Bit part - Misplaced Pages

(Redirected from Bit player) Acting role in which there is direct interaction with the main actors but little dialogue

In acting, a bit part is a role in which there is direct interaction with the principal actors and no more than five lines of dialogue, often referred to as a five-or-less or under-five in the United States, or under sixes in British television, or a walk-on part with no dialogue.

A bit part is a credited higher billing than that of an extra and lower than that of a supporting actor. An actor who regularly performs in bit roles, either as a hobby or to earn a living, is referred to as a bit player, which is also a term to describe an aspiring actor who has not yet broken into supporting or leading roles.

Unlike extras, who do not typically interact with principals, actors in bit parts are sometimes listed in the credits. An exception to this practice is the cameo appearance, wherein a well-known actor or other celebrity appears in a bit part; it is common for such appearances to be uncredited.

In MGM's 1951 screen version of the musical Show Boat, the role of the cook Queenie (Frances E. Williams) was reduced from a significant supporting role in the stage version to a bit part in the film. Williams, whose appearance was not intended as a cameo, was not listed at all in the credits. On the other hand, William Warfield, whose role as Joe, Queenie's husband, was also drastically shortened in the film from the stage original, did receive screen credit because he sang "Ol' Man River".

Bit parts are often significant in the story line and sometimes pivotal, as in Jack Albertson's role as a postal worker in the 1947 feature film Miracle on 34th Street. Some characters with bit parts attract significant attention. Konstantin Stanislavski remarked that "there are no small parts, only small actors".

Dabbs Greer, a bit actor, once said: "Every character actor, in their own little sphere, is the lead".

References

Hooton, Christopher (26 August 2016). "The actors consistently choosing the best movies". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
Nelson, Valerie J. (1 May 2007). "Dabbs Greer, 90; busy character actor played everyman-type roles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

Film crew (filmmaking)

Above the line
Actor Leading actor Supporting actor Ensemble cast Character actor Child actor Cameo actor Bit actor Under-five Voice actor Film director Screenwriter Film producer Executive producer Line producer

Below the line

Pre-production/
Production

Photography

Production
design

Sets	Production designer Art director Set decorator Set dresser Swing gang Matte painter Scenic design Greensman
Props	Property master Weapons master
Wardrobe	Costume designer Wardrobe supervisor
Special effects	Special effects supervisor Visual effects supervisor
Other	Hairdresser Make-up artist

Sound

Animation

Talent

Acting	Acting coach Body double Dialect coach Movement director Choreographer Extra Talent agent Stand-in Acting instructor Intimacy coordinator
Stunts	Stunt coordinator Stunt double Stunt performer Stage combat
Other	Animal wrangler

Post-production

Picture	Film editor Colorist
Sound	Sound editor Dialogue editor Re-recording mixer Foley artist Voice foley Dubbing ADR Subtitles
Score	Composer Music supervisor Music editor Orchestrator
Visual effects	VFX creative director Visual effects editor Compositor Computer-generated imagery Rendering
Other	Technical director

Other

This article related to film or motion picture terminology is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

Categories:

See also

References