by Westwood General Employment Advisor Diana Ingle-Braley
When I was in my early 20s, I lived and worked in the Los Angeles area. My day job was working in the retail industry, but I also had a side job working as an extra and stand-in in film and television. It held all of the allure that you can imagine for a young, impressionable 20-year-old. If you are a child of the 90s, I am sure you will remember a few of the shows and pilots I got to work on: Babylon 5, Veronica’s Closet, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place and The Practice, just to name a few.
Here are some of the secrets I learned about working on the “set.”
- In addition to calling out “Lights, Camera, Action,” the sound director will also call out “Speed.” This indicates to the camera operator that the speed of the film and the speed of the recording are in sync.
- Have you ever wondered why the actor’s voices are so clear and you can hear their most intimate conversations even in a crowded, noisy room? This is because everyone who is working as a “background artist” is completely silent; they are pantomiming the scene, from their exaggerated laughter to animated conversations. The background sounds are added after filming is complete.
- How do the featured actors look so refreshed and well groomed all the time? Between almost every take, hair and makeup professionals are constantly powdering, fixing and primping the actors. As extras, we only got this attention if we were going to enter a main frame shot.
More importantly, I learned some good life lessons while working on set.
1. Don’t allow rejection to set you back.
When you are faced with rejection, you must not take it personally – many times it is because you are just not right for “the part,” or job. It is not because they did not like you as a person. The casting director or hiring manager is given a very stringent set of rules about what they are looking for. Don’t take it to heart, it’s just business. Develop a thick skin and move on to the next opportunity.
2. Know your strengths
Be confident about your own uniqueness, abilities and skills; and ultimately what you will contribute to the larger picture and final product. Many times you may be rejected, but be confident about what you have to offer and let that show through. I would often call the casting director after she said I wasn’t right and tell her why I thought I was, and she usually changed her mind. Develop the ability to sell your unique qualities and talents – there is no one else quite like you.
3. Always be professional
Finally, embrace the various personality types you will encounter on the job. While working on-set, I encountered rather large egos and equally large battles. I did not allow it to deter my dedication to the final product. I learned to take things with a grain of salt, to not be overly sensitive, and to still keep a level of professionalism – even if I encountered the opposite.
So remember: be confident, be tenacious, know your talents and strengths, and don’t let ANYONE deter you from pursuing a passion or interest. It may just be your next great adventure in life…
What career lessons have you learned from the industries you’ve worked in?