SET LIFE & ETIQUETTE
You're on set. The director is ready, the camera is ready, and you… haven't learnt your lines. This basic preparation would have saved everyone a headache.
What is arriving prepared and knowing your lines?
The set is confusing. You have absolutely no idea what you're supposed to do. What should you do next?
What is ask rather than assume?
Your scene is tomorrow, but your lines are still a mystery. This is the thing you should have done before arriving.
What is learning and preparing your required material?
The golden rule of the film set: your department is not the only department with expertise. This is what you should show everyone.
What is respect for other departments' expertise?
Your character throws a glass against a wall. The department that needs to think about what we'll hear is…
What is sound?
The crew has been "doing nothing" for 20 minutes. Plot twist: they're adjusting focus, lighting, props and sound. This is what you're actually watching.
What is essential preparation between takes?
The director changes blocking five minutes before a take. Name two departments that could suddenly be having a very bad day.
What are cinematography, sound, continuity, props, costume or other affected departments?
Your scene partner can't hear you. You decide to change the entire scene on the spot. Congratulations! You've created a new problem. What should you do instead?
What is communicate the problem to the appropriate person and work out an adjustment?
You're an actor. You've decided the lighting setup is terrible. You grab a light and start moving it. Which professional boundary have you just crossed?
What is taking over another department's responsibility without appropriate authority or communication?
The glass hits the wall. It smashes. Name two departments that might need to rethink their plans.
What are props/production design, sound, cinematography, continuity, editing, VFX, producing or directing?
You're a producer with a genius idea for a shot. You march over to the cinematographer and announce, "Move the camera. I have a vision!" This professional principle have you just forgotten?
What is having an idea without automatically having the authority to implement it?
Sound says, "Could you remove that noisy jewellery?" You reply, "It's part of my character!" This is the professional conversation you should have instead of starting a jewellery-based feud.
What is discussing the recording issue and finding an appropriate adjustment with sound and the relevant creative team?
You have discovered the perfect alternative line. Is suggesting it a crime against cinema? No! But this person should be involved before you make it official.
Who is the director, along with any relevant collaborators?
The cinematographer wants to move an actor to improve the frame. The director has a different performance intention. This is the person the cinematographer should consult before changing the blocking.
Who is the director?
Your costume is so fabulous that you can't actually move your arms. This department needs to be involved before you attempt the scene.
What is costume, in communication with the actor and relevant creative team?
The director says, "Reset!" You shout, "But I'M READY!" Unfortunately, the rest of the film set is not a mind-reading machine. This should happen before you declare everyone ready.
What is checking in and communicating with the relevant departments?
You've changed the scene. The costume department doesn't know. Props doesn't know. Continuity definitely doesn't know. This one action could have prevented the chaos.
What is communicating creative changes to all relevant departments before proceeding?
The director asks you to cross to the window. You think crossing to the door is much more dramatic. Instead of secretly changing the blocking, this is how you should pitch your idea.
What is asking the director about the intention, explaining your alternative and discussing the change?
Two crew members give an actor completely different instructions. One says, "Move left!" The other says, "Stay put!" This professional problem needs resolving.
What is conflicting instructions and unclear authority, which should be clarified through appropriate communication?
The director says, "Let's have the actor cross the room during the take!" Three departments suddenly have homework. Name three and explain their problem.
What are cinematography (framing/camera movement), sound (recording or microphone placement), and continuity (tracking position and props)?
You proudly announce, "I'm only responsible for MY department!" Five minutes later, your department's brilliant idea has broken continuity, delayed sound and wrecked the next shot. Explain the fatal flaw in your thinking.
What is forgetting that a film set is an interdependent system, where one department's choices affect everyone else?
The director loves your new idea. The producer hates the schedule implications. Sound has concerns. The cinematographer says it won't work. You have 30 seconds to turn this disaster into a professional collaboration.
What is listening to each concern, identifying the practical and creative implications, and discussing a workable solution with the relevant departments?
The director wants you to do something in a scene that makes you uncomfortable. Everyone is ready. The schedule is tight. The pressure is ON. What is your professional move, and what principle outranks the schedule?
What is raising the concern and communicating your boundary through the appropriate channel; personal boundaries and safety are non-negotiable?
Your classmate says, "If I can't implement my idea myself, I'll just keep quiet." Explain why this is the wrong approach to collaboration.
What is sharing ideas is encouraged, but implementation requires the right authority and communication with relevant people?
The director wants the glass smash. The producer says it's impractical. Sound wants a clean recording. Props is worried about the glass. The actor is standing there holding the glass. What is the best way to save the creative idea without ignoring everyone's responsibilities?
What is discussing the creative intention, practical concerns and relevant departmental needs to find a safe, workable approach?