ActorNation

Going Indie? - Phase II: The Rehearsals & The ShootBy Holdon Log, LLC(Note: This article is Part Two of a Three Part Series. Please click here if you missed Part One.) If the production you are cast in has pre-production meetings with the cast, why not offer to get involved? Roll up your sleeves and offer some creative and business input when you feel it is appropriate. Consider helping out in ways that will assist you in getting to meet and know the others involved behind and in front of the camera. Helping the production in being organized is one great way to break the ice and show you are a professional!
Is there a Table Read?Then offer to help with picking up snacks or volunteer to assist in assembling the Contact List of Phone Numbers, E-Mail/Mailing Addresses, Character/Crew Positions, etc. Then make a spread sheet and email this out so that everyone involved with the project can get in touch with each other as needed. Also, don’t forget to add these people to your own contact database (naturally we suggest using ActorTrack where you can assign “types” to these Industry Professionals [ie. Director, Producer, Actor, etc.]). This will help you stay in touch with these new contacts and connect with them every time you have new career updates and highlights you wish to promote.Is there a Role that has not yet been cast?Then ask yourself if there is an actor that you personally know, with whom you have either worked with or whose work you respect, that you could recommend to the project? Referring your acting peers to projects in not just a courteous thing to do but it is an act that usually finds the favor being returned in the future.
When getting ready to shoot or go on stage, are you prepared?You never know when someone else might have forgotten something to bring to the set, and it is great to be able to offer a hand.Here are some suggestions on what to pack:• a sewing kit• other wardrobe choices in the event that you clash with the background, with another actor or that you blend in too much • a blow dryer • a bath towel • your own makeup supplies whether you are a man or a woman at a minimum youshould have concealer, foundation and powder that matches your skin tone • a bathrobe or a jacket to keep warm • an iron or steamer • a selection of toiletries (deodorant & toothpaste is a must!)• a plastic bag to put dirty or soiled clothes and shoes
Will there be ‘Craft Service’ or ‘Lack of Service’ on set?You may have been promised “Meals Provided” when you agreed to do the indie project, but did they really think providing you a bag of barbeque potato chips and a glass of tap water would do the trick?! As many of you know, this scenario does occur all too often. Don’t suffer on set! Pack preferred snacks, perhaps keep a little cooler filled with goodies close by in the event that craft services are bleak. This way, your energy and comfort will be taken care of so that you can deliver a great performance.
Did you get a Call Sheet?When you arrive on set, get a Call Sheet as soon as you can. Most likely one of the PA’s will have a copy just for you. If not, ask for one! This is very important as you need to keep this for your records. It’s vital to know what the plan for the day is. Is your scene up first? Do you need to get to hair and make-up right away...or does one of your fellow actors need to be there first? If the latter, be considerate of everyone’s time and have patience. In addition, don’t forget to add any new contacts from the Call Sheet to your ActorTrack Contacts Section. Keep the Call Sheet with your Contract and file for your records.
A picture is worth a thousand words – even if you only have 5 lines...Pictures of you working on set are a great tool to use in order to create Career Buzz! Creating Career Buzz requires you to do such things as submit your on-set pictures to:• local newspapers• other print and television media outlets (with a press release)• IMDb.com• your own Web site
However, indie projects may not have it in their budget to hire an on-set photographer to document your scenes, much less the project. For this reason, you might want to also pack a digital or disposable camera. If you notice that there’s no still photographer on set, ask if it’s ok to have someone take a few posed photos of your scene. Then offer to email photos to the others in your scenes and to the production company.
Finished for the day...now what?Before you finish your day on the set, if you aren’t in the way of another shot, be sure to go around and thank everyone you’ve met and worked with. Feel free to also offer them your business card. We suggest using a business card with your headshot on the front. This will help folks with remembering your face with your name. We are big fans of PocketHeadshots…(for more info on these inventive and attractive business cards check out www.PocketHeadshots.com and don't forget to ask for your Holdon Log discount!)
‘Copy, Credit, Meals Provided’...really??So many times when working on Indie or student projects the talent is forgotten when it comes to the “Copy” part of “Copy, Credit, Meals Provided”.
To serve as a reminder we suggest using this 'COPY PROVIDED' AGREEMENT FORM. Feel free to make additional copies and bring them to the set to give to your other cast members. You are sure to be appreciated!