Tips for Becoming a Seat Filler at Awards Shows

Tips for Becoming a Seat Filler at Awards Shows - PSSST, over here! We have to keep our voices down, this is a secret. You must pinky swear never to tell another soul. If word of this got out it could decrease your chances of attending a star studded event. No fooling, you could really find yourself sitting next to an A list celebrity at an awards show. There are companies out there hiring regular folk, much like you and me, to fill seats in a number of television arenas. Talk shows, Sitcoms, and yes, even the coveted Award Shows. That's right we're talking shows like the Daytime Emmy's, American Music Awards, SAG awards, even Soul Train. With the exception of the Oscar's, which is staffed by employees, everything else is up for grabs. In an effort to maintain it's larger than life image, the entertainment business realized empty seats bode poorly. Seat filling is TV's version of the padded bra. The first 10 rows of awards shows are critical areas. Filled with Celebs and their guests, these rows are constantly panned by cameras. In order to give the appearance of full seats, the seat filler will "sit" in while the celebrity accepts an award, or does something totally human like go to the bathroom. In this case you're job is to keep it warm. On occasion, the planets will align in your favor and a celebrity will be a no show. In this case that seat is yours for the duration.

Before you go grabbing your "fancy star meeting clothes", let me give you a few more details. You can't just show up expecting to get in, this is an actual job requiring an application and a resume. You won't get paid in any monetary sense, and travel expenses are not reimbursed. Payoff for this is derived solely from the value you place on such an experience. That being said: here's what you need to know.

Signing up to become seat filler is not a guaranteed ticket to an awards show. As with most jobs you may need to work your way up. This is done by committing to smaller events, and following a few simple rules.

1. Fill out an application and choose the shows you would like to be considered for.

2. Once you have been selected for a show, you have to actually go .Don't blow it off and don't be tardy.

3. Dress accordingly. In most instances a dress code is strictly enforced, no adherence translates to no admittance.

4. Speak only when spoken to. You can't start yucking it up with Denzel Washington unless he initiates it.

5. The whole point of seat filling is to make the home audience believe the seats are filled with "beautiful" people. As beautiful as you may be that autograph book and camera had better stay in the glove compartment.

6. Bring your patience and a thick skin. You may have to hang around in a back room waiting for a seat to empty. Occasionally too many fillers are chosen and you may not be needed. It's not personal, it's Showbiz Baby!

7. Less is more, bring only what you can carry. Usually there is no designated area for seat fillers to store belongings.

8. Pay close attention to the dates of shows you have chosen. Sometimes notification of acceptance is short notice. Allowing for only a few days available for preparation.

9. Follow the signs. Just because you're all dressed up, rubbing elbows with the stars doesn't mean you'll get star treatment. You got a ticket to the show, not a backstage pass. You won't be admitted to restricted areas.

10. Eat before you go, they won't be feeding you either.

There are two leading companies in the Seat Filling business, Seat Fillers and More, (www.seatfillers.com) and Audiences Unlimited Dynamic Peoples Club (www.audiancesunlimited.com). Between the two they fill seats for the majority of events ranging from TV tapings to the Grammy's. Both accept online applications. The application process requires a resume, photo, and an introduction letter explaining why you feel this is a position right for you. Try to avoid telling them you faint every time you see an Elvis impersonator. Instead play up your ability to gracefully exit a row of seats without violating well pedicured toes. Good Luck, keep the secret, and I'll see ya in Tinsel Town.

Sources:
www.seatfillers.com
www.audiancesunlimited.com
http://articles.latimes.com/2001/mar/24/entertainment/ca-41930