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I tried to start a thread about this topic a while back. There were no takers then. Here's hoping for a lively discussion about the topic this time around.

“Setiquette” – How To Have Proper Etiquette On A Film Set

A introduction class for beginners on a film set
Found this "lecture" on how to behave on a movie set. It's a long one (1 hour) and I made an audio version from it for myself to listen and you guys can download the mp3 version here.

Notes from the talk:

Safety
- Safety First! Our primary goal is to shoot a “safe” film.
- EVERYONE on set is a safety assistant. Point out concern; yell “Cut” when you see anything that is a potential safety concern. Protect people, equipment, and property.

Terminology
[+]  PA – production assistant
[+]  Call sheet – daily handout containing info for the next day of shooting.
[+]  Call time – the time you should be ON SET and ready to work.
[+]  Wrap – means it’s time to pack it up and go home.
[+]  Hot set – a set that has been dressed and ready for shooting; do not touch anything on that set.
[+]  “QUIET…” on set/for rehearsal/for playback/etc – no talking or movement.
[+]  “ACTION!” – Means the actors are working and the camera is rolling.
[+]  “CUT” – means you can resume your activity.
[+]  “Back to one” – a command for talent to return to their first position for another take.
[+]  “Hot points!” – someone is coming around with a heavy, hot, and or sharp object — get out of the way.
[+]  “Crossing” – something you yell out when you pass in front of the camera lens.
[+]  “Copy that/roger that” – a reply to receiving instructions (as opposed to “ok”).
[+]  Reset – to restore a set to its original look after a take.
[+]  Apple box – four standard-sized wooden boxes used for all reasons on a set
[+]  Stinger – extension cord.
[+]  C-stand – a standard 3-legged stand used for lighting and grip needs

Explanation of the 12-hr day
[+]  Day starts and ends over 12 hours; for example: starts at 1pm, ends at 1am
[+]  “Breakfast” is always the first meal, “lunch” is 6 hours into the day, and “dinner” is a walk-away
[+]  Turnaround time is usually 12 hours.

Crafts service table
[+]  Sweet and salty foods, water and other drinks for the TALENT and CREW only; all background extras will be provided water and possibly a light snack.
[+]  Not a fourth meal; food is expensive.
[+]  Drink plenty of water.
[+]  Carry a $0.99 permanent marker (from Lowes) and mark your drink bottles with you name.
[+]  Keep drinks and food (with the exception of water) near the crafts service area.

Working with talent
[+]  Talent is NOT your pal. Be polite when passing, but do not stop and talk about your family pet, planters wart, or ambitions to fly a rocket.
[+]  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.
[+]  AVOID the eye line. Do not lock eyes with the talent when he/she is rehearsing or acting. This breaks the actors character and throw him/her out of the scene.

Locations
[+]  Not YOUR home/office/yard/property.
[+]  Keep hands and feet, and equipment, off the wall.
[+]  Do not enter a room that you do not need to enter.
[+]  Avoid carpets.
[+]  Do not set drinks or food on furniture; avoid drinks and food in carpeted rooms.
[+]  Use designated restrooms ONLY.
[+]  Our locations are NOT open sets — meaning, please do not invite someone on set, or wonder around outside of your department.

Setiquette (set etiquette)
[+]  Count to 10 slowly the moment you walk onto the set.
[+]  Phones OFF near the set — vibrate otherwise. Avoid excessive texting; do not walk and text.
[+]  No running on set.
[+]  NOT DO handle equipment in another department UNLESS you are asked to assist by the department head.
[+]  Expert advice is appreciated, but please use proper channels to communicate your expertise.
[+]  Video village – a place where the director, DP, AC, EP, principle talent, and invited guest are allowed. Please do not enter, nor loiter near this area. The monitor is a tool for achieving a desired look, not an invitation to crowd around. Daily edits will be provided for the crew to view (if available).
[+]  Know the set — which way is the camera pointing, where are the stingers.
[+]  Stay OFF the GNE truck. Respect the departments. Ask before you touch ANYTHING outside of your department. Do not “borrow” equipment from another department.
[+]  Use the chain of command — go up the ladder to resolve an issue.
[+]  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 pray with you off set. Talk to your department head.

Last edited by AshDigital (2012-12-11 01:52:20)

Yeah that talk was from a production of a "faith based" movie. Did not bother me... religious people pray. No skin of my back.

Last edited by AshDigital (2012-12-11 02:04:30)

I remember Trey's advice from The Abyss commentary: if working with James Cameron, let him make a minor adjustment to whatever you're working on, so that he now 'owns' it and so can no longer chew you out over it. Cameron only hires you because he can't physically do everything himself, as much as he'd like to.

I don't have much to add except to say -- great episode. Highly informative & funny which normally goes without saying for DiF, but hey, compliments are never a bad thing. 

ya...good stuff.    and possibly the best finish of any DIF ep.

thanks for the info.  seems like the takeaway is basically what Homer says to himself in the guatemalan insanity pepper episode..."Note to self: stop doing anything"

If you bring a gun, you can say anything you want.

It's shielding against blanks.  It's the legacy of Brandon Lee.  Even though the firearms are firing blanks, and even though union laws clearly state you cannot fire a weapon in the direct line of a camera, you have to shield DP and any other crew during gun play.

Well those aren't walkie-talkies they're holding.

In the 2 hour+ making of Breaking Bad - Season 5, you see these screens all the time, and in many shots, there's no guns at all, so it's definitely not that. It must be glare, although I've never seen them before used in this way. Here are some shots of the screens in the mall sequence (attempted bugging) - no guns/squibs.

Last edited by avatar (2013-12-17 10:35:33)