What is the difference between a day player and a co-star role?
Well, nothing really.
A co-star refers to the 𝗦𝗜𝗭𝗘 of the role. A day player refers to the type of 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧.
𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕣𝕤 (𝕚𝕟 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖) 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕔𝕠-𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕔𝕠-𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕣𝕤.
Deciding which co-star roles are “day player” roles comes down to an assessment of the script and ultimately, a locked DOOD.
This is why, for a co-star role, you might be pinned longer than you would be for a guest star role.
We are (usually) unable to send out an offer without a locked board.
This is to ensure we don’t underpay or overpay anyone before knowing the shooting schedule.
It’s easy to assume that a co-star role that only appears in 1 scene might be just a 1-day role.
However, there are countless instances when that particular scene was a more complicated setup and required multiple shooting days.
If a co-star role works 2 days, you might even be offered a 3-day co-star role as the monetary difference between 2 consecutive workdays are comparable to that of a 3-day co-star role.
If the board suggests you will be working for more than 3 days, you’ll be placed on a weekly contract. And any days worked beyond a daily, 3-day or weekly contract will result in additional pro-rated days (more $$!)
In short, we typically don’t call roles “day player” roles as we won’t exactly know whether that role works one day until we see (at least) a prelim schedule.
This is why it’s so important to tell your reps if you are not available for even ONE of the days in the span of dates that surround an episode.
You could very easily be scheduled on that ONE day. And if you’re not available for it? Well… yikes. That’s a whole post for another day.
#themoreyouknow #thecastingdirectorscut #terminologytuesday #actorlife
Related reading: What Is a Featured Role? Does It Pay More?, What Is a Recurring Role in TV? Recurring Guest Star Explained and What Is a 10/13 Series Regular? Guaranteed Episodes Explained.
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