WHAT IS A CALL SHEET? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Call Sheet / Photo Credit: Amy Clarke Films

WHAT IS A CALL SHEET? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

WHAT IS A CALL SHEET?

The daily call sheet is a filmmaking term for the schedule crafted by the assistant director, using the director's shot list. It is issued to the cast and crew of a film production to inform them of where and when they should report for a particular day of filming. The production schedule is listed by call time, the time when people are expected to start work on a film set.

A call sheet, or “daily call sheet,” is a schedule based on your daily shot lists, given to cast and crew to let them know when and where they should report for a particular day of filming. You should have a call sheet for every single day of filming, and while it might seem like unnecessary extra work, it’s not. In fact, done correctly, making call sheets will actually save you time, in addition to making your set look way more professional than it actually is.

Information found on call sheets

Call sheets include other useful information such as contact information (e.g. phone numbers of crew members and other contacts), the schedule for the day, which scenes and script pages are being shot, and the address of the shoot location. Call sheets have information about cast transportation arrangements, parking instructions and safety notes.

Call sheets may also provide logistical information regarding the location. It is common to find such items as weather information, sunrise/sunset times, local hospitals, restaurants, and hardware stores on call sheets.

Call sheets are an imperative part of the pre-production process. It provides all the details to your cast and crew to ensure everyone is on the same page for the day. It makes sure they show up on time (early) with everything they need to be successful on the day. Like all aspects of the production process, although there are industry standards for how these are done, find a process and template that works for you and your cast / crew and roll with that. Call sheets are there to set you up for success – not create un-needed work.

Below is a broken down list of some essentials for all call sheets. Again, pick and choose what is important for you.

Working Title: Having a working title will keep you organized from the get-go. Whether multiple productions are rolling at the same time or if you simply need a way to keep all assets organized (including invoicing at the end of the project), this is a good way to go. The title can change when the production is released but as long as you have some system for keeping all assets for the project together.

Date / Call Time / Lunch Time: The call time should be front and center on your call sheet. It is the most important of the lot. It is imperative that everyone shows up on time – so make sure that the time is easily viewed. For crew that wants the first meal, they can usually expect to have to show up about 30 minutes early to eat as they are expected to be on-set working at the given call time – not just showing up to work at that time. Regarding lunch time, having that on the call sheet shows people when they can expect food to be there for them. Keeping the crew hydrated and fed is the best way to ensure a happy crew. If you happen to have to push lunch a few minutes to finish off a scene, keep your crew informed so they aren’t in the dark.

Craft / Catering: List who is catering the shoot as well as any specific food requirements. You will also want to include the amount of mouths to feed.

Transportation Information / Location Details / Maps: This is a very important section and needs to be clear and concise. Whether a shuttle is required or available or information on parking should also be included. Having a central meeting location is also a good idea to keep everyone together. This helps with any unit moves if they exist.  List all of the locations for the day and number them in the order you will be going to them. Make sure to have the address as well as contact information for someone at the location. At the bottom of the call sheet, you will also want to include maps for each location. This can also include a marker for parking. This will clear any confusion for people.

Weather Details: Weather details are also a good one to include. It gives the crew important information to ensure they dress appropriately and show up prepared for the given weather conditions.

Nearest Hospital / First Aid / Fire Extinguisher: You may have multiple locations in one day so make sure to have all hospital information included toward the top of the call sheet. This is important to make sure you are prepare if something was to ever happen. You will also want to have a first aid kit and extinguisher on set too. Include on the call sheets where those two things will be located during the shoot.

Production Office: If there is a production office, include the address and phone number. If there is any specific invoicing information for the crew, include that as well.

Key Crew Contact Info: At the bottom of every call sheet should include contact information for the key crew members (Producer, Production Manager, Production Coordinator, and 1st AD).

Scene Breakdowns: This is the meat and bones of the call sheet. It should include all of the scenes scheduled to be shot on the day. You need to include the scene number, scene heading, description, cast, pages, and location number. You may also want to include how much time is allotted for every scene but that totally depends on the style of your production. Some First AD’s like to keep this on their own call sheets so the entire crew isn’t stressing if they are behind. The job of the First AD is to ensure they stay on track and communicates with the Director and DP to ensure they are able to get their shooting day completed – or works with both to see what can be cut or added (almost always cut — unless you have an amazing First AD that is great at his or her job).

Crew List: It is important to list all the crew members, the rolls they will be filling and their given call times. Some people will require an early call time (pre-call), such as the camera department to ensure they are ready to go for the general call (which is the big time in bold near the top of the call sheet). I will generally have a line item near the top of the call sheet that explains that some departments should reference individual call times to see when they are needed.

Cast List: Include both the character names and their real names as well. Don’t include contact information for them but make sure to include both their names so everyone knows who is who. Make sure to include their pick up time, makeup time and set call time. You will also want to use SW / H / FW (Start Work / Hold / Finish Work) as well as H / M / U (Hair / Makeup) codes. That lets everyone know the status of the given actor.

Background: Make sure to have a separate section for extras / background performers. All you need here is their given call times.

Special Notes: Having a section for specific notes, like department needs is a good way to lay out any extra things that may need to be considered. This would include a list of stunts or special props that are needed.

Radios / Walkie Channels: Near the bottom of each page of the call sheet, you should include a list of Walkie channels and which department should be using them. You can determine what works best for your given scenario.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, How Stuff Works, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Bright Hub, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Liberty Me, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection, My Job Search, Prospects, David Mullich, Gear Shift, Video University, Oxford Dictionaries’, Boredom Therapy, The Bold Italic, Nicholas Persac, The Guardian, Jones on art, Studio Binder, Preston Kanak

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Call Sheet / Photo Credit: Amy Clarke Films