When I was a younger man, at the tender age of 20, I made my first trip out to Los Angeles to audition for several films as well as take in the sights. While on the plane ride from St. Louis to LA, I kept thinking I was in a dream. I had envisioned this city many times before, and the excitement upon landing was so thick I felt everyone around me could feel my aura vibrating from anticipation.
After meeting my good friend from high school at the airport, her and her mother began to show me around the city. After talking for few hours, they quickly informed me that the next day we would be going to a taping of a Comedy Central show. Now, the show only aired a few times, but the excitement of being in a live TV audience was palpable.
To say the least, it wasn’t what I expected it to be. While it was fun, it was also quite boring – actually, there were several people who walked out in the middle of filming. If you are thinking of being a member of a TV audience, please take a moment to read through the following advice so you are well-prepared.
Waiting in Line – Arriving at the Studio:
It seems that every facet of filmmaking involves a lot of waiting. If you are short on patience, this may not be the ideal way for you to spend your afternoon. Upon getting information regarding the filming schedule from one of the many websites that offer up-to-date information for TV audiences (typically the film’s studio website), you must arrive at the studio. Arrive at least an hour early to ensure your seat – bring something to keep entertained, such as a book or a hilarious friend. You will wait in line outside of the studio doors for a while. As you wait, a production assistant will come out, greet you and rest of the audience and get your name.
Finding Your Way to Your Seat:
After you wait outside, you will then be guided throughout the studio lot to the particular stage where the show is being filmed. Take this time to look around you and get a behind-the-scenes look at a real-life TV and film studio. While every studio is slightly different, you will be required to follow a production assistant, and photographs are always strictly prohibited.
Waiting Some More:
Once you’ve arrived at the filming stage, you will be showed to your seat. There is typically not assigned seating, and for the best view (and to possibly be on TV) try to select a seat within the first two to five rows of seats. After you’ve secured your seat, guess what you’ll do next…that’s right, you’ll wait some more. During my stint as a TV audience member, after finding my seat, my friend and I waited for an additional 1.5 hours before anything exciting started to happen. Again, bring something to keep you busy throughout this time.
Fake Laughing:
I have to be honest, watching your favorite comedians or TV stars working is always exciting; however, the excitement can quickly wear off – especially if the show you’re sitting in on is not live. Expect to sit through countless takes, which are due to the actors forgetting their lines or the director not being happy with a particular shot.
While the first time you hear a joke, you will genuinely laugh – the hilarity of the situation quickly wears off after seeing/hearing the same joke five times; however, you will be instructed to laugh as if it was the first time you heard the joke every time. Use this opportunity to brush up on your forced laughing skills, which will come in handy in future gigs as an extra or actor. Eventually, they get the scene and move on, but expect to spend at least five hours on set listening to the same jokes over, and over, and over, and over, and over and over again.
What NOT to Do:
Obviously, don’t commit to an afternoon of filming if you are unable to stay for the entire duration. Do not drink a lot of liquids before arriving as you will have limited, if any, opportunities to use the restroom. Don’t bring a portable gaming devices, and keep your cell phone on silent or turn it off. Lastly, don’t make noise when you’re not supposed to. I remember a man coughing throughout a really good take, but due to his noise, they had to redo the scene (AGAIN!), and he quickly was the most disliked person in the whole room.