Knowing the Role: Production Terminology For Casting Walk-On Roles

When starting out in the industry, knowing the name of the role you are going for isn't always just the character's name, production has titles for roles to help the production team know scheduling, placement in the scene and even how many lines you may have. Our team has put together a break down of the 'Walk-on' roles that will become a regular term you will hear in your career.

​Picture Courtesy of Liverpool Echo on location shoot of ITV's Victoria

Walk-On 1

A walk-on 1 role, or also known as a Supporting Artist (SA) is the term used for background artists. Many productions need the feel of a busy space. Whether it is a Victorian market or a bustling pub, people need to be in the scene to fill that atmosphere. Walk-on 1s don't have lines, and have very minimal direction in their time on set, but are essential to creating the scene the director envisions.  

Walk-On 2

A walk-on 2 is the next role up on the Walk-On scale.  Walk-on 2's work with the director and the main cast more in a scene, allowing the artist who is filming that part to be seen more in the shot and be more interactive in the scene. Many of these roles include Paramedics on soaps, Bar staff that may be serving the main cast or a group of journalists. These roles are the ones that are a great start for actors as they get to work with the director and show their expressive skills. 

ITV's 'Emmerdale' featuring IPM'S Andrew Goulding

Walk-On 3

A Walk-On 3 is where actors begin getting into the scripted roles. This is a great progression for an actor's career as it gives you the chance to have a spoken credit, but also show more of you ability as an actor. You work with the main cast and with the director with dialogue and direction. During the heyday of American soaps as an under-five, describing the number of lines one could expect in the role. In British television, this may be known as an under-six. These roles are a great starting point for actors as it gives you a speaking credit and experience as a speaking actor.

As your career moves forward and your CV grows, this is when your opportunities can be bigger. You get the chance to have larger roles on multi-episode bookings which are called Supporting Roles (not to be mistaken with Supporting Artist) or even Co-Lead roles. It is a great progression that an actor can make if they put their mind to it and continue to grow their skills for the screen. 

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