What Really Happens on Set?

Part 1: Preparing for the big day

Congratulations! Your child has finally gotten a job and now you need to know everything about your day on set so that it can be a wonderful experience for both of you.

Your agent will have confirmed the job and sent you a CALL SHEET as soon as it is available to them. Some productions are very busy and cannot confirm the details until late on the day before you are required on set, but be assured that your agent will send you the necessary information as soon as they receive it.

The most important details for you to take note of are;

• your CALL TIME (the time you are required on set)
• the exact LOCATION that you need to be at (sometimes this is a building address, but it could be a park or other public place)
• the CONTACT PERSON you are required to meet on the day (eg. in the case of extras for a television show this would be the name and phone number of the 3rd AD). You will also be given details of anything you are required to bring with you and how long you are expected to be needed for.

Research the location you are required to be at before you have to leave home. Sometimes the call sheet will provide you with instructions regarding parking and other times you will need to figure it out yourself.

Productions are busy and very costly, so it is important that you arrive at the time you have been called for so not to delay the shoot time or halt production. Arriving 10-15 minutes early is appreciated, but do not show up any earlier than this. If you arrive too early at location, take the time to relax rather than turning up and risking being in the way before production is ready for you.

Spending time with your child onset can be a great experience, but arriving unprepared can add a lot of the wrong type of drama to the day. Make sure you have any paperwork or items you have been asked to bring, but don’t take it personally if they don’t use it on the day. It happens often that they ask for items or information, just to change what they originally planned on the day and not ask for it or use it at all.

Depending on the job, clothes will be provided while you may be asked to supply your own outfits at other times. If you are required to bring clothes the wardrobe department will inform you of what is needed; often simple things like jeans, t-shirts and runners. In general, choose items that do not have any visible branding and bring a few options of each. Bright colours are often appreciated, unless told otherwise and avoid stripes as these can often bleed together and not look good on camera. Bring as many options as you think will be helpful and remember you can ask our casting department if you are uncertain about anything!

Taking some snacks with you can also save the day. The break times for meals on set can vary a lot from your usual times so have something handy to keep your child (and you!) functioning if that is the case. Catering on sets can be amazing and might be one of the highlights of your day, but it is not guaranteed that your child will like what is provided. Some productions regularly cater for children and may have an array of choices for them while others are used to looking after their adult actors and crew and may not have the things your child prefers to eat.

It is also a good idea to take toys or games to keep your child occupied, as you could be required to wait for extended periods of time before or during filming. The idea is to provide them with enough stimulation to keep them occupied, but ready to work when they are called on set.

Now you’re ready to go!

Glossary:

CALL SHEET: a document that your agent will send you from the production company, usually on the day before your job. It specifies what time you are required on set, how long you are expected to be needed for, the location you are to meet at, the name and phone number of the person you need to meet on set (or contact if you have any problems on the day) and other details .

CALL TIME: the time at which you are required to be on set. Always arrive at the location earlier than this and aim to find the person you are required to meet with 10-15 minutes before your call time.

3rd AD: 3rd Assistant Director. This is the person who is usually in charge of the extras on a television set and who you would be required to report to if that was your role for the day. For other jobs you might be asked to report to someone with a different role.

What Really Happens On Set? Part 2, will explore what happens once you arrive on the big day

Tom Morgan wins a trip to Hollywood

                            TOM MORGAN | 15 | MELBOURNE

 IF YOU WERE AN ASPIRING TEENAGE ACTOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BIGGEST DREAM?

Sixteen days shy of his 16^th birthday, Tom Morgan became one step closer to his.

On an unsuspecting Saturday morning, Tom and Mum Jo-Anne attended a Casting Seminar presented by Lilly Dawson under the impression they were due to attend an audition afterwards. The ‘audition’ was cleverly crafted to ensure Tom’s attendance at the event amidst a planned presentation by Lilly and Bettina.  

Lilly Dawson, from Lilly Dawson Casting and Hollywood Immersive, said Tom was chosen for the prize based on his brilliant attitude, talent, great look and ability to take on a challenge. ‘He is not afraid and tackles everything with enthusiasm and excitement regardless of his limited experience. It was a very emotional moment for Tom and his Mum and I think I may have even shed a tear or two myself!'

