Chronic Complainers on Movie/Television Sets
Complainers, we all know them, we have all been them, but some people always have something to complain about. You can't keep everyone happy. Here are some common complaints I hear about on a day-to-day basis.
- Complaining About Being Bored/ Not Being Used or Picked To Go On Set
Just because you are booked, there is no guarantee that you will be used on set. You might sit in holding all day. If you are professional background actor, you should know that. You have nothing to complain about. If you have something better to do, why did you commit to being a background actor for the day? You are getting paid to sit and snack all day. Bring a book, start a conversation with someone, learn how to entertain yourself and stop being so high maintenance.
- Complaints About Not Being Served Breakfast or Not Liking What Is Served for Breakfast
Breakfast is a courtesy, not a guarantee. Eat beforehand or pack something to bring. Also, I hate hearing picky eaters complain that they don't like what is served for breakfast. This is not your mommy's kitchen, you are not a two-year old. Nobody HAS to give you breakfast. You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit.
-Complaints About It Being A Short or Long Day
You will very rarely go into a show knowing how long of a workday you will have. You can take a guess or a PA might estimate, but really you will never know. When you commit to being a background actor, learn to be flexible. Don't make plans or be sure to have flexible plans because there is no guarantee that you will make it to those other commitments. If you commit to being a background actor for the day, you shouldn't have any other commitments. There is no leaving early or asking to leave early.
- Complaints About What Is Served At Crafty
This one kind of goes along with the breakfast one. If you are provided snacks other than cheese puffs and water, I don't want to hear any complaining. Again, stop being so picky. Bring your own snacks. It is a known fact that most of the snacks provided are junk food. If you are on a diet or can't eat sweets, bring your own fruits and veggies.
- Complaints About The Weather
There are somethings that you can do that can better your experience if you are filming outside in the heat or cold. First of all, ask the casting company if the scenes are interior or exterior and look up the forecast for the anticipated day. If it's going to be cold, bring layers, bring hand warmers, bring a blanket. Sometimes you have to film summer scenes during winter. If that's the case, have a jacket handy nearby for when they cut the scene. If it's going to be hot out, you can bring a portable fan, bring a cooling rag, bring a frozen bottle of water to hold in between scenes. You might freeze or melt for a day, but remember that it is only one day and you committed to it.
By no means am I perfect, I complain here and there, but I know what I sign up for when I commit to being a background actor and I usually arrive prepared. I would also like to enforce that sometimes Extras Casting companies are unaware of certain issues, because nobody tells them. Sometimes you need to reach out to them so that they are aware of things that can be fixed.
Here are some things you should complain about...
- Sexual Harassment/Assault on Set
If anybody touches you or talks to you inappropriately please tell the nearest PA, AD and mention it to the Extras Casting Company. A lot of people keep these incidents to themselves because they are afraid of being blacklisted for turning someone in, as someone who has worked in casting before, I will tell you that is not the case. Turning someone in can prevent it from happening to someone else.
- Safety
If you are asked to do anything that you know isn't safe, don't do it. They might hate you, but who gives a crap. Don't put your safety at risk.
- Getting Mistreated
Sometimes crew members are just cranky and they let their frustration out on you, but there are times when lines are crossed. If anyone starts cursing you or insulting you, let someone know.
- Getting Breaks
If you are on set for a long period of time and you need to use the restroom, let the production assistant or assistant directors know. Nobody expects you to not use the restroom, but at the same time know your limits and don't be drinking a gallon of water a day knowing that you will be needed on set .Also, if you are wearing high heels and have been standing for long periods of times, it's ok to sit down or ask to. Sometimes the crew is so caught up and their business that they forget or don't think about these kinds of things. It's not that they don't care, but sometimes you just need to ask or remind them.
-No snacks
As mentioned above, don't be picky about your snacks but let's say you've been there a few hours and there have been no snacks put out.. reach out to the extras casting company or PA and ask if snacks will be put out. Breakfast is not a guarantee but snacks usually are on well budgeted film and TV sets. Again pack your own snacks if you're not sure that there will be any and in case the movie or show won't provide any.
