamour. The profession demands hard work, long hours, and a hefty dose of patience. Let’s pull back the curtain and examine a typical day on the set of a major motion picture.
The alarm blares at 5:30 AM. A 7:00 AM call time in Pasadena looms, and navigating the notorious Los Angeles traffic requires an early start. Forget chauffeured limos; it’s your own car for the commute. Once you arrive and park, a teamster directs you to the film set. Checking in with the second director is followed by a quick breakfast line at the food truck – no gourmet meals here.
Before you’ve even finished your bagel, a wardrobe assistant appears, needing to measure you for a jacket selected for your scene. A fitting is swiftly followed by a trip to makeup. An hour later, you emerge from the makeup trailer, sporting strategically placed toilet paper to protect your costume. It’s finally time to head to set.
The director, crew, lighting, and camera teams are already in place, preparing the scene. A quick chat with the director reveals revisions to the lines you painstakingly memorized the previous night. A few rehearsals ensue, interspersed with lighting adjustments and other preparations, granting you precious minutes to master the new dialogue. Your trailer, while a welcome respite, is more akin to a walk-in closet.
Twenty minutes later, a production assistant summons you back to the set. The tissue paper is removed, and you take your mark. The scene unfolds: your co-star delivers their lines, followed by your own. Suddenly, the director yells, “Cut!” A faulty light necessitates a reset. The gaffer replaces the bulb, and the scene restarts. Multiple takes from various angles are filmed, the best of which will be chosen in the editing room.
Perhaps two shots are completed before a set change is required for the next scene. There are no cheers or applause, maybe a simple “nice job” from the director. The remaining time is spent waiting.
The truth about acting is that only a fraction of the time involves actual performance. The vast majority is consumed by waiting for set changes and other logistical necessities. Unless you have a major role, bring a deck of cards to stave off boredom.
Lunch arrives around noon, followed by perhaps another scene before receiving your call sheet for the following day’s shoot. You’re done for the day and head home.
It’s not always glamorous. Yet, when the film is released and you witness how the seemingly mundane moments have been transformed into something captivating, it’s a rewarding experience. Knowing that audiences worldwide will witness your performance, that is a key part of what fuels the passion for acting.