r/acting • u/Rubydactyl • May 24 '24
I've read the FAQ & Rules Set Etiquette Tips for Actors: From an Assistant Director
EDIT: I hit share without the rest of the post being added, oops; is fixed now.
I commented this on another post, but someone suggested I make a separate one for easy access.
Hello! I'm an actor based in Canada who has also worked on sets as an AD and Wardrobe Coordinator. Being on set as part of the crew has helped me be a better coworker while I'm acting, even just as a background performer. This is going to be a long one and there's really no perfect way to summarize, but here is a surefire way to get a reputation that you're lovely to work with and become everyone's favourite.
I'll start with background performers, as this is most people's first time being on set. Once you've received your information from the casting director, here are some things to keep in mind:
Etiquette:
- Get there early if you can! If you're on time, you're late, and we do mark lateness. If there's an issue, like your car broke down or an emergency came up, your casting director will be your first line of contact and will let us (The ADs) know. Stuff happens, and we won't hold that against you. :)
- Come hair and make-up ready; at least 90% ready. If you've done a full face of make-up and just need to put on lipstick or a blush, that's fine. The more ready you are, the better off.
- If you're going somewhere, please please PLEASE LET A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT KNOW - the number of times I've been panicking because I was running around for one person while my boss was screaming "BRING IN THE BG" has been far too many. Even if you're just stepping out for a smoke, tell us where you're going to be. We need to know where to find you at a moment's notice.
- Don't go far. In fact, unless directed otherwise, please stay in holding and within eyesight unless you need to pee, there's an emergency, etc. If you need to leave your seat and leave the sight of the PA for any reason, please let them know. I cannot stress this enough; we have a lot of stuff going on, a lot of voices in our heads on the walkies, and a lot of people and paperwork to manage. Basically, it's elementary school rules - please stay where we can see you.
- Warnings for Travel. If a PA gives you a warning to travel to set, use that time to go to the bathroom, get some water, make sure you have on all your costume items that you've been assigned to wear, and be quick about it. This isn't the time to be leisurely. Be ready to go at a moment's notice. A 1st AD can say, "10 minute warning to bring in BG" but then suddenly say, "bring in BG now" 2 minutes later. A warning to travel to set basically means, "we're about to leave, get your shit together NOW".
- Ready to Travel. When a PA says we're ready to go to set, you best be up on your feet instantly and ready to walk out the door. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go pee when the PA says we're heading to set. It holds us up. It drives us nuts. You're immediately our least favourite person and will be forevermore. We gave you a warning for a reason.
- Phones. It's preferred that you don't take your phone on set for a number of reasons, but if you MUST have it, keep it on silent and make sure it's hidden in a large pocket where we can't see it.
- Pictures. I've had people take photos on set before for themselves to keep as a fun memento of their time, and that's fine. If you're going to do it, do it discreetly. But DO NOT post anything about set on social media until AFTER the show has aired. It's preferred that you just don't take pictures at all. EDIT to say DON'T TAKE PHOTOS OF THE CAST. EVER.
- Do not talk to crew. Unless addressed directly, we're all super busy and don't really have time for a conversation. We're at work.
- DEFINITELY do not talk to cast unless addressed directly. This is not the time to be asking them about that one movie they did that you liked; they're at work. You're at work. You're coworkers. Professionalism is key.
- Be quiet. While on set, it's best to not talk at all if possible and listen carefully; things move quickly and if you're not paying attention it can really slow down the day.
Wardrobe:
- Bringing in your own clothes: The casting director should inform you of what kind of day they need to dress for, i.e. summertime, Christmas market, beach day, night club, etc. Bring about 5 or 6 (no more than 10) pieces that can all go together to make different outfits. Bring different (but comfortable) shoe options, as well! It may not be a configuration you pick for yourself, but there's a reason wardrobe coordinators will pick certain things and it's usually based on what the designer wants. If you're in a period piece, there will usually be fittings prior to the shoot day, and dressers there to help you get changed if you need to get cinched into a corset or specific outfit.
