In an industry that often puts actors in the spotlight, Fabien Frankel or Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon offered a refreshing and humble perspective during a his appearance at Budapest Comic Con. He highlighted the vital role of the behind-the-scenes crew that makes big HBO productions possible.
Quick read:
- Fabien Frankel says the behind-the-scenes crew are the real heroes
- He demands Oscar award categories for these roles
- He also praised the stuntmen for their under-appreciated contribution
Credit: HBO
Why HBO stands out for creatives
Frankel began by praising HBO’s selective approach to storytelling and its strong support for filmmakers. He noted that for aspiring writers, producers, and directors, there’s no better studio to work with.
“HBO is so selective on what they make and they champion filmmakers so much.”
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He added that as an actor, he feels exactly the same way and then called for a round of applause for the crew members on these massive shows.
Hidden gems on set: Stunt teams and PAs
When asked which crew positions he admires most despite not fully understanding their technical work, Frankel highlighted two often-overlooked groups. First, the stunt performers:
“The stunt guys, the stunt men and women, like, don’t get any credit… These men and women are putting their lives at risk so that we can look cool jumping out of an airplane.”
He pointed out the surprising lack of an Oscar category for best stunts, calling it “wild,” and contrasted it with the fact that only someone like Tom Cruise would perform such feats themselves. He also gave special mention to Production Assistants (PAs), the first to arrive and last to leave each day:
“They greet you in the morning… and they don’t get anywhere near the credit they deserve.”
Actors are just a small part of the magic
Frankel emphasized that while actors are placed front and center, they represent only a tiny fraction of what makes a show successful.
“As the actors, we’re put front and center as the vision of the thing. But we are like just a very tiny percentage of what makes these shows tick. And I really mean that. Like, you know, we do the least amount of work. That’s the truth.”
The host appreciated the respectful and grounded way Frankel framed his comments, noting how refreshing it is when actors publicly acknowledge the hard work of the entire crew.
