How To Book a Co-Star Role - Riffin' With the Professor

Описание: There are tons of resources for actors to seek out tips and tricks to raise their game. Unfortunately, they are mostly in books. Well, good thing MidCity’s resident professor, James Rees, is here to save the day.

Legendary acting teacher Constantin Stanislavsky once said, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” And he has a point. Every role is crucial to the progression of the plot and the ending resolution. Of course, you have the stars of the show, who have the bulk of the lines and get to do most of, if not all of, the really cool stuff. Then you have the supporting characters that are there to act as the comic relief or give the leads the main plot point that sends them hurtling towards the resolution. After them you have the guest stars and bit roles, commonly lumped into the category of ‘co-star’. These are your roles whose sole purpose is to make sure the scene keeps moving. They receive their cue from the star, say their piece, and hand off the dialogue baton to the next actor. Their job isn’t to steal the scene, blow critics away, or make a name for themselves, it is simply to do what was said before; move the scene along.

These are usually characters who are ‘types’, as they are called. They are cops, electricians, clerks, cashiers, dog walkers, etc. The list could go on. These are great roles for actors to book if waiting tables and tending bar isn’t what they want to do to pay the bills. Plus, you get to be on set, learn first hand, and work directly with the stars. Not a bad day job.

Just like when you audition for a lead role, the casting director wants you to do a great job because that means that’s one less job they have to do and the product (the episode) is one step closer to being complete. You have become a valuable part of the process, and all you had to do was walk and talk at the same time.

Notice how I didn’t say ‘think’. This is not a thinking role. There is no need to dive deep into backstory and intention with your taxi driver. If you do, that’s when you cross over from ‘director’s best friend’ to ‘director’s worst nightmare.’

Now, you may be thinking, ‘I went to school for four years and am eyeball deep in loan debt all for two lousy lines and you don’t want me to GIVE?’ Fair enough. But we say, keep plugging, keep reciting, and soon you will get to go out for the juicy stuff.

And if it helps, keep in mind this quote as well as Stanislavsky’s, this one from actor Dabs Greer, “Every character actor, in their own little sphere, is the lead.”

Thanks for tuning in and we’ll catch you next time on “Riffin’ With the Professor”

MidCity Productions

This episode was presented and written by James Rees. Graphics, animations, photography, and editing by Brett Mogavero of Mogue Studios. Title card designed by Solvi Haugseth. Directed by Solvi Haugseth. Produced by Jayde Lovell

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