Working With Celebrities: Do’s and Don’ts

I get star struck. It’s true. I once screamed at a red carpet event, “Oh my God, it’s Alan Thicke!” Joke was horrified. Justifiably so.

For many, seeing a celeb triggers “make a fool of myself mode.” Since we work in a business driven by celebrity, you can’t let this happen to you.

If you end up working with or pitching to a celebrity, these tips will help you keep your cool.

1. DO Focus on the Project at Hand

A celebrity wants the same thing you do: to do great work on interesting projects. That’s how they got to be famous in the first place. Whether you’re pitching a reality television show or making a movie, focus on making the project as great as possible, and let the celebrity become your collaborator and partner. When we first met Ashton Kutcher on Beauty and the Geek, I was nervous, to say the least. Putting all my focus on the creative aspects of the show kept me calm, and lead to a productive working relationship with AplusK.

2. DON’T Put the Celebrity on a Pedestal

This is not the time to go fan-boy. No asking for autographs, taking iPhone pics, or putting the celeb on the phone with your mom. Don’t fawn over them, or go on about how they were so good in your favorite movie. If you’re dying to do any of the above, wait until the end of the project or shoot day, after you’ve earned the celebrity’s respect.

When Michael Rooker guest-starred on our reality TV show Scream Queens, it took all my effort not to pester him with questions about Tombstone, one of my favorite movies ever. At the end of the shoot, I calmly let him know how much I loved the movie and his performance in it. He then indulged me with an hour’s worth of behind-the-scenes stories…and a picture!

James Gunn, Michael Rooker, Biagio (geeking out), Joke

3. DON’T “Bro’ Up”

On the flip-side of #2, don’t assume you’re now best buddies with the star sitting in front of you. No, they’re not going out drinking with you. Don’t invite them to your house for dinner. They don’t want to befriend you on Facebook. Not yet, anyway. You’ve only just met, yet often people try to force a relationship into hyper-drive just because they’re excited to be around a famous person. Don’t.

4. DO Make the Celebrity Look Good

Go out of your way to understand a celeb’s brand, and make sure it translates to the project you’re doing. If they are appearing on camera, whether in a film or as a host on a reality TV show, be sure the script is written in their voice. If certain lines aren’t working, let them make changes. In post, only use their very best takes, and do whatever’s necessary to help your celeb look like a star. Finally, if the celebrity is a producer on the project, don’t be afraid to give them their share of the credit when good things happen. Help them look good to the network or studio, and they’ll probably want to work with you again.

5. DO Give an Honest Compliment

By avoiding an over-the-top display of fandom, you’ll come across professional. But at the end of your first meeting, don’t be afraid to give them a real compliment about an aspect of their work you truly admire. They’ll likely appreciate the compliment, and respect you for not throwing out a generic “I’m a huge fan of your work.”

Celebs are People, Too

They want to do great work just like you. They have inecurities just like you. Working with a celebrity can be as easy as working with anyone else. Just remember: Focus on the project at hand, don’t let fandom take over, and show the proper respect for what the star has achieved.
And if you can refrain from screaming their name uncontrollably like I’ve done, that will help, too