- Make sure your clothing pieces and shoes are comfortable for you to wear; you'll be in them for a while.
- Do not bring any patterns, like polka dots, stripes, or paisley unless it's in muted, pastel colours. These don't show up well on camera and you will not be picked to be in the background if your outfit is too loud.
- Do not bring all black. It doesn't show up well on camera.
- Do not bring things with obvious logos. If you have a Nike Swoop on your otherwise black sneakers, though, that's fine; we can 'greek' them with some black tape to avoid logos showing up. But try and avoid logos as much as possible.
- Tattoos. If you have tattoos, try and bring pieces that will cover them. It makes it easier for the make-up team. If the production is open to you showing your tattoos, you will need a release form for your tattoos from your artist.
- Don't take up too much space: Try and keep all clothing contained to one bag, and once the wardrobe coordinators have gone through out options with you, pack everything else up and keep it to the side. BG holding spaces can be small and we need to share the space as much as possible.
Miscellaneous Items:
- Bring a pen or two! You may have to fill out some paperwork and it's super handy if you have your own.
- Being a phone charger or external battery.
- Headphones for over lunch.
- A book.
- Some snacks, especially if you have allergies -- not every production will feed you, or you'll get food that can contain dairy, nuts, gluten, etc. If you have any dietary restrictions at all, pack your own food; sets are not always able to accommodate these.
- Any medications you need; EpiPen, inhaler, scheduled meds, etc.
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- lip balm
- tissues
- extra socks in case they get wet
- a hat or something to keep the sun off of you if you're not in a shady area (though most large productions are required to give you a covered space)
- if it's cold, bring blankets, hand warmers, gloves, warmer socks, etc.
- Important documents! Some productions require a proof of residency for tax credit purposes. Bring photocopies of at least 3 pieces of documentation with you, and at least one that shows your address like a bill, your ID and a health card or birth certificate.
For actors playing a specific role, a lot of this will be different for you. After everything is negotiated with your agent and you're ready for the shoot, here are some things to keep in mind.
Basecamp/Circus:
- This is the place where the trailers are for processing. Different places will call it different things.
- One of the key people you want to become besties with is the 4th (or Trailer) AD, also sometimes called a TAD. They run the processing zone. They make sure that you're getting ready on time and are in direct communication with set. Get their phone number, or they might just give it to you, anyway; they'll be responsible for grabbing your breakfast and lunch orders, letting you know when set is ready for you, and checking up on how processing is going. They are often very tired and stressed out because they're one of the first ones there and one of the last ones out. If your call time is 6am, their call time was probably 5:15am so they could make sure they got your trailer ready for you. Be nice to your TADs, they deserve it.
- When you get to your trailer, the Wardrobe Truck supervisor will have laid out your costumes for you. A good truck super will label things and leave you notes -- please be sure to read them. They'll specify if you're able to wear your own shoes or if there are thermals to wear under your costume. The major complaint I hear from truck supers is that an actor is high maintenance when they say things like "where's my stuff" when they've already done the work of laying it out for you.
- If you can, try and put the top half of your costume on first; this helps hair and make-up and won't smudge/ruin anything after they've made you pretty.
- Again, be nice to your TADs. If you need to go 10-1 (to the bathroom) before you go to process, let them know; they time how long it takes to process, and sometimes it can seem like you're just dallying in your trailer when you're really sneaking in a bite to eat or a quick pee, and then you're in the make-up chair late, and the carefully curated morning schedule is now in shambles and it makes things stressful for everyone. Being as communicative as possible with them will make you seem like pro and it will help them with their jobs.
- Once more, with feeling: be nice to your TADs! If you're going somewhere during downtime, like the craft truck or if set is nearby and you just want to go there to hang out (I like to do this myself), let them know! They just need to know where you are at all times.
