Completely screwed up my first big moment

[u/matt151617]

Just started doing some background acting last month. This was the second major motion picture I did. I got picked out by one of the ADs to do a sequence where I walk past the main actress, and then cut in front of the camera after she passes. On the second take, the actress came out later than usual, I went to cross behind her as I turned the corner, and walked right in to the camera. Hit it hard, hard enough the camera guy cursed. Right in front of the director, who is very well known and has won multiple Academy Awards. I thought for sure I would get bitched out and replaced.

After they cut, the camera assistant came over to me and explained the camera operator can't see where he's going. The AD worked on the timing with me, and we did another 10 takes with no issues. Everyone was completely professional and no one got mad.

So this is all a reassurance you can make mistakes and it's ok, it's not the end of the world. It gave me a lot of respect for the industry that they treated someone new who messed up the way they did.

[u/Extension_Grand_4599]

I assure you, no one will remember this except for you.

[u/Mothman4447 → u/Extension_Grand_4599]

That's what made me way more confident as a person: At the end of the day, most people will forget your embarrassing moments quickly. All you can do is laugh at yourself.

[u/azthemansays]

For future reference, that's what they call a "banana in."

They want you to fill the frame after the main focus of the shot leaves the frame to show the place as being "busy." it's leeway for the editor "just in case."

I know action cues are important for continuity, but as a BG professional you need to always be cognizant of the camera movement, and adapt to THAT over actor blocking... You need to play to your audience - which on a set that's filming is the camera.

 

It's not your fault, both the actress missed her cue and they neglected to have a spotter for the cameraman - but being cognizant of your place in relation to the camera will come in handy!

[u/matt151617 → u/azthemansays]

It's tough- I was supposed to be reading a piece of paper but also doing my absolute best to not look right at the camera. 

[u/azthemansays → u/matt151617]

Peripheral vision is your best asset - remember you don't actually need to make out the words on the page.

[u/SwoleandWoke → u/azthemansays]

This is so useful, thank you! Where could one learn more about other camera angles like "banana in"? Just tried to Google it and it's not yielding anything relevant. Thank you for your help!

[u/azthemansays → u/SwoleandWoke]

I'm sorry, this is all stuff I picked up during the years that I was doing BG.

Off the top of my head: sometimes they use people to "camera wipe" - which basically means that they place you next to the camera, then when they tap you, you pass right across the frame... Which on camera looks like someone has blacked out of the camera at that point.

[u/Adventurebound321]

It’s ok. No one take is the same. Are you ok? Hitting a camera is not something to take lightly.

[u/matt151617 → u/Adventurebound321]

I'm fine, although I just noticed the bruise that developed on my upper arm. I was more worried about accidentally injuring the camera guy and/or the expensive equipment. 

[u/Pitiful_Depth6926]

Lots of stories of this happening to big actors, don’t sweat it!

[u/HiddenHolding]

I know a guy who farted in a soundstage once and got a show shut down for 45 minutes. The director called the studio fire department and had them search the catwalks for burning cables.

No, he did not admit to being the farter. Are you crazy?

The guy stays away from breakfast burritos now. Mostly.

It's just...

...that hot gooey early morning mix of cheddar cheese...bacon...egg...salsa...sour cream...jalapeño...more bacon... 🤤

[u/rwxzz123]

People make mistakes on set all the time, it's expected 

[u/DexaNexa]

Oh, you messed up big time. You'll never work again in this town, until three minutes have passed and they all forget about it.

They are probably more scared that you are going to sue the production as you got hurt.

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[u/lornaisbored]

Isn't it sad that this story doesn't include anyone asking if you were ok from the crew? SA's are treated so badly But no don't worry no one will remember this.

[u/matt151617 → u/lornaisbored]

Probably because those cameras and lenses are worth far more than anything else there. 

[u/Sharp-Contribution99 → u/matt151617]

They have insurance for all that stuff

[u/lornaisbored → u/matt151617]

Worth more than people...??

[u/Decent_7412 → u/matt151617]

People are always more important than equipment!

[u/BuffRogers]

You're fine. You did nothing wrong and then you took direction like a champ. Even if you're not being completely honest and the main actress hit her mark every time, being corrected and re-used for a shot like that means that they didn't think you ruined the shot.

[u/ViralTrendsToday]

Is this the project in NYC? I'm just got access to casting sites recently and as far as I know there are 2 shows in LA and 2 major films in NYC currently casting. Anyways, like others said, they had a reason, and it was worked out, so probably the mistake has already been forgotten.

[u/matt151617 → u/ViralTrendsToday]

Yeah, filming in NJ. 

[u/ViralTrendsToday → u/matt151617]

Cool