OK. I am not the person to have bad experiences, but this one takes the cake.
I wanted to shy away from background / extra acting and want to do full principal work . I have had alot of principal work that was fantastic , but this one gig had a bad taste in my mouth.
I went on backstage to try out some day player roles. I found a role that I thought fit me perfectly and signed up for it . The director emails me. He had given me a completely different role. Very small , but it was a speaking role so I did not complain .
When I got onto set, I was called an extra by everyone. The crew was nice , but the SAG actors that were there were pretty rude and not even funny . I really wanted to just walk off of set at that point , but that would be very unprofessional so I sat it out. Felt like I wasting my time.
This in terms really turned me off on doing day player roles and just try and do support / lead roles. when I sign upon backstage. There was a supporting role that lasted for one day, but I feel its going to be another 180 and I will be an extra again . It is very annoying.
So what is your experience and opinion on day player roles ? ( sorry for bad grammar. I am not a great writer by all means XD).
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Hey Christopher,
I have yet to have a bad experience with day player roles but that being said I have not applied for many day player roles either. Luckily the crew I worked with were all pretty kind and open minded which made the environment enjoyable. Maybe you just drew a bad hand but I would definitely correct those who mistake what your role actually is in order to set things straight.
Respectfully,
Teophiel Oriteo Weston
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A Day Player - in terms of an actual contract - is essentially a guest star. You could have one line or several scenes, but you are only set to work a day or so. Think of the couple that discovers the crime that kicks off any Law & Order episode... two joggers in Central Park... or the waiter who interrupts the intense conversation between the two leads in a film. If you are a SAG-AFTRA member, you are not allowed to take non-union roles. They don't grant wavers. So. In the indie sphere, if you get on a film that has SAG cast and you're union but take a non-union gig, you'd best not announce it publicly. If you have a line - a speaking role - you are a day player and (in terms of the union) are subject to different circumstances (a single room in a honey wagon, a set day rate, etc). There are union and non-union background and they also have separate rules and rates - but generally, if you think you're going out for a speaking role, you should expect to have had to audition to get it. Nobody gets cast for a speaking role sight-unseen.
I am sorry for the late reply , yet I agree with both of you guys in that regard. There was one role that was a true day player part and the crew were fantastic and everything went smoothly . One job was also a day player role and I took extra work from this indie director cause I liked working with this person and his ethic( worked as a lead in his first film), I guess I did get the wrong hand in this situation. Some listings tho said I would get a sag waiver , but I was never given a thing . turned me off of acting for awhile cause it has happened far too many times.
Hey, Christopher Pornovets ! Great question! I do think the vibe on set is part of the upset - no one likes to feel like they're worthless! If they've sent you a script, and you have a line, then they shouldn't be referring to you as an extra (i.e. I agree with Shaun O'Banion ). Also, the treatment may have been as a non-union member on a union shoot. I've often been ignored by SAG actors on set. Then again, even as an extra, I try to introduce myself to everyone I can so they know me by name by the end of the day LOL! I just want people to remember me fondly and want to work with me again, regardless of my title.
However, I think we all know how quickly things can change, and talent is often the last to know, so actors have to be more flexible than anyone else. It's a fine line, taking the jobs that are best to advance your career and rejecting those that waste your time. Ultimately, I don't think you can be sure until hindsight. The best you can do is trust your instincts, honor your commitments, and reward those who do right by you with loyalty.
What has been your experience since this original post? Any new insights?