In December 2010, the Broadway audience watching a preview of the stage musical “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark” saw the webbed avenger poised on a bridge, about to swing through space to rescue his girlfriend, Mary Jane. But as he leaped off the edge, his safety harness flew open, dropping him more than 30 feet to the orchestra pit in front of the horrified patrons.
The show abruptly ended, with the stunt double, 31-year-old Christopher Tierney, sustaining a fractured skull, broken ribs and other serious injuries. But this was just one of a string of injuries to plague the multi-million dollar production, replete with music by Bono and The Edge of U2: other members of the cast suffered a concussion and two broken wrists. In March of 2011, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration slapped the producers with a $12,800 fine for three serious safety violations: unguarded open side floors that lacked fall protection, “improperly adjusted or unsecured safety harnesses,” and a failure to protect actors from moving overhead rigging equipment.
This move was applauded by actors and others around the country, many of whom posted messages of support online. In stage shows and movies where action scenes and violence are more and more realistic and the right precautions aren’t taken, actors and crew members are at increasing risk of injury. In 2008, about 4,100 workplace injuries were reported in the performing arts; in 2009, that number jumped to 5,800 injuries, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
On-screen deaths that are real
In rare cases, those injuries can even be fatal. In a famous case that shook the film industry, actor Brandon Lee was accidentally shot and killed in 1993 while filming The Crow, a movie about a murdered man who comes back from the dead. State safety and health officials determined that crew members broke safety laws by using live ammunition to create homemade blanks. A piece of one real bullet lodged in the gun, and when an actor later used the same weapon to fire blanks at Lee, it killed him.
In another tragic case, actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, Renee Chen, 6, and Myca Dinh Le, 7, were killed on the set of a Twilight Zone episode staged in Vietnam when a helicopter crashed into them in a freak accident. More recently, assistant propmaster Nick Papac, 25, was killed on the set of The Kingdom in 2006 when his SUV collided with an all-terrain vehicle driven by director Peter Berg.
Sometimes actors and crew members are injured even when there are no apparent safety violations. In the role of the returning prisoner in “Ghost in the Cottonwoods” in Chicago, for example, actor Shannon Parr made one jerky movement and grazed his pupil on the spiky branch of a small artificial tree — his character’s homecoming gift. A seasoned actor, Parr stuck the scene out and finished the play that night, but the damage was done.
“I went home and drugged myself to sleep for three days,” he says. It took him a year to recover full use of his left eye.
Besides accidents, actors face the mental and physical stresses of performing: varying levels of voice strain, grueling stress, unrealistic demands on their private lives, and — if they do attain fame — the occasional stalker. National or international acclaim raises the ante: the specter of the pursuing paparazzi can never be far behind.
That’s why professional actors have to grapple with the unglamorous side of a life on the stage, whether it’s in a theater or on screen. Unfavorable movie or stage reviews, rejection by casting agents and directors, and the constant effort to keep in shape for auditions and screen tests can also erode self-confidence and contribute to a poor self-image. But unlike most of us, actors have to shed all this the moment they step in front of a camera or an audience.
All the world’s a hazard
Parr’s accident was not unusual for actors. Maneuvering through hazardous sets and uncooperative props while clad in unwieldy costumes and heavy makeup — not to mention concentrating on your lines — is a skill as well as an art.
“In real life, you don’t have to worry about keeping up the pace and telling a story,” Parr says. “On stage, you’re pacing and blocking. You’re also staying connected with the story. You throw another element like stairs in there, and inevitably something will happen. Somebody’s always falling and hitting their head.”
Slips, trips, and falls happen all too easily on stage, concedes Mike McCann, founder and former president of the now-closed Center for Safety in the Arts in New York City. Costume shoes can be slippery, especially when worn on angled stages. If an actor hasn’t spent enough time rehearsing, she can easily be thrown off-balance. By taking the time to become acquainted with a given stage during rehearsal, (especially if the surface is sloped) you can avoid unnecessary spills. More slips and falls occur when the lights are out and actors have to move around near open trap doors, says McCann. Marking holes in the stage with fluorescent tape, he says, is an easy, foolproof solution.
