Wisdom of the Working Actor: Navigating Your First Day on Set

Whether you’re a performer just starting out or are returning to the screen after a hiatus, your first day on a new set can be stressful, and it’s important to be prepared for whatever may happen. 

To explore what to expect, the SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement hosted Wisdom of the Working Actor: Your First Day on Set on Dec. 6. The session featured a panel of experienced film, television and commercial performers, including SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair, National Board member Shari Belafonte and actors Assaf Cohen and Armand Vasquez. SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Actors/Performers William Charlton served as moderator. 

Panelists drew from their personal experiences to discuss ways to prepare before stepping on set, adapting to sudden changes that may happen during filming and best practices for on-set etiquette. 

“Every set is different and the people you interact with could be the loveliest, most wonderful kind people, or they could be under a lot of stress,” said Cohen. “Remember to be on your best behavior because someone who you don’t know [could be] an executive producer or they may be the [partner of] the showrunner. So, get to set early, be nice to everyone, be prepared and be polite.”

Panelists also provided advice on reviewing your contract, handling additional paperwork and what to do when faced with issues during work. 

To watch other panels, visit sagaftra.org/videos.

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters.