This advice is not just for actors, it can be easy to be confused on set depending on where you need to be and it is important to have some understanding of basic set etiquette before you find yourself working on set in Hong Kong. Production is the most important part of working on set, so the less you interfere with the production part of the set the better for you and that does not mean that you can’t talk to anyone filming or shooting on set, but be aware that time is crucial as you stand in front of the camera and not to waste their time or yours. It is good to also remember that if you are not in front of the camera, stand away and out of your peers' eyelines.
Many actors really don’t care if there are other actors or other people on set visiting, but they don’t want to see you or them while they are working. Having some stranger peering at them, right in their line-of-sight can be really distracting, you will have a better understanding of this once you start working more on set in Hong Kong. It is also recommended that you avoid hogging the video monitors too. Most of the time the best rule of thumb is to just stay away from ‘Video Village’ where the monitors are set up for the director and producers to watch the filming. On a few rare occasions, you may be invited over to watch but be unobtrusive. Be invisible and it will certainly be appreciated.
Know that you will probably only get one rehearsal in Hong Kong. Don’t think that just because you had 15 weeks of rehearsal in college for a production that that is the norm. If you are working on a one-hour drama or a single-camera, you will most likely get one tiny little rehearsal, and you will be working with people you have never met before. You will say a brief hello to the director (who you probably saw at the callback), and who is extremely busy, and then you will run through the lines with the other actors at the location. They will discuss blocking, talk briefly about the scene, and then do a “marking rehearsal,” where the crew comes in and they figure out where everyone will be standing so they can set up the lights. That’s right, dozens of eyes on you. Be confident and act like you have been doing this forever.
Know your lines backwards and forwards. Inside and out in Hong Kong. Nobody else will, but you must, as you are the guest and you won this job over many many, many actors. You can be replaced easily. They might change your lines, they might cut them. Be ready for anything, and don’t take it personally. There will be so many distractions on set as it (elaborate camera moves, trying to hit your mark, finding your light) and if you aren’t secure with the lines, you will waste valuable time. You will probably get one or two takes of your shot. If you mess up a line (please don’t), the script supervisor will shout out your line for you. They are now your new best friend in Hong Kong.
Don’t change anything! When you show up on set in Hong Kong, do exactly what you did in the audition and the callback but be very open to direction. Do not over think it and please don’t meet with a coach after you have booked the job, suddenly deciding to make big changes to your character. It’s a “one and done” role and you are there to serve the story, that is your job as an actor. If your line is “More water for you, sir?” do not come up with some detailed backstory about how you just found out your best friend died of cancer and suddenly decide you should be crying in your scene.
Understand, it’s not about you on set in Hong Kong. Four years of drama school? Nobody cares. Won the audience award at your hometown “film festival” for your performance as Stanley Kowalski in an updated “Streetcar” musical? Doesn’t matter. You are one of many small characters here to fill the world of this TV show. It’s about the series regulars, their storylines and you are there as a peripheral character, that is unless you happened to have landed the series regular role. As Harold Guskin said, “Don’t make a meal out of a snack.” Know your place in the hierarchy, be a total professional, don’t complain and don’t overthink your lines. Nobody cares about your character’s backstory, or why Momma didn’t pay attention to you growing up. Don’t expect a standing ovation when you finish. Most of the crew are ready to go home and go to sleep. No feedback is good feedback here.
Be sure to look over your contract. In the chaos of a film set, actors hurriedly sign the contracts in their dressing rooms in Hong Kong and assume it is right. Though you really should take the time to look over your contract, because half the time it is not right and make sure it is stated about what you and your agent agreed on in terms of rate and billing for that production.
Also make sure you are hitting your mark. If you don’t, you will be out of focus on the camera. It’s that simple. They put colored tape marks on the ground so they can focus the camera on that particular spot. You want to be in focus when you get your big closeup, right? You are expected to hit that mark without looking at it. This takes skill. Pay attention to your frame. If it’s a closeup, don’t be a flailing chicken in your acting. If it’s a master shot, flail all you want. The other shots you need to know are “over the shoulder”, “handheld,” “two shot”, “medium closeup,” and “tight closeup”. Learn them and master them. Knowing your frame will allow you to calibrate your performance accordingly and give the editor some great footage to choose from and therefore better footage for your reel.
Don’t complain and say thank you to everyone in Hong Kong. You are tired, understandable. You’ve been waiting six hours to get to your scene. Don’t ever complain though. You are so lucky to be there. Remember, everyone’s been there longer than you, especially the makeup artists. When you wrap, say thank you to everyone, especially the writer and director. They will work on other projects and will remember your professionalism. They will also remember if you were a total diva and ruined everyone’s day. Send a “thank you” card to the casting director. They are the ones who brought you in in the first place.
