Lights, Camera, Action!

Dose of Prose

When I was younger, every summer I would go to an acting and arts camp where I would paint, sculpt, sketch, act, improv, sing, etc. Fun fact, my dream career growing up was that I wanted to be an artist. I still enjoy drawing in my spare time, and tried to participate or audition for local plays back in my hometown, but I always considered the arts as a hobby for me and never actively pursued the field. After moving to Los Angeles, where the heart of entertainment exists; however, my curiosity for the camera has increased and I will admit that I wouldn’t mind some screen time at some point in my life. After visiting a few motion picture/entertainment companies and observing the process of how sitcoms, films and talk shows are made, I now have a greater appreciation and interest for the entertainment field. I truly did not realize how many long hours are involved and seeing everything come together is pretty awesome.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a pilot screening of a TV series and I also was a studio audience member on a talk show and both were experiences to remember to say that least. I wanted to talk about what really goes down behind the scenes and some of you even requested that I discuss expectations and any tips on becoming ‘camera ready.’ Well folks, asked and answered. Here’s what to expect when on set at an entertainment production company:

The Experience: Sitcoms vs. Talk Shows

First I want to go into the main differences I noticed between the filming of a sitcom vs. a talk show. As I mentioned earlier, I attended a pilot taping of a sitcom that will air on ABC in the near future. The show is produced by Kerry Washington and Fred Savage – both big names in the industry. The show is so new that it doesn’t even have a name yet…but just to give you a brief synopsis, the show is based on a real life story of a pastor, his wife and their children.

Since it is a sitcom, the emphasis of course is on laughter. When I arrived to CBS, checked in and went to the studio where the pilot was filmed, there were mics everywhere in the audience. It was essentially my job to laugh and make any ooohs and aaahs whenever necessary. Some scenes were filmed multiple times (I’ll get into this later), so we were told to keep our energy/laughter consistent because they were meticulous about the comedic timing. Basically, they didn’t want ‘haha’ one minute and ‘HAHAHAHAHAH’ the next. Especially if it was the same scene. Although the filming lasted several hours, it was a fun and interesting experience! I’m also a Scandal fan, so seeing Kerry Washington in real life was the icing on the cake. When I find out the details of when the show airs, I’ll be sure to let you know.

In terms of the talk show, that was a completely different can of worms. I’m sure you’ve seen or heard of Oprah, Dr. Phil, Wendy Williams, Ellen…just to name a few. Well, I had to the chance to be a studio audience member of a similar show called The Real. If you’ve seen this show, you know that it’s like a cross between Wendy Williams and Ellen, aka, lots of gossip and lots of dancing….which is basically what I had to do. Unlike the pilot screening, the emphasis was on looks and not laughs. What I mean is that the dress code was very strict and once I checked in and entered the studio, producers came around with cups, making us spit out our gum if we had any. We had to sit up straight, take off all hats and jackets and were instructed to make every move and expression larger than life. Throughout the filming, we had to do a lot of standing up, sitting down and clapping (both syncopated and regular applause). The experience was a lot more interactive with the hosts, where the sitcom screening was more formal and not as personable. Additionally, the cameras would frequently pan to the audience. Basically, if you want to be seen, be an audience member for a talk show, if you want to be heard, be an audience member for a sitcom. The show I went to was pre-filmed and will air May 22, 2019, so turn on your TV screens and watch The Real to see a familiar face! wink wink

What to Expect – Do’s & Dont’s

1. Timing is an approximation, not an exact representation.

Be patient. Get ready for long lines and to be herded around like cattle. Understand that security is tight, which makes sense since lots of celebs and high-profile folks are around. If you are impatient and don’t like being told what to do (I am both, but still enjoyed myself lol), this type of experience might not be for you. You will receive an email with what time to arrive and how long the filming will last…take these times with a grain of salt. Arrive early, but expect things to run over. For the sitcom taping, I had to arrive there at 3:30pm and I was there until after 10:00pm and they still weren’t done! They told me the taping would only last 4 hours which was not the case at all. Plan accordingly.

2. You’re not watching TV, you’re making TV – take your role seriously.

At the talk show filming, some parts were filmed out of order and some clips had not even been made yet, but we had to pretend as though we had seen it already and laugh/clap. The hosts/actors feed off of your energy, so put your best foot forward! I know being in the audience sounds small and insignificant, but trust me, it is important and makes a difference. Do you think I thought a scene was funny after seeing it filmed for the 6th time? No. But I had to laugh anyway and act as though it was the first time I had heard it and as if it was the funniest thing anyone has ever said to me. That’s what acting is all about: taking on a character/role and making it believable so that the viewer can connect with the character on an emotional level. What I’m trying to say is, have fun, but take it seriously.

3. Every studio experience is different.

The environment of the CBS taping was completely different than the one at Warner Bros. For example, CBS was strict on phones, when WB wasn’t and WB was strict on dress code when CBS wasn’t. Each lot had its own way of doing things and protocol that we had to follow. Basically, don’t expect your experience at Paramount to be the same as Sony. Each entertainment company has its own brand so try to adapt the best you can.

• Do: abide by the dress code. It’s better to be overdressed than undressed.

• Don’t: expect the VIP experience to be that different than general admission – there are perks of course, but it’s nothing fancy.

• Do: bring a +1 or book to pass the time and keep you entertained while you wait. The check-in process is tedious. Bring snacks and water (they may provide dinner and have snacks, but it’s best to bring your own because it’s not guaranteed).

• Don’t: having something planned that could potentially conflict with the timing of the filming. Give yourself wiggle room in case the filming takes longer than expected. If you have to leave early, just keep in mind that the check-out process is just as long as the check-in process.

I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any further questions about being a part of a studio audience, leave a comment below. For now, I’ll stick to the corporate life, but one of these days you might just see me alongside your favorite movie star on the Oscars red carpet, haha. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Until next time,
Kaamilah