emretufekci
Well-known member
Here is a list of items we have collected over the years from different authors and blogs, we give this to all our interns and new employees. I wanted to share this with everybody:
On Set Expectations
Nothing is more important than know what is and is not expected when you’re on the set.
More people are fired on films for breaches of etiquette and protocol than any other reason
1. Arrive On Time (generally, 15 minutes early is considered to be on time)
2. Do Your Job and don’t tell anyone else how to do theirs unless they ask for help or are in danger. Expert advice
is appreciated, but please use proper channels to communicate your expertise
1. Never give your opinion (even if it’s positive) if you are not the key stylist or asked directly by those in charge.
Do NOT challenge, correct or undermine the producer/director. NOT DO handle equipment in another department
UNLESS you are asked to assist by the department head. Respect the departments. Ask before you touch
ANYTHING outside of your department. Do not "borrow" equipment from another department.
3. Be Polite Always say please, thank you and you’re welcome (not “yeah”) and refer to superiors as “sir”
4. Be Humble When someone compliments you on a job well done, thank them
5. Respect the Actor’s Space Stay out of their eye-line whenever possible and work quietly around them. Do not
lock eyes with the talent when he/she is rehearsing or acting. This breaks the actor’s character and throws him/her
out of the scene. Talent is NOT your pal. Be polite when passing, but do not stop and talk about your family pet,
planter’s wart, ambitions to fly a rocket, or funny smartphone app. When the talent is sitting alone, that is not an
invitation to visit. Most actors will sit aside after hair/makeup and wardrobe and run through lines silently while
waiting to be invited to the set
6. No Autographs When working with a famous actor, never ask for pictures or their autographs
7. Listen and Ask Questions if you have any doubt about what has been requested of you
8. Be Alert Know the set -- which way is the camera pointing, where are the stingers. Be present without being in
the way. No running on set. Watch for opportunities to assist your fellow crew members
9. Make Your Superior Look Good by doing your job efficiently and you will become invaluable to him/her
10. Follow the Chain of Command All suggestions/complaints should be made to your direct supervisor. Go up
the ladder to resolve an issue
11. Learn People’s Names & Positions as a matter of respect and to show you care
12. No Whining! Moods are contagious and people prefer to work with people who have a good attitude
13. When You Arrive, Check In with your superior - things often come up that need immediate attention
14. Avoid cursing and telling distasteful jokes as a matter of respect for co-workers and young actors
15. Turn Off Phones or leave them in your car until lunch or wrap
2. Stay OFF your phone unless it’s work-related. Even then, excuse oneself to chat away from set.
16. Never Touch Props It is often a “hot set” and moving something might ruin continuity
17. No Loud Talking at any time on set - The production team needs to concentrate
18. Hold All Sensitive Conversations out of ear range of others as a courtesy to those involved
19. Have the Correct Tools for the Job it is your responsibility to own the right tools and to know their use
20. Learn the Correct Terminology for all equipment and use it whenever possible
21. Friends & Family Not Allowed on Set unless you clear it in advance with the AD, UPM or Producer. Our
locations are NOT open sets -- meaning, please do not invite someone on set, or wonder around outside of your
department.
22. Photos and Video Usually Prohibited unless you clear it in advance with the AD, UPM or Producer
23. Admit it When You Make a Mistake It is much easier to undo a mistake if it is revealed immediately
24. Never Take “Set Heat” Personally Harsh words are common on set in the heat of production
25. Leave baggage at home YES, WE CARE. Feel free to talk with others in your department while working on
set, reaching out as time allows, using meals to get to know someone new -- BUT, be careful not to spread the
misery on set. Instead, have someone close to you meditate/think/reflect/share/pray/discuss with you off set. Talk to your department head. Don’t make
last night’s “activities” anyone’s problem(s) (be it tardiness, lethargy or illness).