Hollywood, in the district of Los Angeles and globally renowned for its thriving entertainment industry and cultivation of celebrity careers, will be Tom’s destination in January as he packs his bags to jet off for a week long intensive Hollywood Immersive Acting course. The all expenses paid trip and course is courtesy of Bettina Management, the Kids in Showbiz Program and Hollywood Immersive. The experience will thrust Tom in the limelight to meet with key Hollywood agents, producers and directors.

Mum Jo-Anne, Bettina, Tom and Lilly

Mum Jo-Anne told us yesterday that 'it was absolutely surreal, this is a dream come true for Tom.'

We caught up with Tom after the excitement of the weekend to find out more about him and how he was feeling about the looming trip and future acting ambitions.

How are you feeling about Saturday, was it anything you could have ever imagined?

‘No, it’s not. I was completely surprised and shocked at what happened.’

How did it feel telling your family and friends?

'It felt good, mum told all my family but I told all my friends and most of them didn’t believe me so I had to show them proof!'

When did you first realise you wanted to be an Actor and Model?

'I’ve always loved acting because I love watching movies and TV shows, and I also realised that modelling leads into acting and if I was to be in the modelling industry it would improve my chances of being in the acting industry as well.'

Being an Aspire Entertainment student, Tom says that participation in professional classes have helped with his confidence in reassuring him that putting in the hard yards will ultimately be rewarding.  

A seasoned rover, having travelled to New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji, South Africa and Hawaii already, Tom will be making his debut on the American mainland. He says he is most looking forward to see how professional actors go about things and also being able to experience what it would be like living in LA. 'My biggest goal is to become a professional actor, similar to actors like Angelina Jolie who do humanitarian work for underprivileged people.'

Tom’s advice to aspiring actors and models is to ‘not be put off by the thought of being rejected in order to get where you want to go, you will most likely be rejected many more times than you are accepted.’ While acknowledging many dream big and large, Tom says that exposure to the American acting industry would be an ideal outcome, but says he is happy to simply come back to Australia knowing much more about what it takes to be a professional actor.

Tom exudes calmness and determination even when wrapped up in the excitement of this life changing prize. Lilly admits ‘Tom wants this dream – there is no doubt and it shows.'

Look out, Hollywood!

Why didn't I get the job?

Getting a casting is very exciting...

Whether you're a seasoned auditioner or it's your first time, there is always a chance that you may not get chosen for the role.

Ever wondered why this might be? 

There are many steps involved before we receive a brief for a casting from a client. Often, every detail included in the brief is carefully planned and considered for the advertisement, catalogue or acting role in question. Alternatively, the client could only have a rough idea of what they are looking for and open the door to different options; relying heavily on our opinion and skills to match the brief accordingly. Clients may realise upon receiving submissions, which type of child would add the right character to the role. 

Walking out of the casting feeling like it went really well is comforting, but it pays to remember that clients might like all of the talent, and still have to choose someone based on a collaborative decision. Mostly, we are not told why talent are unsuccessful, similar to adults auditioning for modelling and acting roles. However, experience has suggested that these are a few reasons that contribute to missing out: 

• If they have to cast for parents, one child could suit the 'family' more than others and create a more realistic look
• The child role could be cancelled at the last minute or changed to a different age group
• Your availability for shooting dates and flexibility may not suit schedule
• Another child may resemble more so, what the client has in mind for the brand upon meeting in person
• Personality is key. It makes the choice easy for the client if one child comes in rather shy, followed by someone who is excited to be there and confident in their interactions. 
• Experience can sometimes play a part, especially for older children in acting roles. This can be evident straight away with introductions and reading of scripts (this is where acting courses can help significantly to assist with scoring the role) 
• It's subjective to different photographers and different producers across the board - we could think someone resembles the role but the client will choose differently depending on a range of other factors
• Upon meeting talent, the client could change their mind about the type of child they would like for the role, nothing is set in stone!

So remember, every casting that you attend will help with confidence for the next one. 

Try not to get disheartened about these processes, chalk it all up to experience!