Every actor’s goal is to work on big-budget films and network television shows. When you achieve this for the first time, there will inevitably be a superstar attached to the project. For many, their first time on set with a superstar goes smoothly and memorably. For others, the same can’t be said. Whether it’s age, arrogance, ignorance (or a combination of all), I’ve seen first-timers ruin these projects.
Since I would hate for this to be anything but the greatest experience of your blossoming career, here are a few tips from me to you.
1. Be professional.
This should be a given, but is too often violated. If you want to be taken seriously, then you have to take every acting opportunity just as seriously. When you’re hired to appear in a project with a superstar attached, everyone involved will expect you to be as professional as the number one person on the call sheet. Why not mirror the professional example, or even take it further?
There’s an old mantra that goes, “If you’re on time, you’re late.” If my call time is 6:30 a.m., I arrive by 6:15. If wardrobe asks me to bring in three outfit choices, I’m bringing four.
2. Be prepared.
Again, this is self-explanatory, but it cannot be overstated. On a project with a superstar attached, everything is magnified: the budget, the expectations, the stress level. But you still only get one shot at a first impression. Your goal as an actor is to give the best performance possible, especially since every acting gig is an audition for future work.
So be sure to know your lines. If you only have one, give it the same importance the writer did when they wrote it. Take the time to create a backstory for your character. The more you flesh out your character, the more authentic your performance will be.
READ: The 1 Trait All Mega-Successful Actors Possess
3. Watch and learn.
All superstars share the same traits that got them to that level of their career. Some of those include work ethic, focus, and preparation. When I was on the set with Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington, I made it a point to study everything they did. I watched how they carried themselves on set, got in and out of character between takes, and the subtleties they brought to their performances, all of which I was able to then apply to my own career,
Take full advantage of the paid mentorship opportunity that you have been granted while on the set.
4. Don’t overshare.
In this era of social media, be careful not to cross any boundaries when it comes to posting. Most productions want to keep the process as private as possible, so make sure you adhere to their rules. You can usually post from inside your dressing room or trailer, but I would caution that you still be careful. And NEVER share photos or quotes from the star unless you’ve been given explicit permission.
Crossing this line could cost you a job, your relationship with the casting office, and possibly even your agent. A friend of mine was recently on set with quite a few superstars when she posted a selfie with one of the celebrities in the background. Unbeknownst to her, the production had someone whose sole job was to monitor social media for any posts from their set. She was found and fired immediately. Don’t let this happen to you.
5. Have fun.
Whether it’s the ninth time you have to cry on demand, standing in freezing water from a rain machine or working a fourteen-hour day, you should enjoy any time you get the chance to work in your chosen profession, particularly when working with a star from which you can learn.
You’ve put in thousands of hours preparing for this, so it would be a disservice to not have fun with it. Plus, being an enjoyable part of the production makes you memorable. Maybe you’ll strike up a long-lasting friendship with one of the superstars. And that’s something you can post on social media.
If you're ready to get on set, check out our film audition listings!
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and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
