The reality of our Industry.

As you guys know I focus on TV and Film. That being said, the reality of our industry is that we move quick. Fast. The term we like to call it is "Hurry up and Wait." We are not shooting a play, so you can not take 20 minutes to prepare for a scene then 15 minutes after to get ready to reset and shoot that scene again. Our preparation as actors should be done at home before we even get to the set. Methods devised specifically for the stage that have you using a Sense or emotional memory that you have not dealt with yourself is not going to be sufficient. We need you to be able to control your emotions so that we can reset and shoot that same exact scene over again. A percent of an actors job is knowing your industry. The circumstances of the actor must eventually be left at the trailer. If you are using a emotional memory that you have no control of then you can not do that. Before you hear action you must be living in your characters circumstances.. The Craft has been devised to do away with itself..

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.