26. Never Leave Set unless there’s a real emergency and only after checking with the AD, UPM or Producer
27. Never Let Your Personality Conflicts Get Out of Hand There will be people who you will find difficult to get
along with, but you will only be working together for a short period of time
28. Withhold Critical Opinions of Other People’s Work Unless you are the Director, DP or Exec. Producer
29. Be Honest If you are asked for your opinion or feedback then speak kindly, and from the heart
30. People Notice Your Best Efforts and reward you with future work and advances
31. Everyone Started Somewhere If you ask for advice or help, most set technicians are eager to mentor
32. Be Patient All departments have the right to finish their work without hostility from other workers
33. Be Efficient The worst thing you can do is to hold up the set - TIME IS MONEY
34. Respect Civilians Maintaining positive public relations is the responsibility of all set technicians
35. Respect Locations We are dependent on using locations and can’t afford to lose any. Not YOUR
home/office/yard/property. Do not enter a room that you do not need to enter
36. Respect the Gear Film equipment is valuable and needs to be handled carefully
37. Respect your Co-workers No one deserves to and never should work in a hostile environment
38. Don’t be a Hero Do your job safely and deliberately (there’s no running on set for safety reasons)
39. Act Professionally Never horse around on set - it is a serious workplace and can be dangerous
40. No Music Devices They remove you from the moment and impair your ability to hear instructions
41. Avoid Loose Clothing or Jewelry It can get tangled in equipment and cause an accident or injury
42. Drink Plenty of Water & Use Sunscreen It is easy to dehydrate in our arid climate
43. Take Vitamins & Use Hand Sanitizer It is easy to catch colds on set due to long hours and germs
44. Listen Carefully to Safety Briefings The First AD or Stunt Coordinator will give a safety briefing before all
stunts
45. Only re-enter the set after the Stunt Coordinator or First AD gives the “All Clear”
46. The Armor is in Charge of all prop Guns and Weapons - never handle them unless supervised
47. Report Dangerous Conditions (including drug or alcohol use by co-workers) to the AD or UPM immediately
48. No Open-toed Shoes It is easy to have something dropped on your feet
49. Work carefully around power tools And only work when others are present in case of an accident
50. During Dangerous Stunts and Setups If you ever feel that your safety is being compromised by the actions of
a co-worker or by the production company, you have the right to speak out with-out fear of retribution
No excuses.
“You can make excuses or you can make it happen.”
On Set Expectations
Nothing is more important than know what is and is not expected when you’re on the set.
More people are fired on films for breaches of etiquette and protocol than any other reason
1. Arrive On Time (generally, 15 minutes early is considered to be on time)
2. Do Your Job and don’t tell anyone else how to do theirs unless they ask for help or are in danger. Expert advice
is appreciated, but please use proper channels to communicate your expertise
1. Never give your opinion (even if it’s positive) if you are not the key stylist or asked directly by those in charge.
Do NOT challenge, correct or undermine the producer/director. NOT DO handle equipment in another department
UNLESS you are asked to assist by the department head. Respect the departments. Ask before you touch
ANYTHING outside of your department. Do not "borrow" equipment from another department.
3. Be Polite Always say please, thank you and you’re welcome (not “yeah”) and refer to superiors as “sir”
4. Be Humble When someone compliments you on a job well done, thank them
5. Respect the Actor’s Space Stay out of their eye-line whenever possible and work quietly around them. Do not
lock eyes with the talent when he/she is rehearsing or acting. This breaks the actor’s character and throws him/her
out of the scene. Talent is NOT your pal. Be polite when passing, but do not stop and talk about your family pet,
planter’s wart, ambitions to fly a rocket, or funny smartphone app. When the talent is sitting alone, that is not an
invitation to visit. Most actors will sit aside after hair/makeup and wardrobe and run through lines silently while
waiting to be invited to the set
6. No Autographs When working with a famous actor, never ask for pictures or their autographs
7. Listen and Ask Questions if you have any doubt about what has been requested of you
8. Be Alert Know the set -- which way is the camera pointing, where are the stingers. Be present without being in
the way. No running on set. Watch for opportunities to assist your fellow crew members
