Time for some Call Sheet Tips! Here is a quick list of things to think about when making a call sheet. Everyone has their own variations on a call sheet but these are great tips to follow no matter how much experience you have.
Call Sheet DO’s
- List contact information for key crew members such as the production coordinator and location manager.
- Put shuttle information on the call sheet, not everyone drives and shuttles are important but crew shouldn’t have to wait for a separate email telling them when and where the shuttle will be. Put this near the top of the call sheet.
- State what time lunch is and what time expected wrap is. You would be surprised how often this information is not on call sheets.
- Include maps in the form of links as well as images. Some people will print the call sheet and have it on them while others will choose to use their phone. Either way make sure that they can access any version of a map necessary. Too much time is wasted because people get lost or can’t read the map.
- Send the call sheet as a PDF. Word Documents are not appropriate because things can be accidentally changed on them and not everyone’s phone can open them.
- Include invoicing information. People want to be paid and they shouldn’t have to go searching to find out how.
Call Sheet DON’Ts
- Put any personal information for talent on the call sheet.]
- Put all crew members’ phone numbers and email addresses on the call sheet. Circulate a crew contact list at the beginning of production; it does not need to be posted on every call sheet.
- Add too many images and cutesy icons; as much as they may make the call sheet look more fun they also take away from the important information that needs to be available. The project logo is all you really need.
- Cram important information into small spaces, make sure the most important information is clear and in a font size that is readable.
- Make your call sheet in Excel, this may just be me but they are awful and they look awful.
- Don’t bog the call sheet down with unimportant or irrelevant information; send individual emails regarding things that only effect one or two people. The call sheet needs to have all of the important facts that affect everyone or almost everyone.
- Send out the call sheet in a mass email to the entire cast and crew. Send one to the crew and then send individual ones to key cast members and another to background and extras.
Those are our Call Sheet Tips! Feel free to comment below and get in contact with us if you have any questions or suggestions.
