how to read

the call sheet

  • The top center section of the call sheet generally includes the title of the project along with a project logo.

    In TV, the season and episode number will be listed here as well.

    In many cases, the GENERAL CREW CALL will be listed in the center top section of the call sheet but for this example it appears in the top right corner. More info on general crew call can be found by clicking the CREW CALL tab on the right.

    A note about Call Push/Pull: During the run of a shoot, the production team may face challenges that force the next days work to adjust after the call sheet has been distributed to the cast and crew.

    In these instances, a secondary call sheet will be distributed that denotes a call push or pull.

    PUSH = Moved to later

    PULL = Moved earlier

    In the example below, all calls (both crew and cast calls) have been pushed (moved to later) by half-an-hour.

  • DATE: Located in the top right corner, this is the date that the scenes listed on the call sheet will be performed. You will generally receive the call sheet the night before shooting is set to start.

    DAY: This denotes the day within the shooting schedule. In our example this is Day 4 of our 8-day per episode shoot.

    CREW CALL: This indicates what time everyone should be on the set and ready to work for that day. As an actor, your call time is listed next to your name in the CAST section of the call sheet but it’s helpful to know when the day’s work is set to begin.

    Calls are always listed using The 24-Hour Clock.

    SHOOTING CALL: This time indicates when the production crew is expected to be ready to shoot the first shot of the day.

    Therefore if the Crew Call is 1400 and the shooting call is 1430, the crew has 30 minutes to set up the first shot of the day.

    LUNCH: This indicates the time lunch will take place. It’s custom that lunch takes place 6 hours after crew call.

    Lunch can be 1-hour or ½-hour. If it is 1-hour, it begins the second lunch is called and ends 1-hour after that. A 1-hour lunch called on set means crew is back to work an hour after lunch is called. A ½-hour lunch called on set means that the crew is back 30 mins after the last crew member is through the line.

    If Lunch is called more than 6 hours after Crew Call, meal penalty (additional pay) is required to be paid by production to all cast and crew members that have not broken for lunch.

  • This top left section lists the projects production company info and includes the address for the production office and any relevant contact info. This is generally not the address where shooting is taking place.

    For more info on where the film set will be, see the LOCATIONS tab on the right.

    This section also indicates who the Producers are and lists the call times for the Writer and Director if applicable.

  • WEATHER: The call sheet will indicate that day’s weather forecast, along with any health advisories. On our example, it’s listed under the general crew call on the top right and you will see we were forecasted for rain.

    The weather section also includes temperature highs and lows (in °C as this was shot in Canada), along with Sunrise and Sunset times (helpful when shooting outdoors).

    This section also includes Safety Hotline info. Sometimes this is listed on the bottom of the Call Sheet.

  • The center section of the call sheet will show what scenes we’re filming that day. As you can see indicated on the left, we shot 5 different scenes on this day (scenes 19 & 20 were shot together as a continuous scene).

    SC #s: The scene numbers matching the script

    SET DESCRIPTION: This will be the slugline (a scene’s setting matching the script), along with a brief description of the scene being filmed. 

    CAST #s: This indicates the Cast Number that corresponds with the actor’s name. When casting, cast is given a cast number. Series Regulars are in the top numbers. For Example: KJ Apa was #1, Lili Reinhart was #2, and so-on. A ‘K’ next to the cast number indicates it is a minor on set. In this case, we had no minors working that day.

    D/N: Indicates whether this scene is set during the day or during the night

    PGS: This indicates the pages each scene is in script pages. Script pages are broken down in 8ths of a page.

    You can see at the bottom of this grid, how many total pages were shot for the day: 5 0/8ths

    NOTE: You’ll also see at the top of this section some producer’s notes that pertains to visitors, social media posting, etc. It’s important to read these as they change from day to day and production to production. Don’t be the actor caught posting confidential on-set plot points on your Tiktok!

  • Located in the center and to the right of the scene schedule, this section indicates the location where filming will take place. In many instances it will also provide notes on the location.

    SET: This is where teh filming is actually taking place.

    CREW PARK/BREAKFAST: This is where the crew will park their vehicles and generally where breakfast is served.

    CIRCUS/LUNCH: This is where the actors holding off set generally is.For actors, this is where your trailer will be, along with the wardrobe and makeup trucks. On this day, lunch was served at Circus but this may change from location to location.

    As an actor, you will be contact by the production (generally someone from the AD department) as to where you should go when you arrive on set. If you are self-driving (S/D) you may be directed to Crew Park and shuttled to Circus but if you are being provided transport, they will drop you off at Circus for processing.

  • Located below the schedule, this is the most relevant section of the call sheet for an actor. In this section you can find your name, character’s name, transportation info, call time, on-set time and more.

    #: Actor’s Cast Number as it relates to the script and schedule.

    CAST: Actor’s Name

    CHARACTER: Character’s name

    SWF: Indicates the actors shooting schedule as it relates to the Day Out of Days (DOOD). A tool used by production to track and manage the shooting schedules of multiple characters.

    SW = Start work

    W = Work

    WF = Work finish

    SWF = Start, work and finish all on one day

    PU: Denotes the actor’s pick up time. S/D indicates that the actor is driving themselves to set and is to report to the appropriate location.

    H/M/W: This shows what time the actors need to be in the hair and make-up trailer before their call time. This is when you should plan to arrive to work. THIS IS YOUR CALL TIME.

    SET: Indicates what time that cast member should be in their costume, done with hair and make-up, and on the set, ready to shoot

    REPORT TO & NOTES: In this case, all the cast were to report to Circus, so depending on your transport you would either be dropped of at Circus or self-park at Crew Park and be shuttled over. In the latter instance, prepare extra time to get to Circus if Crew Park is far.

  • Below Cast, this section indicates call times for Stand In and Background Talent.

    BG is often time broken into ATMOSPHERES which determines which scenes they will play in.

  • This lower section shows us what is to be shot during the next day of work. In this case, the Advance Schedule shows us the following two days.

    If you’re on set, this is a good place to check what is being shot tomorrow, if your character appears and what scenes from the script to work on if you have some down time on set.

  • Thought this section is located at the bottom, it is VERY IMPORTANT.

    Here you’ll find the contact info for the Production Manager, 1st AD, 2nd AD and more.

    Should you get lost on your way to set or need help with anything the 2nd AD should be your first point of contact.

    Always communicate with the crew if you are running late or having trouble finding Circus. Communication on set is the key to a successful production and being a team player will help you stand out on a set!

  • In this section you will find details for the nearest hospital to set along with contact info for that hospital as well as info for the on-set 1st AID crew member.

    This information will sometimes be listed at the top of the call sheet but in this example it’s located near the bottom.

Adapted for the actor from johnwellsproductions.com