After reading “LA’s Easiest Job Ever (Part 1)” you’re aware that you can get free swag, make a little extra cash, possibly meet someone you can hook up with, and gain a little insider TV knowledge all while doing Audience work. Now comes the information you really need to know. Be warned, the following facts are all true and may convince you not to get into this shaky business.
The Bad
1. If you come with your friends don’t count on being able to sit together. More often than not the “audience assistants” need to place the pretty people in front of the camera. So if you happen to look like Adriana Lima and your buddy is more kin to Grover from Sesame Street, guess who probably won’t be sitting together.
2. Don’t count on being provided with a meal or cold beverage either. Most shows have what they call a walkaway lunch. This means that the audience members are left to go fend for themselves while the cast and crew enjoy whatever the catering truck has brought to set. Think you can sneak in with the crew? Don’t bet on it. Certain Security guards are hired strictly for this purpose alone.
3. Use the restroom before you arrive on set. This one’s important so listen up! Bathroom breaks are often limited because of the shows taping schedule. It’s not that the director’s want you to pee on yourself, but it becomes problematic when all 150 members of the audience get up to take a restroom break in between shots.
4. Annoying People- Just like at a sporting event there’s bound to be some people shooting off there mouth the entire time your there. Unlike at a Laker game which is over in a couple hours, TV tapings can go on well into the night. While waiting to be seated for the taping, try to spot these people ahead of time. Be on the lookout for people who claim to know famous Celebrities, or those who may try to give you their entire Real Estate investment plan. Neither of these folks have any idea what they’re talking about, and if they did they most definitely would not be wasting their time doing this type of work. It’s rumored that a certain stand up comic had to be restrained from shoving a folding chair down the mouth of a young Valley girl because she consistently blabbered about nothing for over five hours (you know who you are drunk girl).
The Ugly
1. Unless working for a Legitimate casting company, do not expect to be paid in an orderly fashion. As soon as the show is wrapped the audience usually makes a mad dash for the door. If not careful, you could get trampled or at least fall over some chairs. Also, expect people to cut right in front of you while standing in line to get paid. I have personally witnessed two fistfights over this very thing. Long hours, plus being asked to clap over and over again for the same scene can lead to irritability. You’ve been warned.
2. Not getting paid - One of the great things about this job is that you get paid as soon as the show is over. However, if you have a large audience, say 200 or more people. It’s quite possible the casting company could run out of money. You think they would prepare themselves for such a scenario right? More like they don’t care. On the rare chance this does happen, most companies will have the money readily available the next day. Although, I talked to one individual who had to wait an entire week to get $50 bucks. Scary stuff indeed.
3. Specs. Specs are the people who wait outside the studios just waiting for people not to show up so they can get in on some of this easy money. Be sure to arrive on set early because even if you’re already on the list, showing up late will pretty much guarantee the chance for a Spec to steal your spot.
As you may have already figured out, this kind of work isn’t for everyone. Sure it’s easy money and you don’t have to do a lot, but the fact remains that there are entirely to many factors that make it not worth your while. Most people who work these shows are either actors who are in between jobs or just those who want to make a quick buck.
But if you’ve got the time and need some easy green, there’s no denying that being part of a paid Audience is by far; The Easiest job in LA.
Photo by da_v_id
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1 response so far ↓
1 Bobbie // May 28, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Wow…sounds easy yet not so easy. The possibility of not getting paid part doesn’t sound enticing either but does sound exciting especially if a fist fight occurs!
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