What Really Happens on Set? - Part 2

Part 2: On the Job!

So the day on set has finally arrived, no doubt you are feeling excited, but maybe a little nervous! Here are a few tips to get you through the nerves and into feeling confident and ready to tackle your first job.

You should plan to arrive approximately 10-15 minutes before your call time and find the contact person as listed for you on the call sheet or booking confirmation. Occasionally the production can be running behind schedule and you could be asked to wait. This is when the colouring books or iPad's come in handy! Other times the production crew will be ready and waiting for you and your child.

There are usually lots of people on set who keep production going behind the scenes and they are usually set-up in separate trailers a short distance away from the actual set so not to interrupt any filming in progress with noise or movement. 

You will be introduced to the location nurse who is there to look after the wellbeing of underage talent by making sure they are safe, taking breaks at allocated times and have something to eat and drink. Your contact person will also make sure that someone from the ‘Wardrobe’ or ‘Costume’ department knows that you have arrived. They will either choose from the outfits you brought by request or have items ready to try on. Parents can help their child get dressed if necessary. On some shoots, children might also be required to go through ‘Hair and Make-up’. In general minimal make-up will be applied and sometimes none at all for children.

Soon it will be time to make your way to the actual set for filming. With younger children, parents are always allowed to stay close by or within sight, but it is important to be aware of your surroundings and not get in anyones way. 

Here are a few general rules when on set:

• Make sure you turn your phone off! 

• Do not talk or move around once the director calls ACTION until after they have called CUT.

• Do not try and tell your child what to do from the sidelines. Let the director (or whoever is working with them) direct your child.

If you do have any questions or concerns, speak to the person who has been assigned to look after you and your child on set.

Your child may film everything that is required for the day in one go or there might be a few breaks when you will be looking after them and need to keep them occupied. Snacks are often supplied and if filming has been scheduled over a meal time then you might both sit down with cast and crew and enjoy the Catering on location.

When your child has finished work (often referred to as being ‘wrapped’) the crew person in charge will let you know and you will need to sign out for the day. Take note of the time you have finished so you can let our casting department know. 

Once you have been told you can leave, collect all of your belongings and be sure to thank the crew and the people who have looked after you.

Here are a few additional tips:

Be positive! It’s nice for the crew to have someone around who is happy, easy going and helps make the day run smoothly, and they may be more likely to ask you and your child back for future projects.

Try to stay away from gossip about agents/money/other people in the industry. This can reflect badly on yourself, your child or your agency. 

Try not to bring any extra siblings or family members on set.

HAVE FUN! Enjoy the experience!

What Really Happens on Set?

Part 1: Preparing for the big day

Congratulations! Your child has finally gotten a job and now you need to know everything about your day on set so that it can be a wonderful experience for both of you.

Your agent will have confirmed the job and sent you a CALL SHEET as soon as it is available to them. Some productions are very busy and cannot confirm the details until late on the day before you are required on set, but be assured that your agent will send you the necessary information as soon as they receive it.

The most important details for you to take note of are;

• your CALL TIME (the time you are required on set)
• the exact LOCATION that you need to be at (sometimes this is a building address, but it could be a park or other public place)
• the CONTACT PERSON you are required to meet on the day (eg. in the case of extras for a television show this would be the name and phone number of the 3rd AD). You will also be given details of anything you are required to bring with you and how long you are expected to be needed for.

Research the location you are required to be at before you have to leave home. Sometimes the call sheet will provide you with instructions regarding parking and other times you will need to figure it out yourself.

Productions are busy and very costly, so it is important that you arrive at the time you have been called for so not to delay the shoot time or halt production. Arriving 10-15 minutes early is appreciated, but do not show up any earlier than this. If you arrive too early at location, take the time to relax rather than turning up and risking being in the way before production is ready for you.

Spending time with your child onset can be a great experience, but arriving unprepared can add a lot of the wrong type of drama to the day. Make sure you have any paperwork or items you have been asked to bring, but don’t take it personally if they don’t use it on the day. It happens often that they ask for items or information, just to change what they originally planned on the day and not ask for it or use it at all.

Depending on the job, clothes will be provided while you may be asked to supply your own outfits at other times. If you are required to bring clothes the wardrobe department will inform you of what is needed; often simple things like jeans, t-shirts and runners. In general, choose items that do not have any visible branding and bring a few options of each. Bright colours are often appreciated, unless told otherwise and avoid stripes as these can often bleed together and not look good on camera. Bring as many options as you think will be helpful and remember you can ask our casting department if you are uncertain about anything!

Taking some snacks with you can also save the day. The break times for meals on set can vary a lot from your usual times so have something handy to keep your child (and you!) functioning if that is the case. Catering on sets can be amazing and might be one of the highlights of your day, but it is not guaranteed that your child will like what is provided. Some productions regularly cater for children and may have an array of choices for them while others are used to looking after their adult actors and crew and may not have the things your child prefers to eat.

It is also a good idea to take toys or games to keep your child occupied, as you could be required to wait for extended periods of time before or during filming. The idea is to provide them with enough stimulation to keep them occupied, but ready to work when they are called on set.

Now you’re ready to go!

Glossary:

CALL SHEET: a document that your agent will send you from the production company, usually on the day before your job. It specifies what time you are required on set, how long you are expected to be needed for, the location you are to meet at, the name and phone number of the person you need to meet on set (or contact if you have any problems on the day) and other details .

CALL TIME: the time at which you are required to be on set. Always arrive at the location earlier than this and aim to find the person you are required to meet with 10-15 minutes before your call time.

3rd AD: 3rd Assistant Director. This is the person who is usually in charge of the extras on a television set and who you would be required to report to if that was your role for the day. For other jobs you might be asked to report to someone with a different role.

What Really Happens On Set? Part 2, will explore what happens once you arrive on the big day

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

We are all getting very excited here at Bettina HQ to shower our mums with some extra (and much deserved!) love and attention on such a special day. I asked around the office to see what a few of the girls had in store –

Our receptionist Amelia is one step ahead of everyone, probably winning first prize for the delightful daughter gig by having a bouquet of red roses delivered to her mum at lunch time today!
 
Our talent scout Jo says that her husband has a ‘surprise’ planned, and by ‘surprise’, she states she has a pretty good idea that it will be something winery related but has kept the lid shut on her source!

Our assistant manager Tallulah probably wins first prize for most creative present. When asked how she will be spoiling her mum – she informed us that her mum will be enjoying a three course meal while listening to the soothing voice of none other than Tallulah herself singing at the restaurant! Now that’s a good present!

Our national manager Ronel will be cooking homemade lasagna for her mum, followed by a delicious dessert that is ‘yet to be confirmed’, and in typical Ronel style, will probably be confirmed an hour before show time!

Our class coordinator Brodie will be spending the day baking gluten free goodies for both mum and office, hopefully enough to last us the week!

Talent coordinator Eloise and I (Jade) will be attending the Mother’s Day Classic which is a walk/run (depending on fitness abilities which in our case, aren’t too exceptional!) to support and raise awareness for breast cancer. 

Our casting manager Anna and talent booker Jayne will spend the day absorbed in food and chats at family lunches, enjoying both of these things in equal and healthy measure!

Lastly, our talent coordinator Henrietta will be spending the day missing her mum and sending virtual hugs and kisses all the way to rural South Australia!

So everyone, wherever you are and whatever you are doing – enjoy!

Here is Brodie's mum about to devour aforementioned home backed gluten free goodie!