The advice here is meant not just for actors on set but anyone that is finding themselves working on set in Richmond, Virginia. You must understand that the production is viewed as more important than anything else. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t interfere in any way with shooting, their schedule or plans. They just have to make their movie or show in the short time that they are on set, so the goal should be to stay out of the way as much as possible. The first good advice here, is if you are not on set or in front of camera in Richmond, Virginia you need to be sure to stay out of the actors’ eyelines, if you decide to hang back and watch.
Many actors really don’t care if there are other actors or other people on set visiting, but they don’t want to see you or them while they are working. Having some stranger peering at them, right in their line-of-sight can be really distracting, you will have a better understanding of this once you start working more on set in Richmond, Virginia. It is also recommended that you avoid hogging the video monitors too. Most of the time the best rule of thumb is to just stay away from ‘Video Village’ where the monitors are set up for the director and producers to watch the filming. On a few rare occasions, you may be invited over to watch but be unobtrusive. Be invisible and it will certainly be appreciated.
Know that you will probably only get one rehearsal in Richmond, Virginia. Don’t think that just because you had 15 weeks of rehearsal in college for a production that that is the norm. If you are working on a one-hour drama or a single-camera, you will most likely get one tiny little rehearsal, and you will be working with people you have never met before. You will say a brief hello to the director (who you probably saw at the callback), and who is extremely busy, and then you will run through the lines with the other actors at the location. They will discuss blocking, talk briefly about the scene, and then do a “marking rehearsal,” where the crew comes in and they figure out where everyone will be standing so they can set up the lights. That’s right, dozens of eyes on you. Be confident and act like you have been doing this forever.
Know your lines backwards and forwards. Inside and out in Richmond, Virginia. Nobody else will, but you must, as you are the guest and you won this job over many many, many actors. You can be replaced easily. They might change your lines, they might cut them. Be ready for anything, and don’t take it personally. There will be so many distractions on set as it (elaborate camera moves, trying to hit your mark, finding your light) and if you aren’t secure with the lines, you will waste valuable time. You will probably get one or two takes of your shot. If you mess up a line (please don’t), the script supervisor will shout out your line for you. They are now your new best friend in Richmond, Virginia.
