Set Etiquette: 10 Simple Rules (Con't)

Tattersall

Stay near the action.

There’s a lot of waiting around on a film set. While there are no set breaks, you shouldn’t wander off to craft services whenever you have down time. You’re paid to be at your department’s beckon call, not to gorge on free sweets. If you need to leave, tell those around you where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
“You just don’t take off because the moment you leave, someone needs you,” Gerretsen says. “It’s Murphy’s Law.”

Do not make eye contact.

There’s a time and a place to be star-struck – a film set isn’t one of them. Unglue your eyes and lift your jaw off the floor. Actors surprisingly don’t like to be gawked at. Once the camera is rolling, avert your eyes from the actor’s. If you make eye contact you could throw the actor off. You don’t want to be responsible for breaking the star’s concentration.

Wait your turn.

Do not interrupt discussions, especially conferences between the director and the actors. Just before the final take the director preps the actors for the upcoming scene. Wait until the director’s finished talking before you intervene. Better yet, stay out of the director’s way altogether. Go through the assistant director – he’s the go-between.

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 ain’t on it, don’t sit.

No visitors.

Your friends and family probably think you have the coolest job. Preserve the mystery – don’t bring anyone to set. The set is cluttered and crowded enough. Another body just adds to the crew’s confusion.

At the end of the day, how you act on set determines how much work you’ll get. Professionalism is more than just doing your job well – it’s an attitude. If you want to work in this business, and be successful, you need to treat everyone with respect.