- Complaining About Being Bored/ Not Being Used or Picked To Go On Set
Just because you are booked, there is no guarantee that you will be used on set. You might sit in holding all day. If you are professional background actor, you should know that. You have nothing to complain about. If you have something better to do, why did you commit to being a background actor for the day? You are getting paid to sit and snack all day. Bring a book, start a conversation with someone, learn how to entertain yourself and stop being so high maintenance.
- Complaints About Not Being Served Breakfast or Not Liking What Is Served for Breakfast
Breakfast is a courtesy, not a guarantee. Eat beforehand or pack something to bring. Also, I hate hearing picky eaters complain that they don't like what is served for breakfast. This is not your mommy's kitchen, you are not a two-year old. Nobody HAS to give you breakfast. You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit.
-Complaints About It Being A Short or Long Day
You will very rarely go into a show knowing how long of a workday you will have. You can take a guess or a PA might estimate, but really you will never know. When you commit to being a background actor, learn to be flexible. Don't make plans or be sure to have flexible plans because there is no guarantee that you will make it to those other commitments. If you commit to being a background actor for the day, you shouldn't have any other commitments. There is no leaving early or asking to leave early.
- Complaints About What Is Served At Crafty
This one kind of goes along with the breakfast one. If you are provided snacks other than cheese puffs and water, I don't want to hear any complaining. Again, stop being so picky. Bring your own snacks. It is a known fact that most of the snacks provided are junk food. If you are on a diet or can't eat sweets, bring your own fruits and veggies.
- Complaints About The Weather
There are somethings that you can do that can better your experience if you are filming outside in the heat or cold. First of all, ask the casting company if the scenes are interior or exterior and look up the forecast for the anticipated day. If it's going to be cold, bring layers, bring hand warmers, bring a blanket. Sometimes you have to film summer scenes during winter. If that's the case, have a jacket handy nearby for when they cut the scene. If it's going to be hot out, you can bring a portable fan, bring a cooling rag, bring a frozen bottle of water to hold in between scenes. You might freeze or melt for a day, but remember that it is only one day and you committed to it.
By no means am I perfect, I complain here and there, but I know what I sign up for when I commit to being a background actor and I usually arrive prepared. I would also like to enforce that sometimes Extras Casting companies are unaware of certain issues, because nobody tells them. Sometimes you need to reach out to them so that they are aware of things that can be fixed.
Here are some things you should complain about...
- Sexual Harassment/Assault on Set
If anybody touches you or talks to you inappropriately please tell the nearest PA, AD and mention it to the Extras Casting Company. A lot of people keep these incidents to themselves because they are afraid of being blacklisted for turning someone in, as someone who has worked in casting before, I will tell you that is not the case. Turning someone in can prevent it from happening to someone else.
- Safety
If you are asked to do anything that you know isn't safe, don't do it. They might hate you, but who gives a crap. Don't put your safety at risk.
- Getting Mistreated
Sometimes crew members are just cranky and they let their frustration out on you, but there are times when lines are crossed. If anyone starts cursing you or insulting you, let someone know.
- Getting Breaks
If you are on set for a long period of time and you need to use the restroom, let the production assistant or assistant directors know. Nobody expects you to not use the restroom, but at the same time know your limits and don't be drinking a gallon of water a day knowing that you will be needed on set .Also, if you are wearing high heels and have been standing for long periods of times, it's ok to sit down or ask to. Sometimes the crew is so caught up and their business that they forget or don't think about these kinds of things. It's not that they don't care, but sometimes you just need to ask or remind them.
-No snacks
As mentioned above, don't be picky about your snacks but let's say you've been there a few hours and there have been no snacks put out.. reach out to the extras casting company or PA and ask if snacks will be put out. Breakfast is not a guarantee but snacks usually are on well budgeted film and TV sets. Again pack your own snacks if you're not sure that there will be any and in case the movie or show won't provide any.
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