02/12/2015
General rules of what to expect when you work....You will need to check in before going to wardrobe or getting something to eat or drink because you will need to fill out your paperwork, first. You will be booked from call time to wrap, please don’t make other plans on shoot days. Expect to work 12 hours and if needed, more than 12. If you leave early or forget to sign out at the end of the shoot, you will not get paid, so don’t do that!
A few things that make things go better and are required of you:
Please come to set with a black or blue pen to fill out your paperwork, you will be filling out an I-9 proving that you can work in the US, so bring Either your valid passport Or state issued ID with Social Security card …Be camera ready with your hair and make up done when you arrive and by wearing your favorite choice outfit that best suits which category you were booked, along with three to five other choices of wardrobe in a bag (hang up bags are best so clothes are less wrinkled but a roller bag is better than no bag to contain your clothes and stuff). If you smoke, please don’t do it next to production areas (especially video village), right in front of an entrance of a building or non-smokers. If you need to go to the bathroom and you are placed in the shot, make sure that either the closest AD, wrangler or Production Assistant checks to make sure you aren’t in the direct view of the shot. Please always be where we ask you because you could miss you 15 minutes of fame, which comes with lots of money if you make the edit, if we can’t find you and the director needs you for a possible upgrade. So, don’t do that to us or you. Also, please do not talk above a whisper on set because it makes it difficult to hear over you and the crew will need to communicate without yelling. Please listen when you are given instructions so you aren’t confused of what you need to do when we are rolling and the director calls, "background”.
You will be signing a contract on set that states that you agree not to discuss who is in the shot or talk about what happened at all on set for the commercial before it airs. Do not take any pictures and do not post anything on social media Ie Facebook, twitter, Instagram or your dating profile, etc about the commercial especially pictures. Basically, please be the kind of person you would want on set if you were covering the production costs (think of it costing $30,000. a minute). Now, the best possible way to get noticed is not to try to get noticed. If you are trying to get upgraded by calling a lot of attention to yourself, chances are it will backfire. Doing a great job of what you are asked to do and asked not to do is the best way to get noticed.
Please Be On Time…there will be people in the wings ready to take your spot. Being prepared and on time will grant you more camera time, so please do that. Plan time for traffic, including accidents or getting lost on the way to set. We love it when people give themselves time to park, sign in and have their paperwork done without rushing or being frazzled. Also, showing up drunk, drinking or doing drugs on set will get you sent home without pay. Being hungover is also not so smart.
Please don’t guess on your contracts about what to fill out, ask one of us at the sign in table if you aren’t sure and we are happy to help. Another big "NO NO" is discussing your pay rate with anyone on or off set. Money is a touchy subject and should be avoided. Sleeping and snoring on set is also frowned upon. You will receive a copy of your voucher for your records.
Thanks in advance and see you on set.
Kathryn Moore
On set production services/Atmosphere Casting South
