What is it like to regularly work in support of the series regulars? As I mentioned above, a few wonderful actors (who spend more time on sets than some series regulars do) were kind enough to share a little info about the job of the recurring guest star and what they’ve observed about the series regular life.
“Being a guest star is very much like being the new kid at school. Only this is a super cool school! The cast and crew are (usually) extremely kind and generous. As a guest star, you are a big part of that episode’s story line. Almost like an honorary series regular for the week! Most series regs recognize the importance of guest stars and it is really amazing to work opposite some of the biggest names in television.” — Lindsay
“Support the story and the regulars. Be on time to the studio; be on time to the set. Do not make people wait for you because you can’t be found, because you are on the phone, or the CrackBerry.” — Kathryn
“If I am on the set for a day, I keep a low profile. I don’t complain about anything even if I think I need more makeup or a different style. I’m a hired hand and I just do as they say, learn my lines. and try to figure out how to turn the air conditioning off!” — Twink
One of my favorite actors — Tara Karsian — shared the following information with me and my writing partner Blake Robbins when we were conducting interviews for our book Acting Qs: Conversations with Working Actors. “We, as actors — especially when we’re guesting on shows — our job is just to go on the set and do the best work and not be the pain in the ass. These actors who want to discuss character for three hours, it’s like, ‘That’s homework, folks. Do it at home and don’t waste our time.’ There’s nothing more boring to me than watching an actor come on a set and want to talk to the director. ‘You’re a guest actor. You were hired for a job because you did the job well in the audition. Do what you have to do before you get on the set.’ My mother was on a show and I was teasing her once because I had come to the set to get something. It was a Monday morning and the guest actor was walking on the set and my mom went up and introduced herself. She said, ‘Now, the stage manager is over there. He can answer any questions. Craft service is over there. Let me take you over.’ I said, ‘Hey, Cruise Director Julie McCoy, what are you doing here?’ She said, ‘You mark my words. When you have a guest on a show, if you’re a series regular on that show, Tara, treat them as if they’re a guest in your home for a week.’ I will tell you, Tony Danza was that way. The lead on the first job I did stood up when we walked into the room. He introduced us to each of the cast members. Friday night taping, there were flowers in all of our dressing rooms from him. He was an absolute gentleman. How wonderful for that to be my first job! This is how it should be.”
“I always love guesting on a show during its first season. It means that a lot of industry are watching to see how it is turning out. This has happened for me on Boston Public, Nip/Tuck, and My Name Is Earl. I’ve gotten a lot of work from those shows and been able to meet some amazing casting directors! The worst part of the whole ‘guest star world’ is having to leave at the end of your run. The cast and crew become like family. Or better than family! I mean who else hangs out with the same people for sometimes 14 hours a day? So, it can be hard to say goodbye. But in the end you realize it’s okay. This town is very small and you are sure to run into everyone again at some point. And that also should remind you to mind your Ps & Qs. No one likes a diva!” — Lindsay
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Originally published by Actors Access at http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/000779.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.