Etiquette
First time on a film set? Or has it been a while? Take a look at the following rules, procedures and on-set etiquette tips.
Arriving on set
Wardrobe
Hair & Make-up
Hurry Up and Wait ... And Wait ...
Cameras and autographs
Restrooms
Lunch!
Check-out & Payroll
Arriving on set:
There is an old saying: "If you can't be on time, be early." It is essential to arrive on set no later than the call time given to you by the casting office. But there is also no reason to be over-eager. If you show up an hour ahead of time, there may be nobody there to greet you. A good 15 minutes before is wonderful. Any earlier, and we may not be ready for you.
Look for signs that designate Extras Parking (or sometimes Xtras Parking). Find someone with a walkie-talkie that will most likely be a Production Assistant (PA) and they can get you the proper information on parking, and then where to go to find the Extras Holding area. Take all of your clothes and materials with you. Bring a book, magazine or something else to pass the time. You may be there a while. That's part of the fun, right?
When you arrive to the holding area, make sure you check in with the PA or the AD (Assistant Director) assigned to the extras. Failure to check in might end up in a very panicked voice mail from the production office. You will also more than likely need to get a pay voucher from them and fill it out completely. Proper ID is required to fill out the I-9 form so please have your legal identification ready to show (see the payroll section below for list of acceptable ID).
You will usually be responsible for keeping the voucher until time to turn it in at the end of the day. If the wardrobe department lends you clothing to wear in the scene, they may hold your voucher "ransom" for the day. You must remember to get your voucher from them when you turn in your wardrobe.
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Wardrobe:
The next order of business is to get you dressed for the scene. Unless the production provides specific wardrobe for you ,or you were fitted ahead of time, you were probably told to bring at least three different outfits from home. You will need to show all of these choices to the wardrobe supervisor or costumer for the extras.
The wardrobe supervisor will usually have a color preference for extras' clothing, so there may be specific colors it will be necessary to avoid. A good rule of thumb is to try to avoid solid red, white or black, unless instructed otherwise by the casting office or wardrobe department. Also, avoid busy prints, patterns and neon colors-again, unless you have been instructed otherwise. The big rule: No logos on clothing or message t-shirts.
When choosing outfits to bring, keep in mind that you may be asked to look like a completely different person in another scene. Glasses and hats and changing your hairstyle are effective ways to change your look.
Once you are dressed and have received final approval from the wardrobe department, your outfit must remain as it has been approved. It is most important when you are on the set. Do not rearrange your wardrobe for personal comfort after a scene "master" has been shot. That hat or coat (buttoned or unbuttoned) may well be in continuity.
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Hair & Make-up :
You should arrive on set with hair and make-up (ladies only, of course) already done, but the hair and make-up departments will need to approve your look. They will want to see you after you are dressed in your approved wardrobe.
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Hurry Up and Wait ... And Wait ...:
Now you are ready to roll. You are just waiting on us. Sometimes moving the camera and setting the lights can take some time. Please remain in the holding area until called to the set. At various times throughout the day the AD's will call for extras to be placed in the scene. They will choose different people for different reasons. If you are not selected right away, please be patient and your turn will come. If you need to leave holding for any reason, be it a restroom break, a trip to your car to get a forgotten item, or even outside for a smoke break, please let your PA know, so someone always knows how to find you on short notice.
It may seem in extras holding that nothing is getting done and work is very slow, but once you get to set, you will see a crew working very hard and very fast to get the next shot. Please be patient and have the great attitude we are so known for in this part of the country.
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Cameras and autographs:
We know it can be very exciting to appear in a movie, especially around big Hollywood stars. And we know many people like to have a memento of their experience. But remember, a film set is a professional work environment. It is the office. It is also where a product is being created, and publicity of that product is carefully controlled.
Please do not bring cameras to set. Photographs are usually only allowed by the official on-set photographer.
A star must maintain a certain level of concentration throughout their work day. Do not break their concentration at any time by asking them for an autograph. There are, however, times during the day when the production is between camera setups and the concentration is eased a little. Stars will sometimes turn to the extras to shake hands, say hello, or thank you for being there. If that opportunity arises, you might feel comfortable asking for an autograph. But just remember, some people, whether they are an actor, a plumber, or a dentist, just don't like to be bothered while they are at work.
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Restrooms:
There is usually a separate restroom area for the extras since the honeywagon located at base camp has a limited capacity and must be reserved for crew and principal cast. If an announcement has not been made about the location of the extras restroom area, please ask the PA's.
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Lunch!:
Lunch is handled in one of two ways. Sometimes, in order to speed the process, there is a separate lunch line for extras in or near the holding area. If that is the case, form an orderly line when lunch is called. But do not go through the line or pick food from the table until the official call of "Lunch" is made.
Other times, there is only one lunch line. In that event, all extras must wait for the crew to go through the line first.
Lunch is only a 30 minute break and the crew will be needed back on the set before the extras. The break time actually begins as the last crew member goes through the line so a PA will usually hold the extras back for the few minutes it takes get the crew through the line. Once given the OK, if a straggling crew person comes up to the line, please invite them to step in front of you. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
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Check-out & Payroll:
At the end of the day, or when you have been officially released from work, you must check out with a P.A. to have your voucher approved in order to be paid. Make sure you also receive your copy of the approved voucher for your records.
Pay checks do not come through the casting office. Every production utilizes a payroll service. The pay vouchers are provided by the payroll company and their phone number is printed on the voucher should you have any questions about your pay.
Checks are usually mailed to you in about two weeks. If you have an agent who requires that checks be sent to them, it is up to you to put your agents address on your voucher.
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