Reaching for the role
Like professional sports, acting can be physically demanding, so sprains, strains and other musculoskeletal problems are rampant in the acting industry, says Dr. Alice Brandfonbrener, director and co-founder of the Medical Program for Performing Artists of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Over a four-year period, 30 percent of her patients — mostly actors — were diagnosed with low back pain, and muscle and joint problems, according to a study Brandfonbrener published in the Journal of Medical Problems of Performing Artists.
“Acting is a strenuous business,” Brandfonbrener says. “People get a lot of pulled muscles and muscle tension and back problems.” In one unusual example, a patient came to Brandfonbrener after fellow actors dropped him unintentionally. “We see actors who do things onstage they may not be trained for. And some people aren’t in the best shape, or have the endurance and agility they need.”
In addition, staged combat scenes can be a risky business. A fight coordinator usually choreographs most movements in actors’ combat scenes, but a certain number of improvised punches, pushes, slaps, scrapes, and cuts are inevitable. “Even though most actors nowadays have combat classes and are taught how to do it,” Brandfonbrener says, “accidents do happen.”
Actors generally undergo rigorous conditioning to prepare for a new role, but can become injured just saying their lines — hundreds and hundreds of times. An actor can easily strain his voice from hours of rehearsals and performances. Some thespians must endure as many as eight consecutive shows a week. “We see performers who are using their voices in ways that they can’t sustain, or they did something to suddenly increase the use — like yelling — without thinking about proper care or support of the voice,” Brandfonbrener says. “They get hoarse or they can’t talk.” She suggests warming up vocal chords before each performance. A professional voice instructor can also provide instruction on how to change your voice level or pitch effectively for a role.
Exposure to artificial smoke and fog used for special effects can also irritate your throat and lungs, says McCann. Many stage actors complain of respiratory problems, including occupational asthma. Because of these complaints, the Actors Equity Association and the League of American Theaters and Producers sponsored a study to examine the effects of smoke, haze, and pyrotechnics on actors. While researchers found no hard evidence linking these staged effects using smoke with serious health consequences, they suggest that they may cause increased respiratory, throat, and nasal irritation. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends keeping the amount of smoke to a minimum, and using only fog fluids made from food-grade or high-grade glycols because they contain fewer toxic chemicals.
And elaborate costumes may look great on stage, but they can challenge the actor who has to get in and out of them quickly between scenes. Heavy period costumes can be stifling under hot lights; hairy animal costumes can become beastly when they have to be pulled on or off in a hurry. Even the most basic stage makeup can cause allergies. Buddy Epson, the actor originally slated for the role of The Tin Man in the film version of The Wizard of Oz, suffered a severe reaction to the metallic silver paint used in his costume and had to bow out to actor Jack Haley. Actors have developed rashes from wig glue; others have gotten scratches from wearing too little clothing onstage, Brandfonbrener says.
If your throat becomes irritated or skin rashes erupt, you may be showing the first signs of an allergic reaction. It’s best to see a doctor immediately before the symptoms become more severe.
The inner drama
Parr, the Chicago actor, says he recently donned his most memorable costume for a New York production, in which his character suffers from the nerve disorder sciatica and has trouble with his bowels. To simulate feces, an unsavory mixture of baby oil, chocolate pudding, and oatmeal was poured into a diaper and onto his bare skin backstage. “At one point I had to come on stage and change this filthy diaper,” he says. He wiped himself off with wet towels — all in front of a disgusted audience. “It was a gross-out, but it’s poignant to the character. It was sort of a moment when you understand what this character’s going through.”
