The professional set

by Filip Vandewal

I. Basic professional set behavior for each person on set -

FROM ASSISTANTS TO PRODUCERS

1. Keep yourself as low profile and quiet as possible. A set is already overcrowded with people. Don’t be a screamer or a yeller or attention seeker. We already have certain actors –usually the least talented - who’ll do that for us.

2. Turn off your walky or cellphone when cameras are rolling. There is nothing more disturbing than the noise of a walky or a ringtone of a cellphone during a take. As a general rule cellphones are switched off or in airplane mode when stepping on set, to not interfere with the soundguys or disturbing the take.

3. Respect the job of each department. Don’t move their equipment without their permission. It might get misplaced, causing delays during the shooting day.

4. For who is new on a set: If you don’t know what you are doing, don’t pretend you know. It will irritate people and will make you look like a fool. Professionals can smell amateurs right away.

5. Always yell “Flashing” then take a beat when taking a picture on set that requires a flash. This is to warn anyone looking through the camera lens or taking a light reading.

6. Never look through the camera eyepiece unless you have permission from the Director of Photography. A shot may be lined up and any movement of the camera could ruin the take.

7. Keep the monitors clear. They are meant for the Director and other key crew, not for your personal movie watching experience.

8. As a general rule, always cross behind the camera, especially when a shot is being lined up. Respect the Holy ground in front of the camera.

9. If you must step in front of the camera lens, always yell “Crossing”. This is a consideration for the camera operator focusing on something through the eyepiece.

10. The slate is not a toy, especially the electronic ones. They are designed to coordinate the sound with the image and unauthorized use can cause problems.

11. Never place food or beverages on top of a camera case or cart. A spilled drink could ruin valuable equipment stored inside and cost production time and money.

12. Stand out of the way of the lights, especially when the Director of Photography is taking light readings or judging the lights in a shot. A misinterpreted light reading will cause an incorrect camera setting.

13. If you can see the lens of the camera, the camera can see you. Therefore, always look where the lens is when you walk on set. You don’t want to be the one who ruins the shot.

14. Never sit down. Standing around all day can be agonizing. When you see an empty chair, try to resist. Your feet might be killing you but sitting down will cause you more pain than relief. There’s a reason chairs have names on them – if your name isn’t on it, don’t sit down.

15. If you are a key crew member warn the 1^st AD when you are stepping off set. If you are a crew member warn your boss if you are stepping off set. The shooting can experience delays if you can’t be found. It’s the 1^st AD’s job to know where each key crew member is. If the 1^st AD needs to step off the set, he or she warns the DP and puts him in charge of giving direct instructions to all the department heads, not only camera, grip and lights. Usually the 2^nd AD will step in to make sure all instructions from the DP are carried out.