I Wasn't Expecting These Lessons on a Gus Van Sant Set
- Neil Mulac
- 11 hours ago
- 6 min read
When I was cast as FBI Special Agent Patrick Mullaney in Dead Man's Wire, I expected to learn from one of cinema's most respected filmmakers. I expected to observe, to perform, and to leave with a deeper appreciation for the filmmaking process. Dead Man's Wire, directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Gus Van Sant, tells the remarkable true story of Tony Kiritsis and the 1977 hostage crisis that captivated the nation. The film features an exceptional ensemble cast, including Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo, Cary Elwes, Myha'la, and Al Pacino.
What I didn't expect was just how many lessons I'd bring home—not only about acting, but about collaboration, preparation, and the kind of environment that allows artists to do their best work.
As actors, it's easy to think every new project is simply another credit. In reality, every set is a classroom. Whether you're working on your first independent film or a major studio production, the habits you build and the attitude you bring with you matter.
Here are ten lessons I learned while making Dead Man's Wire that I believe can help actors at every stage of their careers.
Check out the blog post [Film Set Etiquette Guide for Actors] for more.
1. Great Sets Begin with Great Leadership
One of the first things I noticed on set had nothing to do with cameras or performances.
It was the atmosphere.
The tone of a film set starts with the director. If the director treats everyone—from the lead actor to the newest production assistant—with equal respect, everyone else tends to follow suit.
That collaborative spirit creates psychological safety, something every actor needs, whether they're starring in the film or delivering a single line.
For workaday actors like myself, imposter syndrome can quietly creep in. Am I prepared enough? Do I belong here? Am I holding everyone up?
A director who leads with kindness doesn't eliminate those thoughts entirely, but they become much easier to ignore. When the environment is calm, respectful, and collaborative, you're free to focus on what matters most: telling the truth.
2. Preparation Never Goes Out of Style
Every actor reaches a point where experience can become a trap.
After years of training and countless auditions, it's tempting to think you've graduated from the fundamentals.
You haven't.
This role reminded me to return to the basics. I dusted off my GOTE worksheet—Goals, Obstacles, Tactics, and Expectations—and analyzed the script the same way I did years ago in drama school.
The more experience you gain, the more you'll realize that mastery isn't the absence of fundamentals.
It's returning to them consistently.
The best actors never stop being students.
3. Research Creates Opportunities You Can't Predict
Actors often ask how much research is "enough."
My answer is simple.
Do more than you think you'll ever need.
Before filming, I spent several hours speaking with a real FBI Special Agent I know personally. We discussed hostage negotiations, bureau protocol, investigative procedures, and how agents think under pressure.
None of that research guaranteed it would appear on screen.
But then an opportunity presented itself.
During filming, there was room to explore my character's understanding of Tony Kiritsis' psychological state. Drawing on everything I'd learned, I began outlining his behavior on a chalkboard.
That moment ultimately became one of my favorite scenes in the film.
Research didn't make that scene happen.
Research prepared me for the moment when collaboration invited it.
4. Collaboration Is Where the Magic Happens
People often imagine legendary directors as controlling every tiny detail of a production.
My experience couldn't have been more different.
One of the qualities that impressed me most was Gus Van Sant's willingness to listen.
Ideas flowed in every direction.
Actors contributed.
Crew members contributed.
Everyone was invited into the creative conversation.
The chalkboard sequence only existed because three ingredients came together:
Thorough research.
A willingness to improvise.
A director who valued collaboration.
None of those elements alone would have produced the same result.
Great filmmaking isn't about protecting ideas.
It's about discovering better ones together.
5. Improv Training Pays Dividends on Film Sets
I've taught improv for years, so I already believed it made actors better.
After working on Dead Man's Wire, I believe it even more strongly.
Improvisation isn't about being funny.
It's about listening.
It's about responding truthfully.
It's about remaining flexible when something unexpected happens.
Many directors—including Gus Van Sant—embrace discovery from take to take. The script remains your foundation, but performances evolve through genuine interaction.
