More:Being On Set

(continued from home page)
Each actor has their own style of preparing and of what they need from their environment. Some want it very quiet in the mornings and some want loud high energy music. The make-up people need to find out what each key actor wants and adjust to it.

To work on a set you need energy – you work grueling 12 to 20 hour days, sometimes 7 days a week. Those who make it are upbeat and pleasant. They dress conservatively – no distracting boobs or cracks. No jangling jewelry. soft soled shoes. Dark tone clothing that won’t reflect light strangely or distract the camera people.

Hoping to gaze at your favorite actor working? Don’t even think it! A really big no-no on a professional set is making eye contact with the actor – or even looking at him/her!- during a shot. The safest thing is to hide in a corner, turning to face the wall. For realsies!!! Turns out you’re often in a small space with lots of other people around, and the actor is often acting to blue screen. He has to keep the whole thing in his head and stay focused. Having you staring can be distracting. There is a clip on the ‘net from Star Trek 2009 of Spock in front of the Vulcan Science Academy. This clip shows the setting up of the shot. Zachary Quinto as Spock nods briefly to the assistant to show he’s ready – and it’s clear he’s already fully Spock, focused inwardly.