5 Lessons I Learned Working on a Holiday Blockbuster

When I got the call that I’d be playing the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come in Spirited, the holiday musical starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, I was hype. I had no idea what I was really walking into — but I knew I was stepping onto a massive set with A-list stars and a full-blown production schedule. And let me tell you: the experience taught me more than any acting class ever could.

Here are five lessons I learned while filming a holiday blockbuster. Some are about the work, some are about the people — and one of them is about the food. (Trust me.)

Lesson 1: Be On Time — Always

Let’s start with the simplest (and maybe most important) lesson: be where you’re supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there.

On the first day of shooting, I got handed a call sheet. I had only seen one before. It’s basically the blueprint of the day — what’s being shot, where, when, and who needs to be on set. Here's the thing: I didn’t know how to read it. It looked like a spreadsheet mixed with a foreign language. I had to learn fast.

There’s no time to be confused or late on a big set. People are counting on you — hundreds of them. Lighting, sound, costumes, props, camera teams — all waiting for you to show up ready. Your call time is your report card. Being late isn’t just unprofessional, it’s expensive for the production.

I learned. I asked questions. I studied how to read those call sheets like a pro. And I was never late. Ok that’s a lie. But when I was late ( that one time )…people were pissed. So just don’t it.

Lesson 2: Move Like the Vets Move

I was lucky to share space with legends on this set. Ryan Reynolds. Will Ferrell. Patrick Page. These guys were masterclass material every single day — and not because they were trying to teach. Just by watching them, I picked up more than I could’ve imagined.

They stayed loose between takes, joked around, kept the vibe light. But when it was time to work? Boom — focus, precision, presence. They hit their marks. They didn’t sweat the mistakes. They trusted the process. I took mental notes the whole time.

To me, they were mentors — and they didn’t even know it. The way they carried themselves was calm, efficient, confident. They respected everyone around them. And they knew when to turn it on and when to let go. Watching that kind of professionalism in action was magical.

If you’re new to set life, here’s my advice: watch how the vets move. Not just the stars, but the lifers — the crew members, the ADs, the camera ops. They’re the heartbeat of a smooth production, and they know things you don’t even know you need to know.

Lesson 3: Take Care of Your Body

Filming a big-budget movie isn’t a walk in the park. It’s early mornings. It’s night shoots that run until 3 a.m. It’s waiting for hours…then being expected to nail your scene in one take.

You have to be sharp — physically and mentally — whenever the camera’s on you. No excuses.

There were days when I was in the Ghost suit for 10, 12, even 14 hours. It was heavy, hot, and I had to move with precision inside it. My body was under pressure every single day. So I trained. I stretched. I ate (mostly) right. I got rest when I could. And still, some days kicked my ass.

But I showed up ready. And that matters.

Take care of your body. Because when you’re called, you need to perform — tired or not, hungry or not, sore or not. This isn’t just about vanity. It’s about endurance.

Lesson 4: Learn Everybody’s Name

You want to know the secret to making your time on set better? Learn names. Not just the stars, not just the director — everybody.

The PAs. The camera ops. The makeup artists. The guy who runs sound. The wardrobe team. The grips. Learn their names. Say hi. Ask how their day is. You’ll be surprised how much you learn just by being nice.

I met some of the coolest, most talented people behind the scenes. And when you treat people like people — not just crew — they open up. They share tips, stories, experiences. They help you when you’re lost. They root for you.

I honestly think this is a life lesson in general, not just a film set thing: learn names. Be kind. Be present. You never know who’s watching — or who might end up helping you get your next gig.

Lesson 5: Just Because the Food is Free Doesn’t Mean You Should Eat It All

Okay, I had to end with this one. Craft services? Next level. The food on this set? Insane. We had everything — pasta bars, carving stations, dessert spreads, and snacks on snacks on snacks. Every day was like a cheat day.

And look…I went a little too hard.

After four months of shooting, I’m not gonna lie — my costume was tight. Like, tight-tight. I had to laugh at myself. Lesson learned.

Just because it’s free doesn’t mean you need three plates. Especially when you’re in a fitted costume.

That said… shoutout to the catering team. Yall crushed it.

Final Thoughts

Working on Spirited changed me. Not just because it was a huge project, but because it taught me how to show up — professionally, physically, and personally. These five lessons might seem simple, but they’re the kind of things that stick with you forever.

So if you’re lucky enough to step on a big set — or any set — remember: be on time, move like the vets, take care of yourself, respect the crew, and maybe… maybe… skip dessert once in a while.

Just once.