How To Prepare For Your First Day On Set!
Yes! You’ve been booked for an exciting role on a brand-new production, and your first filming day is fast-approaching.
Soon you’ll be brushing shoulders with the stars, and you’re keen to impress by making a fantastic first impression.
Hang on a minute.
How do you prepare for a smooth and professional debut?
Never fear. Here at Uni-versal Extras, we’ve got all the insider info to help you walk onto set with confidence and prepped just like a pro.
Here is everything you’ll need to consider in preparation for your first big day…
🗺️ Travel Route
First things first: you need to know how to get there!
As soon as you receive your call details*, you’ll know exactly where you’ll be required to check in, so make sure to properly plan your route because you won’t want to be late.
*If you’ve not received your call details by 7pm the evening before you’re filming, give us a call. Call details are sent via SMS!
Perhaps you’re driving, or receiving a lift, or maybe you’re catching a train, tube or coach.
Sometimes, productions will even offer pick-ups / shuttle services from nearby city centres or train stations, so make sure you’re aware of all of your available options and get planning your route!
Apps such as Citymapper, Waze and Google Maps can be a saviour here.
Be mindful that often you’ll be needed for a pretty early call time, so make sure that your mode of transport is running at the correct time so you’re confident and comfortable when it’s time to set off.
We’d recommend checking your route more than once to ensure that no last-minute disruptions could delay you, and perhaps identify an alternate, back-up route just in case.
Being reliably punctual as an Extra is paramount.
Not making it to set for your very specific call time is a fast-track way of upsetting the production team and not being invited back! They are relying on you being on time to ensure a smooth shoot day – you’ll soon learn that big budget productions involve many moving parts and you don’t want to be the cog that stops the machine from running!
🚘 Parking
Similarly: if you’re driving to set, one of your first priorities should be scoping out parking.
Whilst lots of productions around the UK will provide parking, it’s not so common for London filming where they are often a little more pressed for space.
Our casting team will always inform you of any allocated parking if available.
Should you need to find parking yourself, set off with ample time to spare and identify some nearby roads / carparks where you can park up before you leave.
No one wants to be breaking a sweat and panic-searching for a parking spot when arriving to set – this is supposed to be fun!
👚 Costume / Make Up
Another important one!
How have you been asked to arrive for filming? This information is normally included in your Call Details.
Whilst you’re not going to be expected to arrive in full Elizabethan hair and makeup (don’t panic – they have talented MUAs on set for that!) sometimes production will request that you arrive camera-ready – meaning hair and make-up done.
On other occasions, you may be asked to arrive with a fresh, natural face so you’re ready to head straight to that make-up chair for styling.
This will depend on the era that the production is set in – modern day looks will vary drastically from period settings, for obvious reasons!
It’s always important to know exactly what is expected of you with regards to your look on a shoot day – so make sure you’re in the know!
Perhaps you’re an Artiste with facial hair, but you’ve been asked to arrive clean-shaven, or you’ve been asked to bring a particular costume or uniform.
Establish how you’re expected to arrive so you can prepare your look accordingly. 😉
🎒 Pack Your Bag
What should you bring with you?
Great question.
Sometimes film and TV work can mean long days on set, so you’ll want to make sure that your bag is filled with everything you’ll need.
You may want to consider bringing:
| 🔌 | A portable charger for your phone | It’s important to be reachable at all times, so best to avoid running out of juice. Keeping your phone charged also does a great job of keeping you occupied when not filming. |
| 🎧 | Headphones / a Book | Something to keep you busy during filming lulls in the holding area. Bring whatever you’d like – just as long as it’s respectful and non-disruptive to others around you! |
| 🆔 | One form of ID | Handy to have close-by for any administrative concerns! |
| 🍌 | Snacks | To keep stomach rumbles at bay. Great choices include protein bars, fruit, nuts, etc. Catering on set is normally plentiful and delicious, but it’s always best to be prepared. Avoid messy snacks that could dirty your costume if spilled! |
| 💄 | Makeup | In case you need a top-up to maintain your look throughout the day. |
| 💧 | Reusable water bottle | It’s important to keep hydrated so those energy levels stay high. |
| 🧴 | Sunscreen | For warmer months outside, you might consider packing some sun protection. |
| ☂️ | Umbrella | Similarly, it’s always good to be prepared for all weather contingencies. Umbrellas are twofold: great for rain as well as shielding from long periods in the sun! |
| 🧥 | A Jacket | For colder months, or outdoor shoots. Even if a shoot is indoors, on cold days you’ll want to make sure you are warm enough when travelling to or queuing to get into your filming location. |
To be on the safe side, we don’t recommend bringing anything precious or potentially valuable with you to set, as you will spend long periods away from your belongings and we wouldn’t want anyone to worry.
Whatever you do decide to bring, it’s a good idea to get that bag packed the night before so can rest as long as possible before your big day!
📝 Go Over the Ground Rules
Lastly, a professional SA is an informed one.
Do some research, speak to friends who have words of wisdom about performing as an Extra, and devour as much content from the UVE blog as you can.
Familiarise yourself and become comfortable with the process from start to finish.
Some quick tips for your debut as an Extra may include:
❌ Don’t take any photos on set. Leaking spoilers is a big no-no, obviously, but all photography is generally prohibited. As tempting as it may be, productions go to great lengths to keep things under wraps and you should refrain from doing anything that may get you into trouble! Our standard engagement terms can be found at the end of our Terms and Conditions, but these will often be superseded by production specific T&Cs. To avoid legal troubles, don’t take photos and don’t post online about your experiences until after the production is released.
🎬 Be receptive to feedback & direction. Listen attentively to all crew in charge and be ready to work to instruction when given.
😊 Be positive. Moaning is never a good look, and the production team will absolutely notice. Remember: you’ve been personally selected out of many other keen Artistes – you have the 100% go-ahead to revel in it!
🎉 …and most importantly, have fun out there!
Head back to the UVE blog to keep on reading all about life as an Extra?