A call sheet is a schedule issued to the cast and crew of a production, including contact information and location details. It can be difficult to interpret and includes notes on transportation, safety, and clothing. A master call sheet is maintained in an office, and people are expected to show up on time and contact the scheduling coordinator with any conflicts.
A call sheet is a chart issued to the cast and crew of a stage or film production, listing the production schedule. Typically, in addition to including a schedule, the call sheet also includes a list of contact information for other cast and crew members. These sheets are often issued at the start of the week because schedules change frequently and trying to plan ahead can get quite tricky. As a general rule, when these documents are assembled, the scheduler assumes that all of them are available at all times unless otherwise specified.
The information on a call sheet can be difficult to interpret at a glance, especially for people unfamiliar with the industry. Typically, the production schedule is listed by “call time,” such as when people are expected. Call times vary depending on whether someone is in the cast or crew and what is scheduled for the day. In addition to listing call times, the sheet also includes the location of the call and makes a note of what’s scheduled so people know what to expect.
Call sheets usually include information on how to get to the location of the call and may include notes on parking, whether or not meals are provided, and so on. Many companies encourage people to carpool to distant locations, and sometimes transportation is provided, in which case the document will state that everyone meets in a parking lot at a specific time and proceeds to the location. Safety notes, clothing recommendations, and other errors can also be included on a call sheet, assuming that because everyone needs to read the sheet, this information will reach everyone involved in the production.
A master call sheet, including the day’s full schedule, will be maintained in an office. These sheets list all the positions used by the first and second units, along with the schedules of office staff and other support personnel. Watching a main call sheet would be too confusing, so copies of isolated sections of the program are often produced separately for cast and crew. People are also usually encouraged to call a text line the night before to confirm the time of the call.
People are expected to read their call sheets and show up on time. If people have questions or scheduling conflicts arise, you should contact the scheduling coordinator to discuss the issue. As a general rule, last minute conflicts are seen as a big deal, because scheduling a production relies on the coordination of so many people that one person’s absence or delay can put a serious wrinkle in production planning .
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