Author: yloproductions.co.uk

A Contact List

The logo of the production company, the address of the production office, and the contact information for the most important people on set (the director, the producer, the first assistant director, etc.) are often located in the upper left corner of a call sheet. This is the first place that actors and crew members would look if they had an urgent need to contact someone.

Production Name and Casting Notice

The production’s name and the standard call time for the entire crew should always appear near the top of the call sheet. This is the right spot to make any noteworthy proclamations you may have.

Time, Days, and Climate Conditions

The date and the day of the shoot (e.g., Day 1 of 10) are typically listed near the top. High and low temperatures, as well as the times of sunrise and sunset, are displayed here as well.

Indicate Location, Parking Information, and Nearby Medical Facilities

Call sheets typically list locations on the top half of the sheet. Label each site with a number (e.g., “Location 1,” “Location 2,” “Location 3,” etc.) if there is more than one.

Since the parking location is frequently different from the filming location, be sure to include it as well. This is where you would include information on transportation options, such as parking, driving directions, and shuttles.

Include the address of the closest hospital to each facility, no matter how big or little they are. Only in the event of a genuine emergency on set will you need to consult the call sheet for this information. Make sure the hospital on your call sheet is a full-service facility, not just a walk-in clinic.

Timetable for Each Day of Filming

The bulk of a call sheet then focuses on the day’s actual objectives. In most cases, the following details will be included with each scene:

• The Act and Scene Number Title Page from the Script
• Scene notes (including important props, stunts, and pre-production work)
• The Scene, Day or Night
• Character Identifiers for Cast Members Who Perform
• Where the action is taking place
• The scene’s page count

At the end of each day, add up all the pages to see how many were read in total. As a general rule of thumb, an independent film with heavy dialogue shoots roughly 5 pages every day.

Meals and Company Relocations

Don’t forget to add the lunch break time to the agenda. A full supper must be served no later than six hours after the general crew call, per union regulations. Include corporate relocations (including details such as time, location, and parking instructions, if applicable).

Skills Inventory

Talent call times will be listed in a separate section below the daily schedule. The name of the talent, their character ID number (such as 1, 2, 3, etc.), the name of the character, their status, and their call times are all commonly listed here.

On a Call Sheet, What Does the Status Column Mean?

If the project spans multiple days, the talent’s employment status can be found in the Status column. Start, Work, Hold, and Finish (S, W, H, F) are all used to fill out this column:

• The talent “Starts Work” (or “SW”) on the specified day.
• To have a talent whose “W” denotes “Works,” which indicates they are actively engaged in their job.
• Work Finish indicates that this is the last day of employment for the designated employee.
• The acronym “SWF” stands for “Start-Work-Finish,” and it indicates that your skills will only be used for that single day.
• “H” represents “Hold,” which indicates that your skill is not being utilised today.

On a Call Sheet, What Do the Terms “Pickup” and “On Set” Mean?

A talent’s pickup time is when they will be picked up and driven to the set. This is typically done when a cast or crew is filming in a different city or country and needs to get them to and from their hotel. Talent may be expected to self-transport to set on local initiatives. In this scenario, you can either leave the pickup column blank or type O/T, which stands for “Own Transport.”

The “On Set” call time column specifies when the artist must be completely ready to perform, including any necessary cosmetics and costume changes.

Extras and Replacement Performers

The call times and rostered extra ‘types’ for the day are detailed on the extras list. Shooting a scene in a cafe can necessitate the use of as many as 21 extras, including 17 customers, 3 baristas, 4 servers, etc. The total number of people is then calculated by adding in all the extras. The number of extras for the day can then be sent to the relevant departments (production, makeup, clothing, catering, assistant director, etc.).

When famous actor or actress isn’t in the spotlight or can’t do their stunts, they often use a stand-in or stunt double. They have one or two call times every week, just like extras. The name of the performer or character they are standing in for should be listed alongside the name of the stand-in or stunt person.

Department-Specific Notes

There should be a place to identify department-specific notes on most call sheets. Whether it’s a reminder to bring anything to set (like papers) or a list of crucial elements for the scene, these notes can be about anything. The point is made.

Roster

List all the crew members present that day after the talent. Position, name, and call time are all that are typically required. Other productions prefer not to omit contact information.

Advance Schedule

An advanced schedule is a rough plan for the next day of filming. While this isn’t always required (as the shooting schedule is subject to change daily), it is often beneficial to give the talent and crew an indication of what to expect the following day.

The advanced schedule appears exactly like the schedule shown above (see point #5), but it is clearly labelled as an “Advanced Schedule” with the correct date and days of the week.

Using Walkie-Talkies as a Means of Communication

Walkie-talkies can be included in a call sheet’s general notes or footer. Routes may differ from production to production, thus it’s always a good idea to lay them out on the call sheet, even though there are generally accepted routes for each department.

Get a Call Sheet Ready in a Minute

You can make a call sheet in Excel or with some free production management tools. We predict that the days of creating call sheets in Excel are numbered. Online call sheets provide for a considerably more rapid turnaround time. Hospitals, local weather, and map locations can all be pre-filled automatically. To prevent information overload and mental disorientation, recipients receive individualised digests. They look great when viewed on mobile devices, making them useful for on-the-go talent and crew.  Finally, when you use call sheet software, you can see exactly when and by whom the sheets are seen.

