Bill Prady revealed the title of this episode on Twitter earlier today, so I guess that means I can also reveal it, and perhaps explain why I nearly required medical attention when I opened up the script and saw it.
So it was another awesome day on the set of The Big Bang Theory. We rehearsed the show again this morning, and then we had our first run through for the producers after lunch. This first run through can be really stressful for some actors (including a rookie version of me) because we haven't had a lot of time with the script to get comfortable with the dialog, work out all the comedy beats, and settle on final blocking. I mean, we've only really run it once, and it can feel like putting on an incomplete performance or doing an underprepared audition for people you really want need to make happy.
I've done several run throughs (seven, total, over two episodes) while working on The Big Bang Theory, though, and it hasn't been stressful at all. In fact, it's been a whole lot of fun, and very informative to me as an actor. See, at some point in the last ten years or so, I realized that the writers and producers are working it out just as much as we are, and that they want it to be awesome just as much as we do; this is why we do the run throughs every day until we tape. Knowing this takes a lot of the pressure off for me.
Of course, it helps that the script is very good from the first draft we get. It helps that all the actors are incredibly professional, dedicated, friendly, and easy to get along with. It helps a lot to have a phenomenal director and a crew that seems to be one step ahead of us all day. When the writers and producers arrive, it helps that they know they're making a great show, so they're confident, relaxed, speak with a clear and unified voice, and give specific notes to make our performances better, instead of just giving notes for the sake of giving notes (which has happened to me in the past – not on this show – and was really frustrating, especially when I got five conflicting notes that were just given for the sake of giving them. Yes, I was expected to apply them all, yes, I tried, and yes, we ended up throwing them all out by the time we taped.)
Anyway, the schedule for the first five days of production is pretty much the same: we work all morning with the director (Mark Cendrowski, in this case, who is awesome), show the writers and producers where we are in the afternoon, get notes, apply notes, and do it all over the following day.
So, like I said, for a lot of actors, the daily run through can be stressful. Indeed it was for me when I was young and less experienced. However, I've come to embrace it as an opportunity to not only make my performance better, but to learn a lot about writing and performing comedy by listening and paying close attention to the notes the writers and producers give all the actors, not just to me.
I wish I'd figured this out when I was a younger actor, because I would have been a better actor if I had: there is XP all over the place when we're on the set, just waiting for us to collect it and level. So, actors, listen to me now: When you're on the set, be on the set. Pay attention to everything that's going on around you, because you will constantly be presented with opportunities to learn about and perfect your craft. If you're lucky like me and get to work with some of the best in the business, you're learning from some of the best in the business!
I know that I – and a lot of other people – would pay a lot of money to listen to Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and Lee Aronsohn give a seminar on how to write and perform comedy for television. While we were getting notes today, I realized how lucky I am to be on their set, working on their show, learning from them and getting paid to do it.
Seriously. Awesome.
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Love the XP and level metaphor.
Oddly enough I was thinking in a similar theme, if a different vein. I was curious how far into reality any of the BBT cast’s geekiness goes? And if possible, you ran a D&D session with them.
I think that would bypass Awesomesauce and become Epicsauce.
Again, can’t wait to see the ep!
It’s funny how writing a book is really, in many ways, a solitary experience (for the actual writing) but that acting is best as a collaborative effort. Or so it seems.
Very kewl stuff. Gratz to you Wil!
How awesome is it to have an episode named after you? I can’t imagine…
I thought it would be something like “The Cooper-Wheaton Collision” but this works, too.
Not a showdown with Sheldon yet, then?
Also, thanks for posting the title here, @billprady’s yfrog image is still broken.
Acting is always collaborative, in my mind. Even if you are the only one on stage you still have to “work” with the audience. Actually, the same can be said of writing for public consumption. That’s why authors always have first readers and eventually editors.
I’m very excited. Excellent name.
Congrats on being a recurring character!!
Please tell me that Evil Wil refers to Sheldon as Moonpie again… pretty please?
This beginning stage and the actual real performance day are my favourite stages. One thing that has always really frustrated me however is after table read and lines are memorized and organic blocking is done(I have a crazy memory that not only has all my lines memorized first but the entire script and I can let you know what page a line is on and where from memory) and it is time to start physical blocking, once you are having to start moving and talking at the same time, the words get lost. I know they are in there and it is naturally to forget them once you finally get to your feet but I always beat myself up over it.
Another thing I find frustrating, is when I don’t get notes. The last production I was in, I got so angry and upset after one rehearsal because I got a total of 5 minutes on stage, hand’t run that scene in at least a couple of weeks and didn’t get a single note. Then after when it is time for notes (and I get none) the director said, “next rehearsal we will work and Randy and Jen’s scenes.” And I yelled, “What about my time?!?” but only in my head. I was later told it was a good thing because the director had faith in my ability but yes, I love notes.
I cannot say this enough but dude, being able to do this is freaking awesome. I miss it so much.
Dude, are you seriously beating up on your younger self again? Wil, get it through your head: YOU WERE A KID. Kids make mistakes, they don’t appreciate the same things that we do as adults. Give young Wil a break, will ya? He turned out to be a pretty nice guy. And FYI, you’ve always been a wonderful actor, so I have no idea what the heck all of the beating up your younger self is all about. *Teacher voice: ON* Stop it!
Now that being said, I’m glad that you’re taking in all of the nuances and enjoying the experience of not only working but also being observant of your surroundings. That’s fine to do, but you really gotta cut younger you some slack, man.
Good points!
