You booked the gig! Now what?! After the initial “WHOOO-HOOO!” has dissipated, someone should be reaching out to you about a wardrobe fitting, to determine what your character will be wearing. You’ll also get an email and/or phone call/text message with your CALL TIME—the time you’ll report to set for your first day of work. You will also receive a CALL SHEET—a daily detailed production document distributed to cast and crew that clearly outlines the plans and logistics for the day’s shoot.

Here's an example of a call sheet from Set Hero.

Call Sheet Key Information

Call sheets ensure that everyone involved in the production is aware of their responsibilities and the day's schedule, helping the shoot to run smoothly and efficiently. It also enables you to arrive on set BEFORE your call time (because that’s the smart thing to do!). See if you can find each of these elements on the sample call sheet above:

Production Information

Title of the project
Date of the shoot
Contact information for key personnel (director, producer, assistant director, etc.)

Daily Schedule

Call times for cast and crew
Shooting schedule, including scene numbers and a brief description

Cast Information

Names and call times for all actors required on set
Character names
Special notes or requirements (e.g., makeup or wardrobe details)

Crew Information (typically found on the back of the call sheet)

Names and call times for crew members
Departmental notes or instructions

Location Details

Addresses and directions to the shooting location(s)
Parking information

Scene Information

Scene numbers and script pages being shot
Locations within the set (e.g., which room or area)
Day/night and interior/exterior indicators

Set and Props Requirements

Special equipment needed (e.g., cranes, special cameras)
Props and set dressing details

Weather and Health & Safety

Weather forecast for the location
Health and safety notes

Miscellaneous

Meal times and locations
Special notes for the day (e.g., stunt work, special effects)

Call Sheet Constants

What’s next? This part can vary from production to production, but here are some constants:

Many productions start their day with a SAFETY MEETING—a crucial gathering held to discuss potential hazards and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of the cast and crew. These meetings are typically led by the First Assistant Director (1st AD) or a designated safety officer.

Many sets then move onto BLOCKING, where the director and actors discuss and rehearse the movements of the first scene to be shot. MARKING REHEARSAL: The camera operators and other crew members will watch FIRST TEAM’s blocking and someone from the camera department will put tape (MARKS) where you are standing and then more tape if you move, sit, or exit the scene. First Team refers to the principal actors on the shoot. Typically, SECOND TEAM will then take over while First Team starts or finishes up hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Second Team refers to the stand-ins for the principal actors.

Hurry up and wait... but why?

Suffice it to say that the phrase HURRY UP AND WAIT may start to make a lot of sense. "Hurry up and wait" is a common phrase in TV and film production that describes the often erratic pace of the workday. It refers to the experience where cast and crew members rush to get ready for a scene, only to then spend significant time waiting for everything to be set up and finalized. This can happen for various reasons, including (but not limited to):

Technical Preparations: Setting up lighting, cameras, and sound equipment can take considerable time.
Scene Setup: Arranging the set, props, and ensuring continuity between shots can lead to delays.
Director and Crew Discussions: Directors and department heads often need time to discuss and plan the scene's details.
Actor Preparation: Yes, YOU and your co-stars might need extra time for makeup, costumes, or to rehearse your lines.
Weather or Environmental Conditions: Outdoor shoots can be delayed due to weather changes or other unpredictable factors.

This phrase underscores the unpredictable nature of filming schedules and the necessity for patience among those involved in the production process. With all of this in mind, patience is a virtue on set. Be sure you stay ready for when a PA (Production Assistant), or someone else, calls for you to finally do your thing. By STAY READY, I mean relaxed, prepared with your lines, hydrated, and warmed up physically and mentally.

Let’s button up this segment with defining terms you’ll hear on set in terms of the last shots at the end of a work day:

ABBY: Refers to the second-to-last shot of the day on a film or TV set.
MARTINI: Refers to the last shot of the day.

And . . . THAT’S A WRAP! (Technically “That’s a wrap” is the phrase when principal photography is concluded and the film is ready to go into post-production. But I took creative license here.)