Contract Players are the regular, full-timers you see day after day. These performers get paid the most. Soap work is grueling, even for atmosphere players. The shooting for an entire half hour or hour long episode is done in one day. The day might typically begin at 7am and not end until 7pm or later.
Rehearsals are brief if at all.
There is little input from the director. An atmosphere player's day might not be so long since there is less for them to do and no lines to learn. But the shooting day can still get pretty long. This schedule goes on day, after day, after day, after day. Needless to say, soap work requires discipline, stamina, initiative, a deep love and commitment to acting - excellent memorization skills.