for a student film a lady emailed me back saying..

"We are interested in casting you as an ensemble cast member.....you will have screentime"

What exactly IS an ensemble cast member? And screentime...does that mean I'm just an extra without lines?

Also, she said to bring two outfits without logos. Solids are best. I'm not sure what kind of outfit..like jeans and a shirt?

I've never really heard the word ensemble used for film. I usually hear it concerning theater and in that case, it usually means the background, like the tree, flowers, etc. and it usually means no lines although you could be singing/dancing as part of the group. I would imagine that if she told you ensemble for a film it basically means background and probably no lines. The outfits she told you to bring are standard for background work ie: no logos etc. You can bring any solid shirt/sweater and a few options for pants or jeans. Dont bring white or red. They wont let you wear those colors. They usually like browns, blues...muted colors. Sometimes background players are bumped up to featured or principal roles. If she told you that you would have screentime, then maybe you will be featured which means you may not have lined but will be prominantly shown. We've done stuff like that before and it may still be fun for your child to be on the set and no doubt a good experience. Good luckl!

A featured role is where an actor has 1 or more lines but could be easily cut from final version.

Anything less is just extra work.

See Bonnie Gillespies column on billing.

Glossylips- I'm guessing ensemble is extra work if you have never done it before its a good way to learn how a set operates -- just don't make a habit of it!! Have fun

Bonnie Gillespies column on billing

http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/2005_02_21.html

thank you actorsmommy and castlerock! I think i may since i have no experience with it and I want to see what a set is like.

she said something about how the scene is a dance off and a food fight? Should I ask about this, to see if there's a chance of getting dirty?

thanks so much for the information!

also, if she said I have on screen time does that mean i'm a feature? Because featured is a one line or more part I thought. So technically it is an extra right?

yes if there are no lines--- its an extra

in this business, i've only heard the term ensemble used in two ways:

1. in a stage musical, these are the people who are not leads or supporting. the other related word (synonym?) is chorus.

2. whether on camera or on stage, "ensemble cast" is used to signify that there are multiple characters and they all have fairly equal standing. meaning, there are no clear-cut leads, supporting, etc. so everyone will basically have the same number of lines.

chances are, if someone used the term "ensemble" when refering to a film, it may not be someone you want to work with. if they actyally mean that it's a scene with a lot of extras, that is NOT "ensemble" unless it's a musical on film (like HSM in most of those songs in the school).

sounds like she has no idea what she's talking about and is trying to make her film sound more impressive than it is, but is instead making herself look naive and unprofessional.

it's up to you. i would be careful considering her lack of knowledge of the industry and the fact that this scene seems like there's a potential for danger or lack of safety.

regardless, congrats! it does sound like someone not knowing how to convey that it's extra work, but if you are just getting started, and you have some assurances that it will be a safe environment, then go for it!

thank you! i think I will overlook this film and look for another. I want my first set experience to be professional.

get her to clarify what she meant before you completely pass it up. she could be a freshman film maker (think 18 or 19 yrs old) and just really not have a clue. she may not have gotten to the point where they teach students about the industry, tho i think most actors who have done student films will tell you that it appears as though NO film program teachers their students how to be professional.

you are always allowed to ask for the script before accepting, students will usually give it to you. and then ask where you will be involved.

you can also ask her if someone is choreographing the dance scene and if there is a fight or stunt coordinator for the food fight.

but not all student projects are bad. you can find good ones. and sometimes, the ones that seem unprofessional from the start end up being professional once "on set." so just ask her some questions before you say no.

alrighty.

quote:

Ensemble means screen time, extras are just bodies and are just there,
we actually need everyone to be involved in the scene.
Screen time means your face will be on screen, not out of focus or far away, but you be on camera. Food fight=mess, so there is a chance you may get ketchup or mustard on your shirt, but this is going to small food fight, if we have on at all, we most likely will have confetti fall from the ceiling.

And she did send me the script and even some pictures from the set already

I hope you do it Glossy, just because she used the wrong term does not mean anything maybe she is a musical theatre major and happened to use the wrong word. It does not mean she is unprofessional, student films are just that students doing it to learn so go throw some food and have fun!!!!

She could have meant "featured extra". I would say do the scene and some fun.

lol I guess I should consider it.