Call Sheets
A 'call sheet' is a term in filmmaking describing the schedule usually created by the assistant director. It is issued to the cast and crew of a film to inform them of where/when they need to be during the filming process. I think it will be important for me to make one because I want to make sure that my cast are treated really well and with respect. Letting them know the exact times and places we need to meet will save time in case they are confused about the days agenda.
Call sheets usually also contain information such as contact information of cast and crew members as well as which shots are being filmed on which days.
This is the Call Sheet I have made for the shooting of my music video however I do not think that it is very helpful as my version is quite confusing. For example, the call sheet is for both actors yet I would rather make separate call sheets for each actor because for example, Kitty is not needed for some scenes. As well as this, my call sheet did not include who is needed for each scene yet just asked for 'set call' and I could only write about one shoot day. I did not understand the 'Misc. Instructions' box because I took inspiration from a call sheet template to make my own as I hadn't made one before.
I decided to make a new call sheet yet a separate one for each cast member. I would have created one for each crew member however technically I will be the only crew member as director and cameraman. In my new call sheets I hope to make them much clearer for the cast members to understand; this will avoid confusion so that there is less chance of them being late or coming to the wrong location when filming.
Here is the process of creating new second instalment of my call sheets:
I think that this type of call sheet is much more informal yet clearer for the cast members to understand so I think that giving them a copy each of the more official call sheet as well as the more informal call sheet will be more beneficial as it will allow them to understand more clearly.
Below is the call sheet that I have made for Kitty. It describes how she is needed on only one day and the call sheet is generally customised to fit her individual needs, instead of including the needs of other cast members which can make it confusing. I have also added a 'note from director' section because I think this is a nice touch as it demonstrates how I am not just a director yet also a friend who is willing to help with any questions, making me come across as less intimidating.
Below is the call sheet for Jess, who is needed on two separate days. I decided to make a separate call sheet that was created for her to again, avoid unnecessary confusion. I have noted which separate days she is needed as well as timings and locations. I have written a list of equipment she is advised to bring with her, with the things that she doesn't need to bring on the second day of filming highlighted in red.
I am very happy with both styles of call sheets and as mentioned I will be giving both types to each cast member so they can refer to the one they prefer and which one works for them. I feel that the more official call sheet is more useful for my needs however it is missing information such as the second shooting date and props that need to be brought from an individuals needs. I feel that this post was successful because it added clarity to the two filming days and it means that my cast members will be treated well and be updated with what the plan is.
I found that the first call sheet I made was confusing from my perspective let alone from a cast members perspective. This was because I think it was a template made for an individual whereas I wrote it for both cast members which I then realised was confusing. In the industry, a professional call sheet in this style would be vital because a film would be shot across hundreds of days, however because I only have 2 days planned for filming I decided that I would simplify the style to mirror how simple the filming will be in comparison to a mainstream film being released. I also decided through this style I could be clearer with the cast members as well as come across as more friendly. However, this risked making the project seem quite low-key suggesting the cast members may start to think that the filming isn't an important manner. Because of this I tried to come across as direct and include a tone of seriousness and urgency in the call sheet.
Overall I am very glad I made the call sheets as it adds to the preparation of the music video. It becomes very real that I will be filming soon and that is a very exciting prospect.
POST UPDATE: I have made changes to this post which involves the fact that Kitty Jones will only be needed for the 13th July shooting date. Jess is needed for both both the 7th July and the 13th July. Because of this I have changed Kitty's call sheet taking into account these changes:
Call sheets usually also contain information such as contact information of cast and crew members as well as which shots are being filmed on which days.
This is the Call Sheet I have made for the shooting of my music video however I do not think that it is very helpful as my version is quite confusing. For example, the call sheet is for both actors yet I would rather make separate call sheets for each actor because for example, Kitty is not needed for some scenes. As well as this, my call sheet did not include who is needed for each scene yet just asked for 'set call' and I could only write about one shoot day. I did not understand the 'Misc. Instructions' box because I took inspiration from a call sheet template to make my own as I hadn't made one before.
I decided to make a new call sheet yet a separate one for each cast member. I would have created one for each crew member however technically I will be the only crew member as director and cameraman. In my new call sheets I hope to make them much clearer for the cast members to understand; this will avoid confusion so that there is less chance of them being late or coming to the wrong location when filming.
Here is the process of creating new second instalment of my call sheets:
I think that this type of call sheet is much more informal yet clearer for the cast members to understand so I think that giving them a copy each of the more official call sheet as well as the more informal call sheet will be more beneficial as it will allow them to understand more clearly.
Below is the call sheet that I have made for Kitty. It describes how she is needed on only one day and the call sheet is generally customised to fit her individual needs, instead of including the needs of other cast members which can make it confusing. I have also added a 'note from director' section because I think this is a nice touch as it demonstrates how I am not just a director yet also a friend who is willing to help with any questions, making me come across as less intimidating.
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| This informal style of call sheet is much more customised to a particular cast members individual needs |
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| Above is a section from the call sheet to highlight how I have personalised it |
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I am very happy with both styles of call sheets and as mentioned I will be giving both types to each cast member so they can refer to the one they prefer and which one works for them. I feel that the more official call sheet is more useful for my needs however it is missing information such as the second shooting date and props that need to be brought from an individuals needs. I feel that this post was successful because it added clarity to the two filming days and it means that my cast members will be treated well and be updated with what the plan is.
I found that the first call sheet I made was confusing from my perspective let alone from a cast members perspective. This was because I think it was a template made for an individual whereas I wrote it for both cast members which I then realised was confusing. In the industry, a professional call sheet in this style would be vital because a film would be shot across hundreds of days, however because I only have 2 days planned for filming I decided that I would simplify the style to mirror how simple the filming will be in comparison to a mainstream film being released. I also decided through this style I could be clearer with the cast members as well as come across as more friendly. However, this risked making the project seem quite low-key suggesting the cast members may start to think that the filming isn't an important manner. Because of this I tried to come across as direct and include a tone of seriousness and urgency in the call sheet.
Overall I am very glad I made the call sheets as it adds to the preparation of the music video. It becomes very real that I will be filming soon and that is a very exciting prospect.
POST UPDATE: I have made changes to this post which involves the fact that Kitty Jones will only be needed for the 13th July shooting date. Jess is needed for both both the 7th July and the 13th July. Because of this I have changed Kitty's call sheet taking into account these changes:
I love how you have created two - personally I much prefer the more informal style for this kind of filming yet in the industry it is important to be more official in the way you do things? How would you important your first call sheet that you found confusing, in order to use in the industry?
ReplyDeleteThank you Kitty, I think that I would improve my more industrial style of call sheet by making it easier to understand. For example, I could have a table for each actor, or have one larger table and base the entities on which scene. For example, in Scene 1, it may ask which actors are needed and when.
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