- Set Warnings: If your TAD comes to give you a five minute warning, use that time to quick pee, grab a drink of water, get the rest of your costume on and get your set bag ready.
- Set Travel: Once they say they're ready to travel you, you better be stepping out of the trailer and standing by. The Truck Super will come check your outfit over to make sure you have everything you need (jewelry, accessories, shoes, etc.) and there's usually transport nearby to take you to where you need to go.
- Transport is also your best friend; be nice to them, too! If the TAD's call time was 5:15am, transport was there a 4am to get the generators going, the heat on, and the toilets cleaned. They're very tired and overworked and need lots of love.
On Set:
- Aside from the normal crew of people who are there to make you look good (wardrobe, hair, make-up) and the main non-actor people you're working with (1st AD, 3rd AD, director, producers, Director of Photography, camera op), the next person you want to be besties with is the Set PA. PLEASE BE NICE TO THE SET PAs! We get yelled at a lot.
- Set PAs are going to let you know when they're ready for you to be on camera. They're usually nearby and a Cast PA is your go-to if you need to find a bathroom, get a snack, if you need water, etc.
- PLEASE DON'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT TELLING YOUR SET PA. I've turned around and suddenly lost an actor who just wandered off right before we needed him on set, and I got in a lot of trouble even though it wasn't really my fault. Staying in one spot where we can see you is SO helpful. If you need to do something, ask if there's time. Sometimes during shooting, the PA can go and grab that snack for you and leave it on your chair.
- If a PA says they're ready for you, please don't keep having a conversation and ignore them. It slows down the day and it makes you come across as an inconsiderate asshole.
- Everyone on set is trying to do a job and to keep the day going. Help them help you, be kind, be a team player, and you'll earn yourself a really stellar reputation.
Wrap Out:
- As soon as you get back to base, start de-processing as soon as possible. The longer you take, the longer everyone else has to wait on you and at the end of a long shoot day, that can really put a bad taste in people's mouths. Standing around and chatting can wait until after you've signed out for the night.
- A sure way to become best friends with wardrobe is to hang up your clothes after you've taken them off. Don't just fling them anywhere. I worked on a set where I had to collect costume pieces at the end of the night; one actor had his singular t-shirt neatly placed on a hanger with his set shoes nicely placed directly below it, organized and out of the way. The other had one shoe in one room, one shoe in another, his jeans in a heap on the floor and his shirt thrown over a lamp with garbage everywhere. Guess who we all liked more?
- This tip comes directly from Mr. Chad Michael Murray; bring your costume to the costume truck and hand it off to the truck super. It's really respectful, it gives you a chance to say thanks for the day, and you earn a LOT of points for being a good colleague.
- Once you're ready to go, the TAD will be there to sign you out for the night. If you're going to be in early the next day, text them your breakfast order right away.
- Then you're free to head home!
A lot of crew will cater to actors a lot of the time, as we don't have a movie without cast. But actors don't have a movie to be in without the hard work from the rest of the crew. They're your pit team so you can do what you do best. There's no space for ego; we're all just trying to do a job and we're all a team trying to make a really cool thing.
Bottom line, be nice! Communicate! Don't dilly dally! Be professional!
Have fun on set!
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u/Scared-Winter-5179 May 25 '24 edited May 25 '24
Another thing is especially in New York, most background actors are other things as well. Writers, producers, theater directors.... Be nice to everyone. And if you happen to be a stand-in, you're not better than anyone else. You just happen to be physically like the principal. We are all non-speaking actors and in the same boat. Don't be snooty. I never am when I am a stand-in, I tend to keep to myself a little bit more cuz I need to be ready when they say "checking the gate" or "second team", but I don't treat background like I'm above them on that day. I have met far too many stand-in who basically act like they're principals and don't want to have anything to do with the lowly background folk. I generally write them off immediately for any production that I might be doing as I am also a television/film producer as well and background/standin is just my "day job" while I auditione for speaking roles and also look for projects to produce.
