Never ignore the assistant

The Words of Wisdom for today are never ignore the assistant. Casting and production for stage and screen depend on the services of a whole army of often lowly paid helpers. They should never be ignored or treated in an arrogant way. I have seen performers with nothing more behind them than three years in an accredited drama school treat the people who are there to help them with total disregard, as if they were a lower form of life.

First of all it is simply bad manners. It's easy for actors to get an inflated idea of their own importance and to forget how much they depend on a whole team of people. Treat people on their quality as people, not by the importance of the position they appear to hold. A little bit of success can easily go to your head and it's important to keep your feet on the ground. The studio cleaner deserves a 'Good morning.'

Secondly, assistants may have little power but they can wield a great deal of influence. In the discussion at the end of a casting session, the assistant's opinion that you are too far up yourself to remain visible might be fatal to your chance of getting the part. A pity you weren't more friendly towards them on the way in.

Thirdly, assistants' careers progress. Every powerful agent, director or casting director had to start somewhere, as a student, or a fourth assistant or a casting assistant. Sometimes this can happen remarkably quickly: you will open a Sunday paper and see that someone you met when they were a film school student is touted as the new directing talent of the year. I myself have taught and cast people, as teenagers, in plays, who within a few years were award winning actors or directors. You may have got a part in a fringe production or showcase and invited agents and casting directors and been disappointed that you got no response. They are busy people with many calls on their time, but did you think of inviting an assistant? They would be much more likely to be able to come and they will certainly appreciate the invitation.

So, never ignore the assistant.