First time on a film set and you feel like a fish out of water? Here are some guidelines on what to do and not do on a film set that people already expect you should know:
1. DO find someone responsible for you
The first thing you should do when you arrive at the film set is to find the person who is responsible for you, the one who tells you what to do and what not to do.
2. DO find out about catering
Try and find out where the food and drinks are so you know where to go when you need refreshments.
3. DO find the washroom
After all those refreshments—food and drinks—that you’ve had, you are going to need to locate where the washroom is and it’s better if you find out beforehand!
4.DO find out where the makeup, hair, and costume area is
Usually, you’ll find them near each other. So it’s better to locate it before you have to get dressed and leave your things there.
5. DON’T be late
After you are done with makeup and hair, you’ll have to wait for some time for the set to get ready. So being early means you’ll be able to snag one of the limited seats they have there and avoid sitting on the floor.
6. DON’T wander without letting people know where you are
Being where you are when you’re needed is ideal, but if you have to step away for a moment, let people know where you are otherwise it might cause panic or a fuss. Just let them know, ‘Hey, I need to go to the washroom, I’ll be back in a few minutes, is that okay?’ or something like that.
7. DON’T be rude
This may seem obvious—and it is—because there is no reason why you shouldn’t be nice to people. It may be your first time on set but these people on set have worked together or known each other for a long time and they talk. They talk about you, they talk about all the people on set because they have nothing else to do except for working on the film! So make a good first impression—and a lasting one—by being nice, always! Because they’ll remember it.
That’s it for the guidelines on Do’s and Don’t’s on a film set. To sum up: find out the basic information, always let people know where you are and always be nice!
Good luck, and have a great day on set!