Taylor John Smith has spent more than a decade working across film and television, with credits including Warfare, Where the Crawdads Sing, Sharp Objects, The Outpost, and Hunter Killer. But for Taylor, being an actor is only a small part of understanding what it takes to make a movie.

Taylor joins Studio Monroe to talk about growing up on movie sets, craving the structure they gave him, and why his curiosity has always extended far beyond his own role. From carrying “40 open tabs” in his brain as an actor to learning when to speak up, when to listen, and how to help the crew do their best work, Taylor sees filmmaking for what it is: a team sport.

He gets into the unwritten rules of set, constantly having to solidify your worth, and the fine line between wearing multiple hats and knowing when something isn’t yours to carry.

Because sometimes the most valuable question you can ask on set isn’t What do I need?

It’s How can I help you do your job better?