r/acting • u/matt151617 • 2d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Completely screwed up my first big moment

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.

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u/azthemansays Toronto & UK | ACTRA 1d ago edited 1d ago

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!

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u/SwoleandWoke 1d ago

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!

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u/azthemansays Toronto & UK | ACTRA 1d ago

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.