So much of the on-screen magic in Bridgerton is in the details: the intricate set design, the gorgeous gowns, and even the many background actors who populate the ton. These supporting artists — referred to on set as “SAs” — are the actors who, along with the series’ leads, help fill out scenes. Think dancers at a ball, wedding guests, and horse race spectators. Their presence helps to make each scene believable, and it’s the job of Bridgerton’s crowd third assistant director, Saloum N’Jie, to direct the SAs in each scene by keeping them moving and talking in a shot while the primary action unfolds in the foreground. “At the end of the day, it’s like a dance,” says N’Jie. “It’s a disco but in Bridgerton.” In this video, costume designer Sophie Canale and production designer Will Hughes-Jones share how the SAs play a role in their process of bringing each scene to life. Watch to learn more about the crucial role that supporting artists play.
Bridgerton is available to stream now on Netflix.
Video: Ryan Wheeler | Instagram: @ryanwheelervideo
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