HOW IT WORKS
Working on Set
It’s the big day! Find out what to expect when working on set.
When you first arrive on set, someone will be there to check you in and tell you where to go. If production are providing hair and makeup, you’ll be directed to the dressing area. If it’s a day shoot, you may also be given breakfast. Please always follow the directions of the assistant director and other production crew.
You’ll likely be moved to a holding area before the shoot starts and in between takes and scenes. Make sure you stay where you are meant to be as you may be needed at short notice and production may not be willing to search for you.
Once the director is on set and has had a morning briefing, the actors will generally start ‘blocking’ (rehearsing a scene in the location where it will be shot). The director and the crew will watch the scene being rehearsed so that they can see where the actors and supporting artists will be positioned, and the camera, lighting and sound crew will practice shots to avoid making mistakes when filming begins. You may need to rehearse the scene multiple times before filming begins.
Most of the time you’ll be booked as a supporting artist, but you may also be booked in a different background role such as a walk-on, stand-in or double. Be sure to listen to the director or assistant director and follow their instructions carefully.
Find out more about the different types of supporting artist →
When the director or assistant director is ready to start filming, they’ll announce a ‘rolling call’ which indicates that filming is about to begin and everyone on set should maintain silence and focus. They will then call “action,” which signals the start of the scene. You’ll have been given directions on what to do when the camera starts rolling so remember your marks and go for it!
Once a scene is complete, the director or assistant director will call “cut,” which means that filming for that take is finished. It’s unlikely that you’ll move on to the next scene straight away; depending on the production, it may take 10-15 takes to perfect a scene. If the director wants to shoot the scene again, they will shout “firsts” or “back to firsts” which means go back to your starting position.
Shooting schedules are generally structured around the need to shoot multiple scenes, as well as the needs of the principal actors, who may require time for rehearsals, makeup and discussions with the director. For supporting artists, this can mean a lot of waiting around on set or in the holding rooms, but you can generally pass the time between takes by reading or talking to your fellow supporting artists.
Depending on the shoot, meals may be provided on set. If not, you’ll often be given a meal allowance which will be an additional payment added to your chit. Additional penalties might apply if your meal break is late or cut short.
Wrap means the end of your shoot day. The production team logs your finish time, plus any fees or penalties you're owed, on your digital chit.
At the end of the shoot, the production team will wrap you, recording your finish time plus any other fees and penalties you’re owed so that you can be paid correctly. If you are due a fee or penalty (for example, if you had a haircut), it’s a good idea to flag this with the assistant director when they wrap you if you’re able to. This information will all be available to you to review on your digital chit in the Job Review tab of your profile.
Once wrapped, you can make your way home, either via your own means or using the transport provided by production. Congratulations on a hard day’s work!
Everything you need to know
There’s a lot to know about working as a supporting artist. Our Support page has detailed FAQs covering everything from signing up and managing your profile to preparing to work and getting paid.