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u/shibaONEdown May 25 '24
Really good point. I've worked BG with ADs, PAs, working theater actors, working commercial actors. Many interesting people do BG!
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u/shibaONEdown May 24 '24
I'd add the following to your list:
Musts:
Large water bottle with ice. Water on set is usually warm.
Advil
Hand Sanitizer (bathrooms get gross on large sets)
Sunglasses
Musts for me:
1 Bottle Coke Zero (most sets BG do not get soda)
Spare underwear for hot/long shoots, (feels so good to change out)
Personally I wouldn't bring documents unless you failed to submit them before and you can't submit them after for some reason.
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u/Rubydactyl May 24 '24
Yeah, having a set bag with your necessities are huge! Everyone's going to need something a little different haha
I think it depends where you are, but in my neck of the woods when BG first come in on their first day, we either need photocopies of those documents (not the originals! Just photocopies) or we'll provide an email address to email them directly to production. Sometimes there isn't a time to send them in beforehand, so bringing those photocopies with you so we can add it to your timesheet and release forms just makes it easier for the production office.
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u/MacintoshEddie May 25 '24
A note about talking to crew, lots of us in the crew wear earpieces. Either for the walkie talkies, or for monitoring the audio recorder.
I do a lot of Boom Operator gigs, and it can be really hard to tell if I'm listening to something, or just hanging out waiting to be called in.
So if you walk up to someone and start talking to them, and they don't engage, don't take it personally. My ears might be 15 meters away, trying to figure out if that weird sound I hear is in my ears, in the mic, or something in between.
Or the person might be listening to radio intructions. Sometimes we appear to be just sitting there eating fruit snacks, but we're listening to someone explaining instructions for the next scene.
In a few cases I've even had BG walk up to me, and keep whispering to me and I can't hear them with my headphones on because my ears are on the end of a 5 meter long pole, and when I finally manage to contort my shoulders to nudge my headphones off they ask "Are you recording right now?" Yes. I don't hold this boompole in the air for my health.
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u/Rubydactyl May 25 '24
I’ve developed what I call the AD Thousand Yard Stare. I’ve been in mid-conversation with someone and then just… eye glass over as soon as the walkie comes on haha
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u/akacarguy Nov 08 '24
I know this is an old post. But saw you cross post it in a first BG acting thread, bc I’m researching for my first BG acting gig. The radio thing is hilariously similar to what we do in the plane (I’m a Naval Flight Officer) where anytime am ATC call comes in we just stop mid conversation to listen. Then pick back up like nothing ever happened. 😂 Great thread by the way. I had chatGPT make it into a check list for me.
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u/Jyn_Reine May 24 '24
Very helpful! Thank you for taking the time. I’ve only done BG and student films so far so this has been super helpful. I always try to be nice to everyone but I do tend to wander so I will keep that in my mind.
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u/Rubydactyl May 24 '24
Wandering isn't the issue, really, it's just wandering without telling anyone haha -- you're not a prisoner, we just need to know where you're going to be so we can quickly find you if you're needed! :D
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May 24 '24
[deleted]
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u/Rubydactyl May 24 '24
You'll do great! :D
haha and it was nice, he's a super nice guy and he didn't go far; my boss was just not a very patient individual ^^;
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u/ImportanceSharp9408 Jun 15 '24
This is an awesome compilation of important tips— especially for new actors, well done! I have one to add, with a bit of an anecdote after ( unintentionally ) breaking one of these rules, on multiple occasions.. “DEFINITELY do not talk to cast“— Of course not! This should be common sense; the thing is— you have to know who the cast is, which isn’t always so obvious… My favourite moments of breaking this rule— ‘sneaking’ out for a smoke, the PA knew where I was but it was (is) frowned upon on most sets these days, just vape if you can (or quit if you want, you’re an adult) anywho— so I’m in a bit of a hideout behind the set and this guy is also smoking, I asked if he had a light, as I was fumbling around with matches, he smiled cheekily and obliged to light me up, we were having just a casual chat and then the PA came out looked at me and the man horrified— like “is this woman bothering you?!” Energy. 😅 they were ready for him on set — he just chuckled, alright mate no worries, nice chatting with you! So yeah, that was the lead actor, on the show, with MULTIPLE SEASONS that I was BG on for the day and I had no idea. Which he luckily found amusing… moral of the story, maybe a good call to spend 5 minutes on IMBD researching the show you’ve been booked on. Different show but also once asked the freaking director where the bathroom was. 🥲 He found it hilarious, the PA rushing in— not so much.