Actors with improv experience tend to adapt more naturally to those moments.
They listen better.
They stay present.
They build with their scene partners instead of simply waiting to say their next line.
Those are invaluable skills on any set.
6. Learn Your Frame Without Slowing Down Production
Technical awareness is part of being a professional actor.
You should know where the camera is.
You should understand your marks.
And you should know your framing.
But there's also an etiquette to learning those things.
One excellent tip came from Cary Elwes.
If you want to know where the edge of the frame falls without interrupting the crew's workflow, wait until the camera isn't rolling. Then make eye contact with the director of photography or camera operator and place your hand where you believe the edge of the frame is—often somewhere on your torso during closer shots.
They'll subtly signal whether you've got it right or whether you need to adjust.
It's quick.
It's respectful.
And it allows everyone to keep moving efficiently.
7. Great Cinematography Doesn't Always Look Busy
Many newer actors associate bigger lighting setups with better filmmaking.
That's rarely true.
Watching cinematographer Arnaud Potier work reinforced an important lesson.
The goal isn't to use the most lights.
The goal is to use exactly what's needed.
A carefully chosen lens combined with thoughtful, motivated lighting can communicate emotional truth far more effectively than an elaborate setup ever could.
Trust your cinematographer.
If they're exceptional, they're shaping your performance visually in ways you may not fully appreciate until you see the finished film.
8. The Best Networking Happens Naturally
One unexpected gift of filmmaking is the relationships you build.
Long after the premiere, it's the friendships that remain.
I've known Daniel R. Hill, who portrayed Jimmy Kiritsis, since college. Our fellowship was sealed long before Dead Man's Wire.
But during production, I also formed lasting friendships with actors Michael Ashcraft, Todd Gable, Mark Helms, and Cary Elwes—my fellow police officers on screen.
More than a year after wrapping, we still talk regularly.
Careers come and go.
Film releases eventually pass.
The people you meet along the way often become the most meaningful part of the journey.
Treat every person on set with kindness.
You never know which professional relationship may become a lifelong friendship.
9. Shared Humanity Breaks Down Barriers
Film sets can feel intimidating, especially when you're working opposite accomplished actors you've admired for years.
One thing surprised me.
Parenthood levels the playing field.
When two parents start talking about raising children, celebrity disappears remarkably fast.
You're no longer thinking about résumés or awards.
You're simply two people comparing sleepless nights, unexpected joys, difficult moments, and the realization that—even with all the challenges—you'd happily choose the journey again.
The lesson extends beyond parenting.
Find authentic human connection.
People respond to sincerity far more than status.
10. Kentucky's Film Industry Is Built by People Who Care
Working on Dead Man's Wire also reminded me how far Kentucky's film community has come.
The Commonwealth's growing reputation isn't accidental.
It's the result of passionate artists, dedicated crew members, forward-thinking legislators, production professionals, and advocates who believed Kentucky belonged on the filmmaking map.
Programs like the Kentucky Entertainment Incentives have helped attract productions while showcasing the state's remarkable talent and locations.
Every film made in Kentucky represents years of work by people who believed it was possible long before the cameras arrived.
I'm grateful to every person who helped make opportunities like this one possible.
One Final Lesson
Dreams do come true.
They just rarely arrive on the timeline we imagine.
If you're pursuing acting because you expect fame, you'll probably find the waiting unbearable.
But if you're pursuing acting because you genuinely have to tell stories...
...because you love the craft...
...because you can't imagine doing anything else...
Then you'll keep growing through every audition, every class, every rejection, and every set.
Success in this profession isn't measured only by the projects you book.
It's measured by the artist you become along the way.
Working on Dead Man's Wire reminded me that no matter how many years you've been acting, there's always another lesson waiting for you on the next set.
And that's one of the things I love most about this profession.
Join the Conversation
What is the most valuable lesson you've learned from working on a film set—or, if you're still waiting for your first opportunity, which lesson surprised you the most?
Share your thoughts and favorite self-tape tips in the comments below.
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