written by Juan Ayala
Whether you’re the leading actor, a crewmember or a background actor (more commonly referred to as an ‘extra’) working in entertainment can be exhausting, though many see it as glamorous or cushy. You have early morning hours, late nights and doing the same thing over and over that it feels like you’re stuck in a time loop. Production often keeps you well-fed, hydrated, and plenty of small breaks in between scenes and set ups, but it’s never enough to fully recharge. There are copious amounts of coffee and energy drinks guzzled down when you start to nod off.
People.com recently reported that Riverdale star KJ Apa was involved in a car accident after falling asleep at the wheel. The car reportedly hit a lighting pole and was totaled after the passenger side of the car was nearly destroyed. This was all after a 16-hour work day on the set of the hit CW show, so understandably the man was exhausted. Riverdale films in Vancouver and the young Canadian actor lives nearly an hour away from the set. THR reports that it is a WBTV policy that actors must provide their own transportation to and from set. A source close to Riverdale production told THR “They’re working these kids from the morning until night... someone’s going to die.” The full People.com article can be read here.
That last quote is almost verbatim what Michael Rosenbaum said about a similar incident when working with Tom Welling. You may know the two actors as Lex Luthor and Clark Kent, respectively, on the WB show Smallville. The two recently caught up on Rosenbaum’s podcast ‘Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum’ and talked about the cast’s concern with Tom’s health because his long work days and lengthy commute. “All of the Smallville actors wrote a letter to the studio because we were scared for Tom’s health,” said Rosenbaum in the podcast’s intro. “He used to have to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, drive himself, work 18 hours. We thought he was going to die.” The actor did end up getting a driver from the studio for his 2-hour commutes back home after his co-stars voiced their concerns.
I’ve worked as a background actor on many sets over this past year, worked 12-14 hours a day and the principal actors are there before us and often leave after us. Yes, it’s a well-paid job and you’re well taken care of but such short amounts of sleep can have a negative impact on one’s health. My commute from New York back home to Connecticut, by train, is anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours and I’m fortunate enough to have the luxury of sleeping on the train. Studios often give the cast, principals and background actors alike, safety rides to the closest subway, or one of the main stations like Grand Central, Port Authority or Penn Station. Productions in Los Angeles, Vancouver or Atlanta, where Marvel Studios now films the majority of their projects, don’t have the convenience of a mass public transportation system. So, actors often have to provide their own transportation, adding hours on to their long workdays.
A statement from WBTV said, “If any cast or crew member feels tired or unsafe any time after working, the Studio will provide a taxi, a driver or a hotel room upon request. This is communicated to all cast and crew.”
We all know the comments section of YouTube or Facebook can be... toxic. Some people blame the actor and saying things like ‘you should’ve taken a nap before driving’ while not knowing the circumstances of the situation. Others fully blame the studio for not providing transportation on late nights, but according to WBTV’s statement, the actors knew the procedure should they feel too tired to drive. Overall, this situation was completely avoidable and luckily no one was severely injured in the accident.
Are you an actor or industry member that's had a similar experience? What are your thoughts on the situation? Let's talk! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Whether you’re the leading actor, a crewmember or a background actor (more commonly referred to as an ‘extra’) working in entertainment can be exhausting, though many see it as glamorous or cushy. You have early morning hours, late nights and doing the same thing over and over that it feels like you’re stuck in a time loop. Production often keeps you well-fed, hydrated, and plenty of small breaks in between scenes and set ups, but it’s never enough to fully recharge. There are copious amounts of coffee and energy drinks guzzled down when you start to nod off.
People.com recently reported that Riverdale star KJ Apa was involved in a car accident after falling asleep at the wheel. The car reportedly hit a lighting pole and was totaled after the passenger side of the car was nearly destroyed. This was all after a 16-hour work day on the set of the hit CW show, so understandably the man was exhausted. Riverdale films in Vancouver and the young Canadian actor lives nearly an hour away from the set. THR reports that it is a WBTV policy that actors must provide their own transportation to and from set. A source close to Riverdale production told THR “They’re working these kids from the morning until night... someone’s going to die.” The full People.com article can be read here.
KJ Apa as Archie on The CW's Riverdale
That last quote is almost verbatim what Michael Rosenbaum said about a similar incident when working with Tom Welling. You may know the two actors as Lex Luthor and Clark Kent, respectively, on the WB show Smallville. The two recently caught up on Rosenbaum’s podcast ‘Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum’ and talked about the cast’s concern with Tom’s health because his long work days and lengthy commute. “All of the Smallville actors wrote a letter to the studio because we were scared for Tom’s health,” said Rosenbaum in the podcast’s intro. “He used to have to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, drive himself, work 18 hours. We thought he was going to die.” The actor did end up getting a driver from the studio for his 2-hour commutes back home after his co-stars voiced their concerns.
I’ve worked as a background actor on many sets over this past year, worked 12-14 hours a day and the principal actors are there before us and often leave after us. Yes, it’s a well-paid job and you’re well taken care of but such short amounts of sleep can have a negative impact on one’s health. My commute from New York back home to Connecticut, by train, is anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours and I’m fortunate enough to have the luxury of sleeping on the train. Studios often give the cast, principals and background actors alike, safety rides to the closest subway, or one of the main stations like Grand Central, Port Authority or Penn Station. Productions in Los Angeles, Vancouver or Atlanta, where Marvel Studios now films the majority of their projects, don’t have the convenience of a mass public transportation system. So, actors often have to provide their own transportation, adding hours on to their long workdays.
A statement from WBTV said, “If any cast or crew member feels tired or unsafe any time after working, the Studio will provide a taxi, a driver or a hotel room upon request. This is communicated to all cast and crew.”
We all know the comments section of YouTube or Facebook can be... toxic. Some people blame the actor and saying things like ‘you should’ve taken a nap before driving’ while not knowing the circumstances of the situation. Others fully blame the studio for not providing transportation on late nights, but according to WBTV’s statement, the actors knew the procedure should they feel too tired to drive. Overall, this situation was completely avoidable and luckily no one was severely injured in the accident.
Are you an actor or industry member that's had a similar experience? What are your thoughts on the situation? Let's talk! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.