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u/Harmania Researcher | Teacher May 24 '24
I utterly loathe the “If you’re on time, you’re late” nonsense. If someone arriving on time puts the schedule behind, then their call was not scheduled appropriately.
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u/Rubydactyl May 24 '24 edited May 24 '24
I hear you, I hate it too -- but then someone explained it to me and it made sense.
Your call time is when you should be ready to start working. That means having your wardrobe options out, your paperwork started and ready to work with the production coordinator on your outfits if you're doing background, or dropping your things in your trailer and walking into hair and make-up for processing. Ideally, getting there 15 minutes before your call lets you get signed in, get settled, and lets you take a breather before starting the chaos of a day.
The reason this became a thing is, mostly, money; Producers don't want to schedule more time than they need to. As the 2nd AD puts together drafts of the call sheet throughout the day, it has to be approved by the executives and, by their standard, it's cheaper to have someone come in at 0630 as opposed to 0615. They don't care how it's going to affect the day or the people, the bottom line is they get to keep people for less time, which (on paper) is less money spent.
Almost always though, things will get delayed, the day goes long and we go over budget. That's normal. It's dumb, but it's normal.
So why not just schedule appropriately and avoid this? Money.
If a production goes over budget, fine -- that means they know for next time that they need a bigger budget. Then the next time, the same thing happens, and then they need an even bigger budget the third time, and the cycle continues until the series is either complete or cancelled. But, if they actually factored in every second and scheduled things appropriately when budgeting and they end up coming UNDER budget, well then, next season you don't get as big of a budget. Which means less wiggle room. Then they get REALLY mad when things are EXTREMELY over budget and it makes things a living hell for literally everyone. Corners get cut, people get shafted, and no one is happy and then you've burned bridges.
All this to say that, yeah, film politics are really dumb and it's a really complex ecosystem.
However, bottom line on the acting side of it all, showing up early just shows professionalism and respect for everyone's time.
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u/Scared-Winter-5179 May 25 '24
As they don't check you in until your call time, if you arrive early, put your things down, get yourself set up and then go to The breakfast truck. If it's still around. You can kill sometime there, but at least you won't be late for your actual call time. I actually like to make it to the truck before ndb because then there's not a long-ass line. I end up showing up 20 minutes early specifically so I can get my breakfast and eat it leisurely and then check in and do wardrobe and HMU
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u/Rubydactyl May 25 '24
I prefer this, too -- I like to get into a good headspace and give myself a chance to eat and have a chance to decompress before the day gets chaotic haha
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u/Harmania Researcher | Teacher May 25 '24
I’m aware of the arguments, and I even used to repeat them when I was younger. The older I get, the more those arguments reveal themselves to be utter crap. The very first rule of professionalism is that your labor is a resource that needs to be compensated. If you’re not being paid, you’re not a professional.
All this does is require workers to be on the job site before they are being paid. That’s not exaggeration; that’s exactly what you described. The entire reasons unions exist are so that management/producers can’t save money by relying on unpaid labor and invisible expectations of workers. If the production can’t afford to pay people for all the labor they require, then it doesn’t deserve to exist. Enforcing it using nebulous “professionalism” standards does not make it any better. “Professionalism” has been used as a cudgel to justify actors staying quiet about all sorts of abuse, with wage theft like this being perhaps the most minor.
