Day Players: A Hidden Door into the Film Industry
What happens when a crew member gets sick, or there’s no assistant to the assistant, or an extra’s flight gets canceled, and they can’t make it to set on time? It’s Day Players to the rescue! Day Players are an essential part of a film shoot and can provide new creatives hoping to enter the industry the perfect way to gain experience and make connections. It’s not the most glamorous job in Hollywood, but it will certainly bring you one step closer to that red carpet.
So, if Day Players are so important, why don’t we really hear about them?
When job postings for Day Players go up on LinkedIn or other job websites, they are often under the term “freelance” rather than “Day Player.” Job postings for these positions also tend to be more prominent on production-focused hiring websites, such as Staffmeup.com.
That being said, Day Players usually are freelancers who take over the responsibilities of a sick or otherwise absent crew member, much like how substitute teachers take over the duties of the classroom for a day or two. Without the substitute, the entire classroom would fall apart, as would a set without Day Players filling in the cracks.
The job description of a Day Player requires you to be willing and able to learn quickly and pull long hours. Usually, Day Players are extras in the back of a scene or a waiter with one line as they serve dishes to the main characters. Day Player positions also extend behind the camera. One day you’ll be a photographer, the next a boom operator, and the next, you might be grabbing coffee for the director. Whatever is needed, you will be asked to do. This may sound daunting, but it provides a fantastic way to learn about set life’s various aspects.
Although being a Day Player full time might mean you’ll be eating microwavable ramen for a little while longer, the position does have a significant amount of perks, especially for young content creators hoping to break into the industry while making some money in the process.
Since most Day Player positions only last a few days, you will be continuously exposed to diverse, ever-changing opportunities that will help you find your place. It also exposes you to a variety of companies and exposes companies to you and your skills. If you love them, and they love you? Great! You may have a full-time job by the end of the week. If you don’t click? That’s great, too! The low commitment, short-lived aspect of being a Day Player allows you to move on quickly from not-so-great experiences.
Being a Day Player also allows you to communicate and network with people from different fields at different stages in their careers and develop relationships. They may not need another full-time crew member right now, but you’ll be on their radar for when they do, and with your diverse skillset from your many Day Player experiences, they won’t have a problem finding a place for you.
So, how do you get one of these mysterious Day Player jobs?
As I mentioned, websites such as Staffmeup.com are catered to creatives who are looking for production-related jobs. Facebook groups, such as Women Working in Reality TV and NY TV People, are also fantastic places to connect with others and ask questions. You can also scour LinkedIn, message any connections you may have, and apply to whatever comes your way. You can customize alerts on LinkedIn to inform you whenever a job posting is made. I would recommend turning on notifications for positions such as “freelance artist,” “freelance photographer,” and other similar job titles.
As sets begin to pop up again across the country, many crew members might not be comfortable returning to a full-time schedule or have to take days off for testing or isolation, opening the door for Day Players to fill in the gaps once more. We all have to start somewhere, and a few days on set here and there as a college student on summer vacation is not too shabby. Being a Day Player is a fantastic supplement to those unpaid internships that I know everyone is searching for.
Make some money, gain some connections, add to your resume, what’s not to like?
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