Sounds like you’re having a lot of fun. I can’t wait to be there on Tuesday (in the VIP section no less) for the taping. My girlfriend Amanda and a couple other friends will be there too. I just need to decide which superhero T-shirt to wear… classic Flash, blue on black Superman, ’89 Batsymbol or my new Green Lantern.
Can’t wait for the episode to air! Can’t wait to see what awesome shirt you wear this time too! So excited for you.
You’re a lucky man, Wil Wheaton. Can’t wait to see you recur! Be nice to moonpie…
Dear Wil, thank you so much for this post! I just recently graduated from the Acting for Film & Television program at Vancouver Film School, and I will hopefully start moving my first tentative steps in the industry before Hell freezes over. I did a few run throughs for theatre performances, and they’ve all been terrifying–although fun. Reading your blog post put my mind a little more at ease. 🙂 Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to see you again on The Big Bang Theory!
buddy c’mon. You know what shirt you gotta wear: Dragonshirt!
S.
Hi Wil! Thanks from another actor! Not at your level yet and time will tell. I really appreciate that you let us know what it’s like from an actor’s pov. So many other successful actors just don’t talk about the process and we actors hunger for that knowlege!
A Note About Your Younger Self: Think of it this way, yesterday Wil loved tomorrow Wil enough to make all those young actor mistakes early! Like, today me loves tomorrow me enough to do the dishes…but I need to have a chat with yesterday me, she was such a bitc…er….bother. 🙂
Loving these updates on the show, Wil! Can’t wait to see the full production diary 🙂
http://www.livingwithanerd.com
I wish we could find a few actors to write some production diaries like Dr. G did with her book How Not To Die. Basically she took her experiences with certain morgue cases and wrote a book on how to avoid death and improve your life. (Very good read by the way.)
Basically, have a few actors take production diaries, come up with notes on lessons learned in the craft or the storyline, and apply them to either everyday life or the career itself.
I’d buy a copy of that book.
Also, have you recieved any shipments of Moon Pies yet?
Acting and writing are the same, except when we write, we’re playing all the characters. 🙂 This has become increasingly clear to me as I take the voice acting class I’m in. (And I’m a writer, not an actor, though ages ago I was a voice talent, announcer division.)
Yay for recurring status! That is awesome news, and good news to balance out my D&D night getting canceled at the last minute. (And I was just about to level!) Awaiting the ep with bated breath.
That's a really sweet way of looking at yesterday Wil. Thank you 🙂
When I heard that Wizards of the Coast were doing a new series of D&D game podcasts with what they called the cast of a popular geek-themed show, I assumed it was going to be Wheaton ‘n The Big Bang Theory.
Haven’t been on a set in *gulp* years. However, reading your blog brings it all back … it’s a sweet siren call.
There is nothing better than working with a great batch of actors/writers/directors. They make the “here and now” very worthwhile, and the fans make the “ever-after” worth all the hard work mean … well, everything.
Damn … you make me miss it. LOL
This is a bit off topic, but I would like BBT much better without the laugh track… It’s so loud and over-the-top I can barely watch the show.
I’ll bet I’m not the only one distracted by it, the producers ought to take a poll 🙂
Whil,
Your post reminded me of an old friend’s blog post re: writers & actors working together => http://www.mckinleywhitehall.com/files/writing_is_a_lonely_task.html <= enjoy whenever! - Brian
I love reading things about the process behind the stuff I enjoy.
For some reason though, I find it really hard to imagine a full cast and crew taking the whole process completely seriously when producing a comedy show.
In my mind’s eye, I see everyone standing around having very serious sombre conversations, then just as the cameras roll, everyone collectively takes a deep breath and puts on their “comedy faces” and delivers. As the cameras switch off, everyone drops back to their serious faces and they discuss the details of what they just did.
Kinda like Krusty the Clown, but without the latent hatred and cynicism.
Hi Wil, I found this comment very interesting: “to learn a lot about writing and performing comedy by listening and paying close attention to the notes the writers and producers give all the actors, not just to me.”
I’ve heard there are some directors who only give notes very quietly to the individual actors, on the theory that the notes are somewhat private and should be kept between them. Do you have an opinion on that approach vs. a director/producer making notes known to all?
Right on! Call it “Zen and the Art of Acting.”
Copied your advice to actors and added to the other fantastic advice you’ve given over the years. One day, when I’m lucky enough to be on a set (of the Big Bang Theory, oh please Almighty Geek Gods), I’ll remember this and be a better actor for it. Thanks!
Yeah. Penny Arcade is awesome, but if Wizards really wanted to hit a mass audience of potential new players then a team up with BBT would work.
Actually, Wil… An episode where the BBT crew (a perfect party of 5 if you include Penny) sign up for a D&D game at the local shop only to find Evil Wil Wheaton as their DM has all the makings for an awesome episode. They players would expect Wil to kill them outright but for some reason someone is watching Wil and his hands are tied and he has to play “fair”… *Insert Slow Motion dramatic montage of eyes wide as D20s are rolled to O Fortuna*
Seconded. I find it’s almost like “Hey, you should have laughed at this bit” while it actually only produced a smile or grin. Then sometimes, I will go “Awesome” while the “audience” doesn’t react at all.
I love Lorre’s notes at the end of the show just as much as the episodes themselves. Hysterical!
Hi Wil, i’m a fan from Portugal, and I must say you belong to one of my favorite masterpieces in movie history, “Stand By Me”, one of my favorite movies, which as inspired me a lot in many ways. Congratulations for your performance!
It happens I also love TBBT, and I assume i’m really jealous you have the experience of working with a crew with such a quality, as we understand from the quality of the episodes and from what you tell us about them. Just a question: any advice for a youngster who would love to work on television, in a comedy show?
Greetings from the other side of the Atlantic 🙂