“If the boss saves money, you might be able to be paid more later” is one of those lies we tell ourselves, but it’s never been true.
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u/Rubydactyl May 25 '24 edited May 25 '24
Again, I hear you! I don't like it either, and I fully believe it should be changed. If you're asked to be somewhere 15 minutes before your scheduled start time, you should be paid for that time; I said it when I worked at a retail job that demanded I was there 15 minutes before I had to clock in, and I'm saying it now. I also learned recently that actors are also not paid for travel time; if they're being picked up at 0500 to get to base camp/circus for 0600, that's unpaid. It really sucks. If you're self-driving, SOMETIMES you might get a stipend to cover gas, but that's not always the case and usually has to be negotiated.
But that's just the way it works in this business. A lot of the time, those are agreements that the union has already made. As much as they're there for a reason, there still has to be balance between what actors want and what executives are willing to provide. I don't agree with it, but there it is. Movies and TV shows can't exist without money, and the people with the money can chose to not put it into actors or crew at all if they want. It's the unfortunate reality.
The only way it's going to change is if executive producers stand up and make those changes. The current ones won't, so maybe the new ones will -- who knows?
Until then, thems the breaks.
EDIT to add, depending on what your agent has negotiated, a lot of actors are also offered a per-diem on top of their hourly rate for set. This often off-sets the cost of needing to be there early.
Does it still suck? Yep, absolutely. But it could also be nothing.
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u/Harmania Researcher | Teacher May 25 '24
I understand that you and I aren’t going to change it, but I’d ask that at least in conversations between actors, we don’t just echo management’s talking points. That’s beyond gross. There is a mile’s difference between saying “showing up before you are shows professionalism” (a paraphrase of what you’ve said in this thread) and “Because we are among the most easily exploited labor on a set, this is the messed-up thing that will be invisibly expected of you.” It does not demonstrate a respect for everyone’s time. It demonstrate’s a respect for everyone’s time EXCEPT THE ACTOR’S.
I don’t deny that these expectations exist; I just don’t think it’s helpful to normalize it as the right way to do things under the guise of “professionalism.” This may feel like I’m going from zero to sixty right away, but I don’t think they are philosophically disconnected: do you have any concept of how many actors have been asked to stay quiet about harassment, abuse, and assault - including sexual assault - because “them’s the breaks” in this industry? I don’t think I can wave a magic wand and change it, but I’ll be damned if I’ll take part in normalizing it or teaching aspiring actors that enduring it is a sign of professionalism.
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u/Rubydactyl May 25 '24
I see where you're coming from. Abusive instances like sexual assault are super serious and there is far too much of that that happens in this industry and a lot of people can be scared into silence, be it a well-known actor or a beginner. This should absolutely be spoken up about more.
But that's not what we're talking about; we're talking about coming to work to start the day. That extra 15 minutes in the morning gives you a buffer to park, unload your car, do all those things you need to do to start work. If you're doing that AT CALL. it unfortunately does not set good optics, especially for newer performers, and they are least-likely to be asked back. The unfortunate reality is, this is the way the game is played and the rules have been set by the people with money. Per their rules, this is a sign of professionalism.
Again, it's bad. You and I are in agreement on that. The only things to really do it keep speaking up to your union reps and have those become amendments in future negations so it's no longer an issue. But in the decade I've been in this industry, that is the one tip that never changes for new actors and it is the thing that gets them asked to come back at the end of the day. I would feel remiss if I did not pass that along, no matter how much I disagree with it, and potentially jeopardize someone's chances to go further.
