Film Etiquette

Film Etiquette and Film Etiquette and Set Safety ProtocolSet Safety Protocol

Lecture prepared 11/16/08

by John M. Grace,I.A.T.S.E. member and film instructor

D.A.T.A. Charter High SchoolAlbuquerque, New Mexico

© 2008, Digital Filmmaking Institute All Rights Reserved

Photos courtesy of The Duke City Shootoutfor use availability email

[email protected]


Etiquette: “the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life”

Courtesy of Webster’s Online


Etiquette is a matter of common sense if you apply the “Golden Rule”

Most of what we know about etiquette we learned at home

Many of the rules of business etiquette you never learn until you make a mistake

Film etiquette is even stricter


In some cultures, etiquette is practiced from birth

Ours is not one of those


Find 7 errors of social etiquette in the photo on the left


As a film tech, it is your duty to learn and practice some simple rules of etiquette and protocol

More people are fired on films for breaches of etiquette and protocol than any other reason

What follows are some of the most important skills you can learn in order to work in film


1. Arrive On Time (generally, 15 minutes early is considered to be on time)

2. Do Your Job and don’t tell anyone else how to do theirs unless they ask for help or are in danger


3. Be Polite Always say please, thank you and you’re welcome (not “yeah”) and refer to superiors as “sir”

4. Be Humble When someone compliments you on a job well done, thank them


5. Respect the Actor’s Space Stay out of their eye-line whenever possible and work quietly around them

6. No Autographs When working with a famous actor, never ask for pictures or their autographs


7. Listen and Ask Questions if you have any doubt about what has been requested of you

8. Be Alert - Watch for every opportunity to assist your fellow crew members


9. Make Your Superior Look Good by doing your job efficiently and you will become invaluable to him/her

10. Follow the Chain of Command - All suggestions/complaints should be made to your direct supervisor


11. Learn People’s Names & Positions as a matter of respect and to show you care

12. No Whining! Moods are contagious and people prefer to work with people who have a good attitude


13. When You Arrive, Check In with your superior - things often come up that need immediate attention

14. Avoid cursing and telling distasteful jokes as a matter of respect for co-workers and young actors


15. Turn Off Phones or leave them in your car until lunch or wrap

16. Never Touch Props - It is often a “hot set” and moving something might ruin continuity


17. No Loud Talking at any time on set - The production team needs to concentrate

18. Hold All Sensitive Conversations out of ear range of others as a courtesy to those involved


19. Have the Correct Tools for the Job it is your responsibility to own the right tools and to know their use

20. Learn the Correct Terminology for all equipment and use it whenever possible


21. Friends & Family Not Allowed on Set unless you clear it in advance with the AD, UPM or Producer

22. Photos and Video Usually Prohibited unless you clear it in advance with the AD, UPM or Producer


23. Admit it When You Make a Mistake It is much easier to undo a mistake if it is revealed immediately

24. Never Take “Set Heat” Personally Harsh words are common on set in the heat of production


25. Never Party Too Hard Before a Call Don’t let the night before affect your work performance

26. Never Leave Set unless there’s a real emergency and only after checking with the AD, UPM or Producer


27. Never Let Your Personality Conflicts Get Out of Hand There will be people who you will find difficult to get along with, but you will only be working together for a short period of time


28. Withhold Critical Opinions of Other People’s Work Unless you are the Director, DP or Exec. Producer

29. Be Honest - If you are asked for your opinion or feedback then speak kindly, and from the heart


30. People Notice Your Best Efforts and reward you with future work and advances

31. Everyone Started Somewhere - If you ask for advice or help, most set technicians are eager to mentor


32. Be Patient - All departments have the right to finish their work without hostility from other workers

33. Be Efficient - The worst thing you can do is to hold up the set - TIME IS MONEY


34. Respect Civilians Maintaining positive public relations is the responsibility of all set technicians

35. Respect Locations We are dependant on using locations and can’t afford to lose any


36. Respect the Gear Film equipment is valuable and needs to be handled carefully

37. Respect your Co-workers - No one deserves to and never should work in a hostile environment


Protocol: “a code prescribing strict adherence to correct procedure (as in diplomatic exchange and in the military services)”

Courtesy of Webster’s Online


Protocol is not simply a matter of doing things according to a proscribed procedure, following protocol can save your life

A motion picture set can be a very dangerous place

Before you walk onto a set, you need to learn a few simple rules and attend the Set Safety training offered by IATSE 480


38. Don’t be a Hero do your job safely and deliberately (there’s no running on set for safety reasons)

39. Act Professionally Never horse around on set - it is a serious workplace and can be dangerous


40. No Music Devices They remove you from the moment and impair your ability to hear instructions

41. Avoid Loose Clothing or Jewelry It can get tangled in equipment and cause an accident or injury


42. Drink Plenty of Water & Use Sunscreen - It is easy to dehydrate in our arid climate

43. Take Vitamins & Use Hand Sanitizer It is easy to catch colds on set due to long hours and germs


44. Listen Carefully to Safety Briefings - The First AD or Stunt Coordinator will give a safety briefing before all stunts

45. Only re-enter the set after the Stunt Coordinator or First AD gives the “All Clear”


46. The Armorer is in Charge of all prop Guns and Weapons - never handle them unless supervised

47. Report Dangerous Conditions (including drug or alcohol use by co-workers) to the AD or UPM immediately


48. No Open-toed Shoes – It is easy to have something dropped on your feet

49. Work carefully around power tools – And only work when others are present in case of an accident


50. During Dangerous Stunts and Setups If you ever feel that your safety is being compromised by the actions of a co-worker or by the production company, you have the right to speak out with-out fear of retribution

Film Etiquette

Education

Transcript of Film Etiquette