Set Etiquette

Be aware there could be 20 extras or hundreds of people working simultaneously on a feature film or television show set. You may wonder why so many are just standing around, but each has a specific job to perform at a specific time, all with one goal in mind: to make the movie/show as efficiently as possible. The following will help you avoid film set faux pas, and be ready to do your own job.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS IS A  JOB. It can be a lot of fun to be on set, but it is still a job that demands a professional atmosphere. Exhibiting a professional attitude at all times will demonstrate to production that you are a good extra and will help you get hired in the future.

BRING ALL ITEMS REQUESTED in your information email. Read the email carefully and fully when you receive it. Bring everything requested in the email including forms of identification for payment and clothing requested by the wardrobe department, and more.

LISTEN to the assistant directors. The assistant directors (aka ADs) are responsible for ensuring everything production planned for that day happens in a timely manner. Someone in production will be there to manage the extras (an AD or a production assistant (PA)). They will direct you on where to go and when and give you other important instructions. Listen carefully and follow their directions.

BE PREPARED to hurry up and wait. Yes, you read that correctly. As soon as you arrive on set, you’ll be checked in, taken to wardrobe who will approve your clothing, rushed to the make-up and hair department, and approved by them. You then may be taken to set immediately, or you may find yourself waiting for a couple of hours in a holding area. Keep in mind: waiting is a big part of the job, too. You’re allowed to bring items for wait times such as a newspaper, magazine, or book.

DO NOT APPROACH THE PRINCIPAL ACTORS Of course it’s exciting to be standing right next to big Hollywood stars. But if they are on set, they are at work. As a general rule, don’t speak to them unless they speak with you first. They really are just people, and some will be nice and say hello whereas others will be very quiet and avoid speaking to anyone. Just remember that you both have the same professional goal: make the movie as efficiently as possible.

ON TIME IS LATE. Always show up early! In the film industry, “early” is on time, “on time” is late, and if you’re “late” sometimes that means they’ve already started and can’t use you for the day’s filming.

AVOID WANDERING on set. Usually, there will be a designated area for you called extras holding. That is where you should stay unless told otherwise. Yes, there could be long periods of waiting, but when the time comes you need to be ready and production must be able to find you. If you have to leave the designated area, whether it’s going to your car or going to the bathroom, tell the AD or PA.

DO NOT LEAVE THE SET. Once you arrive on set and check in, you can’t leave before an AD releases you. If you leave anyway, production will not pay you. When you check out with an AD, he/she will give you a copy of the signed voucher, or make the proper notation in the online payroll system and that will be your evidence of work.

BE SAFE! Sometimes productions will film in less than ideal conditions ie in the summer heat,  freezing cold, near busy streets at night, etc. Be aware of the temperatures and your surroundings and always make safe choices. Even if you feel like you are inconveniencing production, SAFETY FIRST. Every set will have a medic on site. If you or someone is feeling ill, ask a PA to radio for the set medic. If someone is already hurt, yell “MEDIC” and “HELP!”

DON’T LOOK AT THE CAMERA. The only exception to this rule is if the director tells you to do so.

NO VISITORS. No friends or family are allowed on set. Don’t bring anyone along with you unless they are also booked and confirmed as an extra that day. This is a job. If you have children, you will need to find a sitter. The only exception is when a minor is cast: in this case, only one parent or guardian may accompany them.

SMARTPHONES. Yes, we all have smartphones these days but they must be handled with caution on sets. When you film on any production you sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). You agree that anything you see or hear during that day’s filming is not to be shared with anyone else. Revealing any details about a film or TV show before its release is a violation of that agreement and productions can and have taken legal action against extras for such leaks. It violates intellectual copyright laws.

By the same token, photos or videos of sets, filming, or even extras in costume in holding taken with phones or any device are prohibited. If you take a photo of yourself in costume, even if you’re not on a set, you can’t post that photo (or video) to any public venue or social media platform until after the show/episode or movie has been released. You may not describe in text what you saw on set on any public venue or social media platform. This is very important. If you violate the NDA, you can face legal action, be banned from the set, be banned from future seasons of a TV show or sequels of films, and be banned from the casting company as well. Your phone shouldn’t leave holding unless you’re instructed to bring it by production and then it should be silent. If that’s a problem, secure it in your vehicle.