After enduring scenes like this, an after-work drink or two might seem an appealing way to get away from the job. But daily drinking can creep into problem drinking or even alcoholism in people susceptible to the disease. “By and large, people in theater do not lead a hugely healthy lifestyle,” Brandfonbrener says. “Actors are a pretty high-stress group. It’s their long hours, their hard work, their intensity, and their personality.” And until recently, cocaine and other drugs were a familiar part of film actors’ landscape: Even if they weren’t using them, drugs were as plentiful and available as candy. It’s no wonder that the acting industry is rife with stories about famous stars struggling with their addictions.
Widespread substance abuse among actors is often associated with high stress, which is an inherent part of an actor’s life. Unless you happen to belong to an acting dynasty, maintaining a professional acting career is uncertain. Landing a role depends on each audition and your health, and starting out, pay tends to be low. In fact, on average, actors who belong to the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Actors earn an average of $16.49 an hour from acting, but they are rarely guaranteed more than 3 to 6 months work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Taking on a rough role can also be emotionally trying, Parr says. “I try to get personally involved in my role,” he says, and playing a killer or evil character unearths his own fears and insecurities. “Night after night, that can take a toll on your life. Sometimes you dig up things you don’t normally walk around with.”
Brandfonbrener says these anxieties contribute to many actors’ ill health. But many actors neglect to see a doctor regularly, often because they lack health benefits. According to a study from the National Endowment for the Arts, four out of five artists moonlight to earn money to cover basic expenses, leaving little to pay for medicine, counseling, or health insurance.
This is just what inspired Dr. Barry Kohn to set up free clinics for performers in New York. Physician Volunteers for the Arts has pulled together grants from many organizations in order to provide a staff to tend to performers’ medical needs.
While not all actors have access to free clinics, there are plenty of things they can do on their own to ward off a visit to the doctor’s office. Exercise and activities, such as yoga, can reduce stress and help keep actors in shape without breaking the bank. “Stress has a role in one’s immunity to infection, or lack of it,” Brandfonbrener says. “Stress also causes muscle tension and [so] has a role in increased incidence of injuries.” She adds that actors should also look to each other for support, and seek professional counseling if things get tough.
Why, despite the many downsides, do actors like Parr claim they wouldn’t want to do anything else? The physical and mental skills it takes to move an audience to tears and laughter is both the profound challenge and the reward of acting, he says.
“The ability to take this journey takes a lot of courage,” Parr says. “So does having the ability to make people think and reflect on humanity.”
Further Resources
Artist Help Network
This provides a wealth of resources on health insurance for employees and contractors in the arts.
www.artisthelpnetwork.com
Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
This association was founded in 1913 and is the American labor union representing actors and stage managers in the legitimate theater. There are currently about 40,000 active Equity members. In addition to other services, Equity provides health insurance to its members.
http://www.actorsequity.org
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Established in 1970 by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, NIOSH is a federal research agency that makes recommendations to help employers prevent job-related injuries and illnesses.
800/356-4674
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Part of the Department of Labor, OSHA develops and enforces safety and health regulations in the workplace.
800/321-6742
http://www.osha.gov
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)
An organization of physicians and other professionals dedicated to improving the health care and treatment of performing artists through education, research, and teaching.
Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
Founded in 1927, this union offers many benefits, including health insurance, to its approximately 135,000 members.
323/954-1600
http://www.sag.com
References
Spider-Man Gets Caught in OSHAs Web, March 11, 2011.
Broadway Actors Blast Julie Taymor for Spider-Man Safety Issues, Backstage, Dec. 22, 2010.
“Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actors, Producers, and Directors, 2010-11 edition. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos093.htm
Murray, Rebecca. Nick Papac Suffers a Fatal Injury on the Set of The Kingdom, Aug. 5, 2006. www.about.com.
“The 21st Century and Alternative Medicine: PAMA’s Role,” Alice Brandfonbrener, Journal of Medical Problems of Performing Artists
“More Than Once in a Blue Moon: Multiple Jobholdings by American Artists,” Neil O. Alper and Gregory H. Wassall, National Endowment for the Arts.
“Actors Equity Association. Health Effects Evaluation of Theatrical Smoke, Haze, and Pyrotechnics http://www.actorsequity.org/docs/safesan/finalreport.pdf
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