Turn on NBC on Thursdays at 8 p.m. and you’ll see Steve Carell John Krasinski Jenna Fischer and Rainn Wilson making audiences laugh as bumbling Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company employees. But on the Nov. 4 episode of “The Office seniors Jeff Loveness and Seth Allison joined the cast.
Loveness and Allison played small roles as youth group kids with contrasting personalities on a mission trip to Mexico.
Seth plays the leader of the youth group Loveness commented. He was very happy and upbeat. I played the outsider black sheep youth group member. I’m not really very committed in the episode.”
The filming process was a whirlwind for Loveness who was approached by his agent to audition for the part in early September. Fortunately the casting director had seen Loveness at an earlier audition and was familiar with his videos earning him a shot at the part.
Loveness and Allison auditioned for NBC on the morning of Sept. 10 were offered the part later that afternoon and filmed from Sept. 13 through Sept. 17.
“We were on the set Monday morning at 5 a.m. in the Rose Bowl Parking lot Loveness said. We rehearsed a bit but not too much. I shot for five days. Seth shot for four.”
Allison said they had four to five takes per line and the director usually let them take liberties for a couple takes in which they were allowed to improvise and include anything they felt would better the scene.
Though the work was fast paced Loveness described his time on set as a surreal experience and considered it an honor to make his debut on a show he has followed for years.
“It was my first professional acting job and it was remarkable to act on a show that I have watched since high school Loveness said. I always thought my first screen role would be something embarrassing. So it’s that much better to premiere on such a revered show.”
Loveness was also struck by the kindness and genuineness of the cast.
“There are all incredibly nice and friendly Loveness said. Steve Carell was very gracious to everyone opening doors for crew members and making sure everyone was OK. It’s fun to see people at the professional level still having fun.”
Allison echoed Loveness’ opinion of the cast’s welcoming nature off camera.
“The whole cast was super super nice Allison said. We got to hang out and chat everyday we were on the set with them. We rode in the same vans and ate at the same tables with everyone … and [they] individually shook Jeff and I’s hands the day we wrapped.”
Despite his prior film experience and role on the hit comedy he was aware of how novel the industry can seem to him.
“On my last day I went to the actual ‘Office” set Loveness explained excitedly. Phylis Smith [who plays sales representative Phylis Vance] was eating lunch at her desk on her break. It was funny because it looked like it was straight out of the show. She offered to take my picture on Michael Scott ‘s [Steve Carell’s] desk. I couldn’t believe it. Phylis was taking my picture on Michael’s desk on ‘The Office’ set.”
Allison was not at a loss for good words about working with the ensemble either.
“I loved being around Steve Allison said. He was a true gentleman and humble funnyman. Leslie [who plays Stanley] was awesome they both agreed to record a shout-out to The Randumb Show which was really cool.”
And it’s no surprise that the show’s humor also spilled over into their time with the cast particularly regarding Carell’s departure from the show after the curtain falls on its seventh season.
“I found out the truth about what is going to happen to the show after Steve leaves Allison joked. They are replacing him with Dev Patel and continuing the show as a Bollywood-esque musical.”
With pilot season just around the corner soon-to-be-graduates Loveness and Allison have high hopes for the future and are excited to pursue careers in acting writing producing and directing comedy.