As an actor and teacher of modern day and age medium-film & Tv

Unlike the old days when you could take all morning to getting back into your character or building up the anger;  we don't have that kind of time or patients.  As an actor of modern day and not in the theatre of acting, I know that if I am going to work in TV and FILM, then I need to be able to access my emotions quickly, and in a controlled way because of filming.   In that case, I can't use past events or issues that I myself have not dealt with because their is no control.  We must be able to move on to the next scene.  I don't mind if you stay in character all day, but you need to be able to control your emotions.  If we loose you for 20 minutes because you brought up an issues for you and can't stop crying; then you just cost production a crap load of money. If your in a play or in class, then yes feel free to ball your eyes out because if its going to let you deal with it in class instead of on set then by all means let it out.  Class is a free space to try anything, if you never fail horribly then you haven't taken enough risk to be great!

Preparation on set.(The Ledge)

On set today in Baton Rouge for a movie called "THE LEDGE" starring Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson and Chris Gorham, who is playing my boyfriend in the film.  I play a character named Frank.

As preparation when you are on set. You will always check in with one of the AD's and they will give you a quick idea of how the day is going to run.  Then, depending on your budget of coarse you will get a trailer and your sides for the day.  It is always great to look over the sides that are being filmed just incase something may have changed last minute, which happens often.  Your character work should be done and so should any breakdown of the script, scene, etc.  The only thing you have to worry about is your egg white omelet with spinach and turkey.  Not pointing any fingers, but someone forgot to add my TURKEY!

You will go through wardrobe, hair and make-up and then most likely have a whole lot of time to "hurry up and wait".  This business is always in a hurry, but as an actor you will have down time between shots during which you should always be ready to go in a seconds notice.   Earlier I said that things can change at a moments notice, which brings me to this.  Always know your scenes really well, not necessarily your dialogue, but know your moment before, your object, and where you are coming from.  The scope of the scene is more important than the lines because the director may decide to change something on set, or heaven forbid one of your co-stars says the wrong line.  Don't worry, it happens.  This is film, all you have to do is shoot another take.

Time to get prepared.