Acting : What not to do if you want to have an acting career by Natalie Lauer

While doing research for a pilot I read that the Chinese find American's laughable for a tendency to tell the truth to others when there is no direct benefit in doing so. Take it as a sign that I am finally Americanized, but producing my shorts really sorted out those due to whom I am confidently moving on to a feature, and those I'll never work with again wearing a producer hat. You should feel offended, as it's due to this behavior of others, the unknown actors aren't trusted with parts. As I work on my shorter list of production rules, below are a few biggies not to do; you are welcome to add yours. There is a casting breakdown at the bottom. 1. DO NOT BECOME KNOWN AS A LIABILITY Film production is an expensive team sport. Every minute costs hundreds to thousands of dollars, regardless if you are working for a credit or scale pay. But the main wrinkle on the producers' mind is LIABILITY. It's rare that your issue is so important that a producer should pay attention to you instead of monitoring keeping people safe on set. If you break the cardinal rule and become a risk, endanger yourself and others by doing what I've actually seen happen and of course not limited to: come up to people from behind, cat-call crew while they are concentrating on their jobs already working long hours, walk off set while production is still responsible if you for example get run over, do not sign a release after provided with one yet keeping yourself on set (feel free to add your experiences) - I wish your Hollywood career all the best but never again working for me. 2. BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME Put in the time the acting craft demands. If you show up to your call time unprepared for your role, not remembering the lines, you literally just spit on every member of the production crew, casting, agent, mentors who trusted and supported you. I am a very loyal person, so disrespecting my people is an end to our collaboration. You are like a rockstar getting onstage to a full house unsure of the song. Assuming you wanted the role when you auditioned for it, and it's not a part where you get booed, WORK harder at your performance. There is a reason why everyone wants Meryl Streep, and it's not her good looks. Winging it works only at KFC. 3. DO NOT BE A DISTURBANCE The PA's aren't your assistants and the cast aren't your audience. Concentrate on making your performance great, and respect others by limiting unrelated bs during the shoot. Do not pretend you've landed at an industry networking event, where you get to touch people, flirt, exchange contacts because you can't wait to do this after you wrap, seek personal go-fors. If you don't want to be on set - please just sign out. I wonder how quickly I could recast to a better acting experience and similar physical features holding a respect and dedication to the craft. 4. YOU ARE AT AN ON-THE-JOB INTERVIEW Film crews and fellow actors work multiple projects, and if you prove yourself a true professional they are your best path to ongoing work through direct hires and referrals. It works the other way even quicker. If you talk trash, spread rumors, are unpleasant or in any way unprofessional, you have multiple eyes on you, irreversibly quick spreading a black mark in this very small pool. Ask yourself, if you are adding value to the production as often as possibly while you are on the set. 5. MY SET IS NOT A THERAPY COUCH My credentials for listerning to others end at maybe using something I hear for character development. I'd much rather sit on my TV couch eating bonbons, maybe pay attention to my family, possibly buy a new car with the money I personally invest in production... and last but not least - write. You can't afford me as an unlicensed therapist, and I get offended at apologies and attempts to use personal issues as excuses on my short time. I only want your feelings to come through when the director calls "Action." Feel free not to appreciate any of this, and burn as many bridges as it takes. But it's the worst feeling is when the phone doesn't ring and you'll never know why. As The Lords and Other Creatures heads to our principal photography wrap, I acknowledge the talent and the hard-work of my amazing team.