Casting Director Renee Godbout offers some helpful tips on ways to behave on television and movie sets.

Both extra and principle actors need to remember acting is a job. You may be surrounded by bright lights, cameras, and big time actors like Brad Pitt or Will Smith, but it's still a job. Your first day on-set should be like your first day on any type of job, and it's important to stay professional and make a good first impression.

Arrive early.
A good first impression starts with being on time or even better, early, for your call time. A call time is the time that various actors are due on set to perform. When you receive a role, you will be given your call times. If you live somewhere like New York City or Los Angeles where traffic is always heavy, give yourself plenty of extra time to get there on time. Traffic isn't a valid excuse to be late since everyone on-set has to deal with the same traffic.

Check in frequently..
Once you arrive on set, check in with production and report to whatever location they recommend to wait for hair and make up. If you're an extra, you'll be going to holding and waiting there for further instructions. Either way, make sure someone in charge knows where you are at all times. Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to track down an actor. Shooting a film or television show is unpredictable and you never know when they might need you on-set. Holding up the entire production while you run out to get a cup of coffee is not recommended.

Keep your cool.
Never approach a lead actor on any set and ask for their autograph or a photo with them. They are on the set to do a job and any distraction from that will only hurt the production. Paparazzi follow actors around all day so the set should be a place where they can relax and concentrate on the scene. Imagine if someone kept taking your photograph and asking for your autograph while you were in the midst of typing up a report for your boss.

Respect the director.
The director is the number one person on set, and whatever he or she wants is golden. Simply put, listen and follow instructions. For extras, that includes the assistant director who is pointing out where you need to be. Trust that these people are paid to know what they are doing and questioning why will only aggravate them. No one knows what other responsibilities someone has when they aren't working directly with you.

Watch your wardrobe.
Pay attention to color restrictions when you are providing your own wardrobe. If someone tells you not to wear green, make sure you don't. There could be a scene where a green screen is used, and suddenly you won't have a body on camera. Also, cameras react strangely to crazy patterns, so unless you're in a movie set in the 1970s, you might want to stick to bold colors and solid prints. It is especially important not to wear clothes with noticeable labels unless you're doing a commercial for a certain brand.

Respect the director.
The director is the number one person on set, and whatever he or she wants is golden. Simply put, listen and follow instructions. For extras, that includes the assistant director who is pointing out where you need to be. Trust that these people are paid to know what they are doing and questioning why will only aggravate them. No one knows what other responsibilities someone has when they aren't working directly with you.

These are a few ways you can get an edge on the competition. A professional demeanor and being easy to work with are some of the top things that can make sure you're asked back on set for another project!

Renee Godbout - Freelance Casting Director. Renee Godbout recently worked on the first season of The CW's popular teen show Gossip Girl at Grant Wilfey Casting. Some past projects include 2 seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the pilot for Dirty Sexy Money, and the upcoming Jonathan Demme-directed Dancing with Shiva.