Working On Set
Here’s what you can expect during your work day from start to finish.
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1.Always be on time for work! If you think you might be late please contact us immediately. Always make sure you have the contact numbers for your agent or our office with you at all times.
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2.Once you arrive, report directly to the location you were given and find your contact person. You then will be signed in and given your time sheet. Please complete your time sheet immediately and return it to your contact person.
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3.In order to fill out your time sheet correctly, always bring a pen, your Social Insurance Number, your complete mailing address and the name of your agent, if you have one. Make sure you print clearly. Time sheets will not be paid if they are incomplete, illegible or do not have a valid Social Insurance Number or a complete mailing address. At the end of your work day you must sign out on your time sheet in order to get paid.
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4.Extras holding is the designated area where Extras wait until they are required on set. While in Extras holding you’ll be processed through the Costume, Hair and Make-Up departments. Please read the information in Department Requirements. Never leave Extras holding as you may be called to set at any moment.
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5.Always listen carefully to any information you’re given.
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6.When you’re on set please do not talk and make sure your cell phone is turned off completely.
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7.Still or video photography on and off set is not allowed.
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8.Do not disturb the actors. Do not request autographs or pictures.
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9.Never look at the camera.
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10.Once you go to set the A.D.s will give you your movement or blocking for a scene. We’ll repeat and match everything for different camera angles so it’s important that you remember exactly what you did and how you looked in each scene. This is called continuity. To help you remember you may want to make notes for yourself during your work day.
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11.Most productions will rehearse the blocking of a scene several times prior to filming. When the director is ready to shoot the following prompts will be heard:
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The 1st A.D. will call out "roll sound" to initiate sound recording.
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Next, the sound department will call out "sound speed" to confirm that they are recording sound.
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After that, the camera department will sync the film and sound using a time slate or clapper. They may also call out "frame" to confirm that they are filming.
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Then the 1st A.D. will call out "background action" to cue the Extras to begin their movement.
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Lastly, the director will call out "action" to cue the actors.
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12.Once the scene is completed the director will call "cut". It is very important that you continue the action you have been given until you have heard the director call "cut".
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13.Once a shot is completed and the director has called "cut" the A.D.s may ask you to go to your "first marks" or return to your "number ones". This means you must return to your beginning position and prepare to shoot the scene again.
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14.Never leave set unless you are directed to do so by an A.D. When you do leave set please go directly to Extras holding and wait for your next instructions.
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15.Never leave work until you’re told you are “wrapped” and you’ve signed out on your time sheet. Extras who fail to sign out will not be paid.
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16.When you’re leaving please ensure you take all of your belongings home with you. Anything that is left at the end of the day is tagged as "lost and found" and sent to the production office. If you do forget something please contact the production office. Please note that productions are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
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17.Light snacks and beverages are provided periodically during the work day. This is called craft service. Please note that there is often one craft service table for crew members and a seperate table for Extras. Please do not eat from the crew member's craft service table.
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18.A light lunch is provided. If you have any special dietary needs you may want to bring your own meal. Please note that lunch is not served during the typical lunch hour but is generally served six hours after the crew has started working.
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19.Report any injuries or illnesses immediately.
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20.Arrive at work prepared for weather conditions. Always bring an umbrella.
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21.Waiting is a large part of an Extra’s job. Please feel free to bring a book or some other form of quiet entertainment with you. Sleeping at work is not allowed.
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22.Keep your valuables with you at all times. Never bring large amounts of money or unnecessary items with you to work. Please note that productions are not responsible for lost or stolen property.
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23.For your own reference, each day that you work make note of your call time, wrap time and pay rate.
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24.Always deposit your garbage in a trash can.
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25.If you smoke please smoke in designated smoking areas only. When extinguishing your cigarettes please use the butt can provided by the Locations department.