9. Make Your Superior Look Good by doing your job efficiently and you will become invaluable to him/her
10. Follow the Chain of Command All suggestions/complaints should be made to your direct supervisor. Go up
the ladder to resolve an issue
11. Learn People’s Names & Positions as a matter of respect and to show you care
12. No Whining! Moods are contagious and people prefer to work with people who have a good attitude
13. When You Arrive, Check In with your superior - things often come up that need immediate attention
14. Avoid cursing and telling distasteful jokes as a matter of respect for co-workers and young actors
15. Turn Off Phones or leave them in your car until lunch or wrap
2. Stay OFF your phone unless it’s work-related. Even then, excuse oneself to chat away from set.
16. Never Touch Props It is often a “hot set” and moving something might ruin continuity
17. No Loud Talking at any time on set - The production team needs to concentrate
18. Hold All Sensitive Conversations out of ear range of others as a courtesy to those involved
19. Have the Correct Tools for the Job it is your responsibility to own the right tools and to know their use
20. Learn the Correct Terminology for all equipment and use it whenever possible
21. Friends & Family Not Allowed on Set unless you clear it in advance with the AD, UPM or Producer. Our
locations are NOT open sets -- meaning, please do not invite someone on set, or wonder around outside of your
department.
22. Photos and Video Usually Prohibited unless you clear it in advance with the AD, UPM or Producer
23. Admit it When You Make a Mistake It is much easier to undo a mistake if it is revealed immediately
24. Never Take “Set Heat” Personally Harsh words are common on set in the heat of production
25. Leave baggage at home YES, WE CARE. Feel free to talk with others in your department while working on
set, reaching out as time allows, using meals to get to know someone new -- BUT, be careful not to spread the
misery on set. Instead, have someone close to you meditate/think/reflect/share/pray/discuss with you off set. Talk to your department head. Don’t make
last night’s “activities” anyone’s problem(s) (be it tardiness, lethargy or illness).
26. Never Leave Set unless there’s a real emergency and only after checking with the AD, UPM or Producer
27. Never Let Your Personality Conflicts Get Out of Hand There will be people who you will find difficult to get
along with, but you will only be working together for a short period of time
28. Withhold Critical Opinions of Other People’s Work Unless you are the Director, DP or Exec. Producer
29. Be Honest If you are asked for your opinion or feedback then speak kindly, and from the heart
30. People Notice Your Best Efforts and reward you with future work and advances
31. Everyone Started Somewhere If you ask for advice or help, most set technicians are eager to mentor
32. Be Patient All departments have the right to finish their work without hostility from other workers
33. Be Efficient The worst thing you can do is to hold up the set - TIME IS MONEY
34. Respect Civilians Maintaining positive public relations is the responsibility of all set technicians
35. Respect Locations We are dependent on using locations and can’t afford to lose any. Not YOUR
home/office/yard/property. Do not enter a room that you do not need to enter
36. Respect the Gear Film equipment is valuable and needs to be handled carefully
37. Respect your Co-workers No one deserves to and never should work in a hostile environment
38. Don’t be a Hero Do your job safely and deliberately (there’s no running on set for safety reasons)
39. Act Professionally Never horse around on set - it is a serious workplace and can be dangerous
40. No Music Devices They remove you from the moment and impair your ability to hear instructions
41. Avoid Loose Clothing or Jewelry It can get tangled in equipment and cause an accident or injury
42. Drink Plenty of Water & Use Sunscreen It is easy to dehydrate in our arid climate
43. Take Vitamins & Use Hand Sanitizer It is easy to catch colds on set due to long hours and germs
44. Listen Carefully to Safety Briefings The First AD or Stunt Coordinator will give a safety briefing before all
stunts
45. Only re-enter the set after the Stunt Coordinator or First AD gives the “All Clear”
46. The Armor is in Charge of all prop Guns and Weapons - never handle them unless supervised
47. Report Dangerous Conditions (including drug or alcohol use by co-workers) to the AD or UPM immediately
48. No Open-toed Shoes It is easy to have something dropped on your feet
49. Work carefully around power tools And only work when others are present in case of an accident
50. During Dangerous Stunts and Setups If you ever feel that your safety is being compromised by the actions of
a co-worker or by the production company, you have the right to speak out with-out fear of retribution
No excuses.
“You can make excuses or you can make it happen.”
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