S.A. Conduct on Set
Preparation
Don't just think it's a simple case of turning up, doing a couple of hours filming, getting paid and going home again. The production company relies on you to behave in a courteous and professional manner. As a supporting artist, you can help them by thinking ahead and doing some simple preparation.
Call Times
Your Call Time is the time by which you must be on-set and ready for filming. Your agency may either tell you your Call Time when they first contact you about the job, or they may ask you to ring them back later to find it out (possibly because the production company hasn't yet finalised their filming schedule). If you are told to ring the agency for your Call Time, make sure you do ring. It is part of your commitment to them.
Clothing
Find out what you need to wear for filming. Some production companies provide costumes for the cast and some don't - in which case your agency (or a member of
the production team) will tell you what to wear. Make sure you follow their instructions to the letter. If the scene to be filmed is set in a bank and you
are told to wear a suit, do not wear jeans. You will not be allowed on set. If you are told to bring a change of clothes, make sure that you do bring a change
of clothes.
Tip: Dress for the weather. A lot of filming is done in winter or early spring
because there are fewer tourists around and it may also be cheaper to film at this time of year. However, the scene might be set during summer, so you'll have to
wear light clothes for filming. Make sure you take something warm to wear during the long breaks between filming because you might not have somewhere warm to
wait.
Punctuality
When you are given your call time write it down and make sure you turn up on set punctually. Production companies have complex schedules to film specific
scenes at specific times and they will not wait around for you. If you are late the production crew will not be happy and your job could be given to someone else
and you will not get paid.
Tip: If possible test the timings of your journey to make sure you have enough time to get to
the film set. If using public transport, check the timetables and catch the earlier bus or train.
Signing In
The moment you arrive you must sign in with the appropriate member of staff to let them know you've arrived. This may be someone from the agency or it could be a member of the production crew. Make sure you know in advance who this person is. If you don't sign in, the production company has no way of knowing you have arrived and your job may be given to someone else. More importantly, if you do not sign in you will not get paid!
Waiting Around
If filming is not ready to begin, find out if there is somewhere for the supporting artists to wait. If you're fortunate, you'll have somewhere warm and comfortable but, if
you are on location, you could be lucky to have a draughty bus with only a gas heater. There may also be long waiting periods between filming but please be
patient. Production companies don't like these any more than you but they're unavoidable, so take them in your stride and don't start complaining. Nobody
likes hearing someone moaning on set and you may be asked to leave. The big stars in the production might be able to get away with it but you will not!
Tip: Bring a good book, magazine or newspaper paper to read. Because of the
regular need for silence on set, it's probably not a good idea to bring a Gameboy™ or other noise making personal device.
General Conduct
It is essential that you conduct yourself in a professional and helpful manner to everyone around you throughout your time on set. Remember, you not only represent yourself but the agency that found you the work.
Know your Stuff
Be familiar with the usual various words and phrases used by the production team. Check out out useful FAQ's - Equipment Terms, Job Titles and Technical Terms.
Behave on Set
This should go without saying but it's better to be safe than sorry. Always conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times and be polite and courteous to everyone you meet - even if they don't return the favour. If you have a problem with anyone you meet, let the agency know. Don't take matters into your own hands. Two wrongs don't make a right and you could be jeopardising more than just your own chances of getting paid.
Stay with your Group
Don't wander off without letting the person in charge know where you are going because instructions for filming can be given at any time. Even if you're just nipping to the loo, make sure that you have permission to do so and that the relevant people know where you are.
Don't Ask for Autographs
Do not go hunting for autographs because some actors just do not like it. There is a time and a place for autographs and on set is not the time or the place.
Don't get Star-Struck
As with autographs, don't wander around the set saying "Oh look, there's [name]". Once again, many actors just don't like it. They are ordinary people and - despite being in the public eye - the last thing they want, while they are trying to work, is someone staring and pointing and treating them like a zoo exhibit.
Don't Refer to the Actor by the Character Name
It's polite and courteous to refer to the actor by their real name. It also demonstrates your professionalism and familiarity with the environment. However, don't be too informal. Unless you know otherwise, refer to them as Mr, Mrs or Ms [surname]. Besides, it's a lot better for them to correct you by asking you to call them by their first name than if they ask you to call them by their surname (it also avoids uncomfortable silences, too).
Don't Talk to the Actors
Once again, some actors don't like being spoken to by supporting artists. For some actors, especially method actors trying to immerse themselves fully in their role, it's important not to have distractions. Respect their decision and abide by it. Otherwise, they may ask for you to be removed from the set.
No Photos
Never take a camera on set. Film companies just don't like it. Many films are protected by copyright and you would be infringing this if you took photos on set.
Turn off your Mobile Phone
That means completely off - not just on silent mode. Many productions use radio mikes for sound and the signal from a mobile phone set to silent will be picked up on these.
Follow ALL the Director's Instructions
If the Director calls for silence during filming, don't whisper. The sound equipment is very sensitive and your whispering can be picked up on the recording. Practise the art of miming. You may be asked to mime a conversation so try to act natural and don't "ham it up". If you happen to make a mistake, don't draw attention to it (e.g. suddenly turning around and saying "sorry" to everyone). It may not have been picked up on camera. That said, if someone does shout "CUT" because of your error, a simple "sorry" isn't a bad thing - mistakes do happen, after all.
Don't Drink the Drink
If your scene is in a pub or restaurant and you have a glass of wine for a prop, do not actually drink from it. The scene may need to be filmed several times from a number of angles and abrupt changes in the level of wine in your glass could cause continuity problems for the editing crew. Simply mime drinking and make sure to hold the glass so that your hand covers the level of the fluid.
Don't Wave at or Look at the Camera
This sounds like an obvious rule but you'd be surprised how many people break it. You may be asked to look in the general direction of the camera for a particular shot and with all of the activity going on behind the camera, it's very tempting to risk a quick, sneaky glance into the lens. If you do this, it will be noticed at a later date and you may be called back because the scene needs to be re-filmed. If that happens, you probably won't be very popular with the cast and crew - who also have to re-shoot the scene.
Refreshments
The production catering facilities can be varied. They may have a canteen, a catering bus or just vending machines. Take some money with you just in case you
need to pay. Also, remember that the cast and crew will be fed before the supporting artists (they've probably been up longer than you) so don't make a beeline for the
catering van when you know the food is available. You will be fed last.
If you have special dietary requirements, please don't assume that these will be
catered for. It's better to have some food in your bag, just in case filming takes longer than expected, than to expect the crew to let you "nip to the shop"
(which is very unlikely). If you do bring your own food, please do not consume it during filming. You may be called for filming at
very short notice and it doesn't look very good if you've got your mouth full or turn up in front of the camera with crumbs all around your mouth.
Tip: Dispose of any litter responsibly. Some production companies will
allow you to grab a coffee while you're waiting. Please don't just drop the cups around the set or leave them in a doorway - they will be noticed. If necessary,
take your litter home with you.
Before you Leave
When filming is finished, you should speak to the appropriate person on set about signing a release form (or "signing off"). This is your proof that you have been working on set and have completed the work and been released. It has to be signed by you and a representative of the production team. Without it, you won't get paid.