Feature Film vs Holiday

Chris Bain
Actor

Hey all,

So I don't normally post in the forums but usually read the various topics with great interest and it's clear that amongst the actors on this site you have some great experience and offer great advice. I need some of that advice now.

Recently my hardworking agent managed to land me a role in an hotly anticipated feature film shooting shortly. The conundrum that I face is that I have booked and paid for a family holiday to Florida and New York which coincides with the shooting dates. Basically I can either go on holiday or do the film - I cannot do both. Also, due to the size of the production there's no way the dates can be altered in any way, shape or form.

A few notes about my role: it's basically a featured role, no lines but I appear in key scenes, the character is named and will appear in the credits and IMDB too.

The thing is, I have just completed my first year acting professionally and I believe that this is a big opportunity for me and the benefits of doing this could be massive. However, saying that, the holiday is a one off and something I have saved for for the best part of a year.

I genuinely have no idea what to do. So over to you, the talented people of CCP, what would you do?

Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks and all the best,

Chris.


  • 8 years ago
  • 2,147
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User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Hey Chris,

Sorry to hear about the conundrum you are currently facing. Due to the nature of our job, it can be very frustrating to book events/holidays in advance only to find out a week(s) before departure that it clashes with a last minute pivotal shoot.

Can you recuperate any money from the holiday you paid for?

P.A


  • 8 years ago
  • 1
Jeremy Reece
Actor

It is an old adage. Want a job - book a holiday! Toss a coin. Heads one option, tailsthe other. BHow do you feel about the result? If happy you know you want that option, if sad, you know that isn't the option you really want t, so go for the other. It ay least tells you what you really want to do.. And as Phillipe said, if you do the film and can get money back on the holiday that would help the financial decision.
Another factor. If you go for the holiday, will your Agent react badly?


  • 8 years ago
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Julia Lacey
Actor

Hi Chris, you say it is a family holiday. How do they feel that you may not go with them? If they don't mind could you not see if any other family member might want to go instead of you and give you the cost or at least some of it. Personally at your age given it is not a speaking part I would go on my jollies. Best of luck with your decision making and I hope you are happy with your choices. Julia


  • 8 years ago
  • 3

But it's a non-speaking part! What's the point of that - it won't be any use on your show reel. Roles will always be there - your family won't.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, of course.
Good Luck.
Sue


  • 8 years ago
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Ah - the opinions of two women - quite different from the men, eh Julia?


  • 8 years ago
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Julia Lacey
Actor

Lol Sue very true. See you soon :) XXX


  • 8 years ago
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I agree with sue, non speaking part to me is worth nothing so holiday it is plus I would be asking my agent why am I being put forward for non speaking if that was the case I would join an Extras agency if I wanted that work unless the job is paying loads?
Enjoy your holiday


  • 8 years ago
  • 7
Chris Bain
Actor

Guys, thanks for your replies, I appreciate you all taking the time to respond!

Yeah, personally I only want to do principal or supporting roles but the money offered to me for this is fairly good for only a few days work which is why I'm considering it, it's certainly not extra work though as that is not something I'm interested in in any way.

I'm still not too sure what to do as of yet but will keep you all updated!

Thanks again,

Chris.


  • 8 years ago
  • 8
Vicki Glover
Actor

Hi Chris :)

It's difficult to say whether it's a good opportunity without knowing specifically what it is - I guess you can't post the details on here, but could you pm them?

I think I would probably be going by a) which opportunity is more once in a lifetime (are you likely to get a role like this again soon vs are you likely to be able to go on a similar holiday again) and b) whether the money you will be earning covers any losses you would be making.

Feel free to pm me and I can give you my opinion on what I would do :) but ultimately I would say go with your gut. Whichever feels like the right course of action probably is :)


  • 8 years ago
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Hi Chris, far I know when there are no lines, you are considered as extra(Correct me people if I got this wrong), key-scene or else, does not matter. So if you are investing on a career as extra which is unlikely considering your training ,one would say go for it, however as you are investing on an acting career this can be a tempting trap and fuel for a confusing credit list. So if you are determined to become an actor, I would say just enjoy your trip. There are so many unwritten rules within the industry and this is one of them, NEVER JUMP ON A EXTRA TRAIN, IF THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR YOUR CAREER GOAL:)


  • 8 years ago
  • 10

...Cause once you be listed as extra, you be remembered of some as such, and rumours travel quickly within the industry. Enjoy your vaccation, come back write and make a short with yourself as lead with your mobile if you have no pro camera etc, You need help with composing the scenes, or script surgery here I am.


  • 8 years ago
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Vicki Glover
Actor

I would say there's a difference between an extra role and a non-speaking acting role; not sure I'd be able to specify what makes the difference, but I would say there is one :) possibly how important the character is to the story? Silent Bob only has one line in all the Jay and Silent Bob films ;) (I think!)


  • 8 years ago
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Sheila Kaur
Actor

Something similar happened to me in June this year and well i took the holiday. Time you cannot get back with your family.

However, that said, the final decision lies with you......


  • 8 years ago
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User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Go Go on holiday! Non speaking!....... is he a deaf and dumb acrobat like Burt Lancaster's mate? Go. BC


  • 8 years ago
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Oh Vicki thanks, I had not considered that. Of course it should make a difference. Chris we may should ask you how much they have offered? If it levels what you have paid for the holiday, I believe it's still on the edge and not worth sacrificing the holiday. If you still have time contact a coach on Spotlight or the Actot's centre, even Equity I would suggest if they provide pro coaching advice


  • 8 years ago
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Cia Allan
Actor

If it's a non speaking role then it sounds as if the 'featured' nature of the role would be more of a 'featured supporting artiste' unless you are playing a character role who says nothing for a specific reason and whose involvement (and acting skill!) is crucial to the story. Have you seen the script, and did you audition for the role?

If there are no lines, then it's useless for your showreel and how would you prove that you were engaged as more than a featured supporting artiste?

Btw, being a named character on the script doesn't necessarily guarantee you an IMDB credit. Just being in a production doesn't qualify you automatically. The only people who will be on IMDB will be the individuals who were screen-credited in the original release. Also, individuals who worked on and/or are only credited in a home video version don't get a credit. Also if your scenes were to get cut from the production, there'd be no credit.


  • 8 years ago
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Chris Bain
Actor

Hey all,

Thanks again for all the replies and input, I really appreciate it! I've decided not to take the role, not just for the holiday but for the fact that I want to focus on landing principle and supporting roles and not what is essentially background work.

Thanks again and all the best!


  • 8 years ago
  • 17

Good decision.
Have a lovely holiday.
Sue


  • 8 years ago
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Julia Lacey
Actor

Have a wonderful time Chris :) X


  • 8 years ago
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Vicki Glover
Actor

Have fun :)


  • 8 years ago
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