I will be on a TV show tomorrow night at 10pm. The Defenders. A law firm drama set in Vegas, filmed on a sound stage in The San Fernando Valley. The feeling of shooting was nice, easy and familiar. I like going to work. It's nice to be needed on a set. It's nice working out how a scene is going to play with fellow actors while the crew watches anticipating their plan of attack.
I brought with me a student and it was his first experience on a set, ever. Plenty of stage time but no set time. It was nice to be reminded of the splendid chaos of filmaking through a newbie's eyes. He was quite verbal in his overwhelm. He had no idea so many people worked so closely, and so fast, to accomplish every shot on a "film" set. His first comment was, "There are so many people!" And the set was friendly. The mood was happy. Jerry O'Connell is a very generous guy. He keeps it light and keeps it moving.
I do this kind of thing because I remember how overwhelming acting on a set was due to the feeling that just the set community was so daunting. It's difficult to deliver when you're faced with the enormity of the new experience. Some set time can knock that edge off and allow you to put out good work within the confines of your arena. Get on sets to just to be on them. Take in the rhythm of how things come together. See what every person does to make our magic moments get caught on film. Feeling like you belong is sometimes tough for actors, add on a set where a crew is in motion and the rehearsal process is sometime non existent and it can make you want to quit on the spot. You will help yourself to atleast know how the thing works and how you fit in.
Set time when you're not acting on the show is useful for more than craft service and hoping to be discovered.