The following Career Dispatch essay was written by Lou Llobell, who leads and narrates the Apple TV+ series “Foundation.” The Season 1 finale streams Nov. 19.
I feel very lucky to have had the upbringing I did with parents who supported my acting dreams. But growing up in a small town in the South African midlands meant they were just that—dreams—and they seemed unreachable.
After finishing high school, my parents encouraged me to apply to study drama in the U.K. Following the completion of my bachelor’s degree, they encouraged me again, this time to get my master’s in screen acting. Studying and training definitely molded me into the actor I am today, but it was all the little jobs I did, such as commercials and background work, that taught me about being on a set. Here’s what I have learned from these gigs that should help any type of actor who is stepping on a TV set.
13 Steps to Preparing For a Great TV AuditionStudy other actors.
Watching professional actors from a distance taught me about the parts of acting that aren’t about becoming a character, such as how to hit a mark, understanding lenses so you know when it’s a wide shot or close-up, being able to angle yourself toward the camera, and deciding where to look.
Get to know crew members and other people on set.
I was able to observe how professional actors interacted with each other and the crew. Being approachable and kind to your colleagues is part of your job; the other part is being technically aware. The crew is the reason we actors are able to do our work; having good relationships with them can only benefit your performance. (The members of the camera team, for example, are some of the people I’m closest to. They can tell you what the best eyeline is or what the next shot will be!)
Be adaptable to your surroundings.
Every day on set is different, and you’ve got to be adaptable to your surroundings. Sometimes the person you’re acting opposite surprises you, or maybe the blocking isn’t what you anticipated. You have to just go with it. This is as true when performing a scene as it is in real life. If you’re stuck on what you did when preparing the scene, you aren’t allowing for organic developments on the day.
READ: 1 Actor on How to Get Cast on Apple TV+
Never let self-doubt get in the way of your success.
When I first walked onto the set for “Foundation,” I felt impostor syndrome, but I had to trust that everything I had done to get to this point—from studying my castmates to building relationships with crew members—meant that I was ready. Having a lead role in a series with so many moving parts is daunting, but perseverance, lack of fear, and admiration for all of the jobs that make up a production will get you through.
This story originally appeared in the Nov. 18 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.