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One of the best ways to welcome summer is to organise a picture shoot in an outside setting.  If you want to take better photos for your blog or social media, here are some pointers.

Location is Key

Think about your goal ahead of time. The atmosphere of the photos is extremely dependent on the location. The playful, flirtatious atmosphere of the beach conveys a different spirit of summer than the steamy atmosphere of the city. Use Google Maps and Google Earth to do some “geo-scouting” and find promising areas. Multiple helpful filters are built into these applications. Explore vast areas from above, get a bird’s-eye view of the ground, and get a closer look at specific areas with the help of sample images from other users to get a closer look at the finer details and unique features. Some of the things I think about before each shot are:

• Is it possible to travel to the site without breaking any laws?  When I’m on foot with customers, I aim to reduce the distance covered to a minimum for everyone’s sake.
• Aesthetics – Is the area free from visual obstructions such as telephone poles and cables, automobiles, buildings, etc. in at least some directions? Is there a lovely backdrop, such as a field, ocean, mountains, dunes, cobblestone streets, or a cityscape view?
• While seasoned models may work in any environment, the privacy afforded by a more isolated setting is often appreciated by both the model’s inexperienced colleagues and the client.

Props Can Help

Think about what you saw in your mind’s eye as you prepare for your session. Are flower petals or bouquets optional? Flowing fabric? Is that bright umbrella only for show, or are you planning to use it to keep you dry when it rains? Towel or beach ball? Think of and prepare for any contingency; bring as many alternatives as you can. Bring whatever you can fit into a beach bag.

Create a Timetable

When filming on location, the sun doesn’t wait for anyone. There is a window of time around sunset known as the “golden hour” that is ideal for many photographers. You won’t have much time to shoot before the sun goes down if you’re late to the spot. Using a spreadsheet to plan out your itinerary is a brilliant approach for keeping yourself on track. Plan your arrival well in advance to avoid arriving late due to rush hour traffic or the sun setting.

One time, shooting above a highway meant I only got ONE decent photo before the sun set behind the mountains. It’s important to note that the “horizon” time used in online listings of sunset times is different from the “mountain” time used in the actual observation of sunset. The mountains will obscure the sun earlier than the seashore would. It should come as no surprise that the available light will be dramatically reduced considerably earlier in wooded areas than in locations with an open horizon.

How about a hair and makeup artist for the session?  Portrait sessions with the family don’t, but boudoir and glamour shoots often do. In such a case, you’ll need to factor in at least 90 minutes of their time. Planning should also include time for exploring the area and preparing the venue. Once you are there, you may need to move around and think about where to stand to get the greatest possible shot at the location.

How to Find the Proper Equipment

The quality of your summertime outdoor photographs can be greatly affected by the gear you choose to use. Please give some thought to the lens you’ll require. A wide-angle lens, for instance, may seize an entire beach or mountain range, while a telephoto lens excels at taking detailed close-ups. Filters are important; a polarising filter, for example, will help you capture more accurate colours in the sky and water by eliminating reflections. Furthermore, a solid tripod can guarantee clear photographs, especially in low-light circumstances like sunrise or sunset.

Clothing Options

It’s not just the setting or the decorations that can make or break a photo; the clothes the subjects are wearing also matter. The images will stand out if you put some thought into your outfit and how it will go with the setting. Dressing for the beach should be relaxed, with a focus on light colours. Something edgier and riskier, perhaps, might be appropriate in a city atmosphere. Keep in mind that during a hot summer shoot, it’s important that your outfits not only look well but also feel good. Make sure your clients and models know to pack extra clothes just in case.

Managing Difficulties

Several unique difficulties arise during summer shooting. The photographer, the subjects, and the equipment can all suffer in high temperatures and humidity. Don’t forget to stock up on refreshments, food, sun protection, and a portable fan to keep everyone comfortable in the heat. It’s important to remember that high temperatures can also damage your camera equipment. Don’t leave your gear in a hot car; instead, cover it with a towel or an umbrella when it’s not in use.

Set a Backup Rain Date

Here in the Cape Town area, we always have to think about the possibility of bad weather. Shooting on your primary date if everything is a go, or falling back to your alternate date if weather creeps in, is easier if you have two days’ worth of resources (models, customers, stylists, assistants, etc.) aligned, ideally 2-3 days apart. All the time and thought you put into arranging your session won’t go to waste thanks to this.

Lighting Should Be Considered

The intense shadows that the midday light casts across people’s faces might make for a difficult session. Either find some way to block the sun, or bring in reflectors or strobes to even things out. Shooting after sundown necessitates the use of artificial illumination to illuminate the subject. It’s not only about whether or not you have an umbrella, portable beauty dish, or softbox handy; it’s also about whether or not you have the requisite weights to keep such things from toppling over in the slightest breeze.

Golden hour sessions are unique in that extra illumination is not typically required. The sun can be used to light from the front for gorgeous gold-toned portraiture, or from the back to create a soft, gauzy wash.

You may get a lot out of your summer training if you follow these guidelines. The best way to ensure that your outside shoot goes off without a hitch is to visualise and plan for it ahead of time. That way, you may unleash your full artistic potential on set.  Get out there and take advantage of the beautiful weather while you can.