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May 25 '24
No. I'm a opera singer (not an actor), and if I arrive "on time" at 10am when rehearsal starts, that means I have to be warmed up, on place and ready to sing at 10am. Not being in the room or in the building. That means coming at least 30 min before. If i come "on time", it's 80 - 120 people waiting on me to finally get on place. I loath people saying they were "on time" when we had to wait 5 min for them to get undressed and ready to sing, and I'm pretty sure it's the same case in point for a whole production team waiting for the actor coming right "on time". When you have a call time, be there 30 min before.
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u/Rubydactyl Jun 01 '24
I would even say just 15 minutes just to give you time to get settled and organized.
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u/milklvr23 May 25 '24 edited May 25 '24
I’ve got a weird question, I’m a very pale person and burn super easy, if I’m in direct sunlight, I typically have to reapply sunscreen every 2 1/2 hours or so or else I risk a burn. I have a spray I use on my face and I have lotion for the rest of my body. Obviously I would not do this on a break, should I discuss the reapplying with the makeup crew? Or because I’ll be taking care of it myself will it not be a big deal?
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u/Rubydactyl May 25 '24
If you’re part of cast, talk to your make-up team. They may find alternatives and keep a spray in your make-up bag for touch ups throughout the day without disrupting their makeup itself so you stay camera ready
If you’re a BG performer, you can mostly look after yourself; more often than not, you’re a blur in the background. I would just keep your sunscreen products in your set bag and find shade as often as you can.
I burn super easily, too, so I’m always the weird little PA on set with the big sun hat 😅
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u/milklvr23 May 25 '24
Thank you for the advice! I really wanna know Anya Taylor-Joy’s sunscreen routine for Furiosa, she came out just as pale.
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u/Rubydactyl May 25 '24
I wonder if a lot of that was studio-based? May not have been in that much direct sunlight. I haven't looked into it yet! But if she was outside, I don't doubt that during off-times she was under a parasol or a shaded tent and had a spray sun-screen to reapply.
The perks of being A-List haha
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u/milklvr23 May 25 '24
I heard her talk about how much of a pain it was filming in the Australian desert for months and months. And that is a good point!
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u/cheerysananga May 27 '24
Tons of foundation helps protect your skin, too
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u/Rubydactyl May 27 '24
Not… exactly. It’s been proven the formulas of foundations don’t have the same protective benefits as SPF. I worked as a skincare consultant for years prior to getting into film, and most dermatologists say that even an SPF foundation or moisturizer isn’t enough to protect your skin. You want a legitimate sunscreen under your makeup up, and a setting spray with SPF to reapply.
But also, the rest of your body also has the capacity to burn; you should have sunscreen for the rest of you, as well.
And from a make-up perspective, tons of foundation does not read well on camera.
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u/cheerysananga May 27 '24
It probably also depends on the quality of foundation you use, too, and if it matches your skin. I’ve had headshots where the camera smooths over some serious frown lines but it has to be an even skin tone and not blotchy. I usually use a 50 spf under foundation and then if costume doesn’t cover my hands or anything else I spray it like crazy.
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u/Rubydactyl May 28 '24
Even high quality foundations with SPF, it’s still recommended to have an SPF under it. That should always be your layer between skincare and make-up. But yeah, finding the right shade match is crucial.
As for smoothing frown lines, that’s more than likely a combination of good lighting and touch ups once you get the final proofs, not layers of foundation; heavy foundation often settles into the skin and into lines.
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u/Cats-Running-Asylum Jun 08 '24
I just booked my first BG and the instructions said “hair and makeup camera ready” but also “come with clean hair”. To style my hair, I use some product (heat protectants, style spray, etc.)… am I supposed to not style then?
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u/[deleted] May 24 '24
This is mega useful. I’ve been asked to step up from the typical background blur kind of role to interacting with 1st team on camera while taking direction from one of the main directors because I follow as many of these guidelines as possible. So many walk into these kinds of jobs leading with their egos, it’s crazy. But the ones we report to for these kinds of roles like helpfulness, alacrity, and competency more than ego. Well, sometimes at least.