‘Stranger Things’: Gaten Matarazzo Follows 1 Rule on Set, but Others Break It
Stranger Things is fun for kids of all ages to watch, but for the kids who star on the show, it is definitely a job. The cast has several rules they must follow, many of which have been reported before. In a recent interview, Stranger Things‘ Gaten Matarazzo shared another rule that he follows even though others break it.
Matarazzo was a guest on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast on Feb. 22. He shared 1 Stranger Things rule he follows even if not everybody else does. Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 premieres May 27 on Netflix.
Gaten Matarazzo follows the ‘Stranger Things’ rule about closed sets
Some of the Stranger Things rules include showing up to set clean and free of makeup. They can’t bring cell phones to the set, and some actors can’t get haircuts either. Matarazzo revealed another rule is: no visitors.
“I’m never allowed to bring people on set,” Matarazzo said on Inside of You. “At least I don’t think. I’ve been told that it’s super under wraps, no one’s allowed on set, no one’s there.”
It’s only a closed set for some
It makes sense that Stranger Things would have a no visitors rule. The show is so full of spoilers that any scene could contain vital secrets. You wouldn’t want strangers spoiling Stranger Things. Plus, it’s not a theme park. Stranger Things is a working set and they have to get to work if they’re going to make their premiere date. They already had to delay production due to COVID-19. However, Matarazzo said that doesn’t stop everyone.
“And then sometimes somebody will have someone on set and it’s confusing because I’m like, ‘I thought you told me I couldn’t,’” Matarazzo said.
You don’t want to visit the ‘Stranger Things’ set anyway
Trust Matarazzo, you don’t want to visit him while he’s at work. It may sound fun to visit Hawkins, Indiana (even though they film in Atlanta, Georgia), see the town and laboratory, hang out with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the boys, maybe even see a demogorgon. It’s not what it appears.
It takes hours and hours of tedious work every day to bring that magic to life on screen in Stranger Things. Even to film a scene of the kids talking takes all day, covering the same dialogue from multiple angles. For professionals, it’s the craft, but for onlookers it’s best to just wait until they are finished.
“It’s always boring,” Matarazzo said. “It’s monotonous for those who aren’t doing it [but] it’s great for me. I love doing what I do, I love working on that set but nobody would want to go and just [hang out]. It’s a long day. It’s a 13 hour day doing the same scene over and over again.”
