Your first day on set: the guide

A first day on set can be intimidating, especially when you do not know the schedule, the vocabulary or who does what. Here are the essentials to prepare well, whether you are an extra or have a speaking role.

The day before: the call sheet

The day before the shoot, the production usually sends the call sheet. It gives the set address, your call time, the day’s scenes and useful contacts. Read all of it, plan your route and leave extra time: sets are sometimes far from the city centre, even out in the desert near Ouarzazate.

If you have lines, go over them again without fixing them too rigidly: the director may ask for changes on the day.

What to bring

• Your ID and any documents the production asked for
• The clothes you were asked to bring, clean and ironed, with one or two options if requested
• Water, a snack, a charger and a power bank
• Something warm or protection from the sun, as waiting often happens outdoors
• Something to pass the time quietly, such as a book or earphones

Arriving and waiting

Report to the production base or the assistant director at least 10 to 15 minutes before your call time. Next usually come costume, make-up and hair. A shooting day involves a lot of waiting between takes: stay reachable and never leave the area without telling someone.

Who does what on set

• The director guides the acting and decides on the takes.
• The first assistant director runs the day and gives instructions. This is your main contact.
• The production team on set handles the welcome, meals and logistics.
• The costume, make-up and hair team gets you ready and touches you up between takes.
• The script supervisor watches continuity: same gesture, same object, same place from one take to the next.

Words to know

• "Quiet on set!": no more noise or movement.
• "Roll camera!" or "Rolling!": camera and sound are recording.
• "Action!": you act.
• "Cut!": the take stops. Stay where you are until the next instruction.
• "Going again": a new take, often for a technical reason.
• "Back to one": return to your starting position.

The basic rules

• Phone on silent, and put away during takes.
• No photos or videos of the set, and nothing on social media without the production’s approval.
• Do not look at the camera unless you are asked to.
• Keep your continuity: same clothes, same hair and same props all day.
• Be discreet around the lead actors and the crew.
• Ask your questions to the first assistant director rather than the director between takes.

End of the day

Do not leave before you are released. Return the costumes and props, sign the attendance sheet if you are given one and check how you will be paid. Remember to thank the crew.

Key facts

• The day before: read the call sheet and plan your route
• Arrival: 10 to 15 minutes before your call time
• Bring: ID, the requested clothes, water, a charger
• Main contact: the first assistant director
• Don’ts: photos of the set, a ringing phone, looking at the camera
• Before leaving: return costumes, sign the attendance sheet