A Guide to Set Etiquette and Safety

Getting on your first set can be scary, especially if you aren’t sure exactly how a typical set runs or what the proper etiquette is. While not every set is the same and will have different types of work culture, there are many practices that almost everyone in production will follow to ensure the best and most successful working environment. Whether you are on a student film set or a professional set, there are many ways to make sure that you are not only getting the most out of your set experience but also contributing positively to the project. You could be a PA on your first job, or a key department head who has been working in the industry for years; however, all must learn and practice proper set etiquette.

What to Know Before Getting on Set

It is always crucial to be prepared for any new situation that you are walking into, like getting on a new project. Here are a few things that you should know or do before getting on set:

1. Understand Set Roles and Hierarchies - The most important thing to know before getting on a set is knowing what your role will be and what roles other people will be performing. You want to make sure you have at least a basic understanding of what different roles on set perform. This will help you have a better understanding of what to expect and what is going on when you are on set. And more than that, it will help you determine who you need to interact with on set and how you can help them. 

2. Be on Time - This goes without saying but a lot of what makes a good set environment is the culture and effort that crew members put into it. Start off on the right foot and be on time for work. 

3. Know How to Read A Room - When you walk onto a film set, there is typically an established tone or working environment. And if not, your actions are going to dictate the working environment. Knowing how to walk onto a set and match the energy is important for you to mesh well with the rest of your crew and allow all of you to do your best work. Remember that, in a working environment, you want to maintain professionalism, so don’t be too loud or distract people from doing their job. Understanding your place and role on the set will help ensure you are reading the room and knowing when you should be on the clock, or when you have some time to chat with a coworker. 

4. Remain Professional - Like with reading the room, remember that you are working when you are on set. It is normal to be super excited and want to befriend everyone new you meet on set. People often see lots of behind the scene videos of cast and crew pulling pranks or being silly with their crew or cast members, but remember there is a time and a place for it, and for the most part you are on the clock, so act with proper professionalism and get your work done. 

5. Respect and Listen to your Director or Department Heads - Regardless of your position, you will ultimately be working under your director and department heads who are trying to create their vision. Your role, if you aren’t in these key positions, is to make this happen. So when your director has an idea or asks you to do something to help them get their shot, you should be doing that. With that, if what they ask is not achievable or safe, voice your concerns and communicate to find the best solution. 

6. Remember Every Set is a Learning Experience - No set experience is ever the same, which means there is always something new to learn. If you maintain this learning mindset, you will be able to continue to grow your knowledge and skill sets even after working in production for many years. Learn from your mistakes, successes, and other crew and cast members. 

Set Safety

Set safety is the most important thing to remember when you are on a set. There have been many instances where mistakes were made or issues ignored which resulted in great loss. If you are a producer, 1st AD, or any sort of leader on set, it is your responsibility to make sure your crew takes set safety seriously. This producer’s guide to set safety explains the best practices for a leader on set to ensure set safety. That said, regardless of your role, it is important to follow proper procedures and take it upon yourself to make sure that you and the rest of your crew are safe on set. 

Don’t run or rush. When you are rushing or hurrying on set, you will make more mistakes and potentially cause more safety risks when you are not watching where you are going or doing. Especially if you are holding something big or breakable, as people often are on set, the risks of hurting someone while breaking something or accidentally running into someone are exponentially greater. Don’t put yourself or others in danger. 

Listen to the 1st AD. On every set, the 1st AD is the chief officer of safety. Their job is to ensure that everyone is practicing safe practices and is aware of any potential risks there might be when working on set. This means that it is important that you listen and follow their instruction because they are watching out for you. With that, if you see something that you think could be a potential hazard or unsafe practice that the leaders on your set do not see, don’t be afraid to speak up about it and tell your 1st AD so that they can help resolve the issue. 

Respect the equipment. Film sets often have a lot of moving parts and large equipment. Make sure you don’t touch things that aren’t yours or your department's. With that, if something isn’t needed right away, don’t play with the equipment or prop because that can easily lead to breakage. Accidents happen all the time and you don’t want that accident to lead to expensive equipment being broken or injured. Always ask the department head or the person in charge of whatever it is that you need to grab before you grab it. 

Create or fully understand the risk assessment of the shoot. Most sets will have a safety plan that outlines every hazard. If you are a leader on set, like the 1st AD or producer, you should make this safety plan before anyone even sets foot on set so that you can be fully prepared for anything that might occur. If you are not making the safety plan, you should read and follow the safety plan in place and also pay close attention when your 1st AD runs the daily safety meeting. 

Know where to find safety hotlines that may be needed in an emergency. During the safety meeting, the 1st AD will point out where you can find any information you might need in an emergency and where the nearest hospital is. Make sure you know where these are so that if anything happens on set, you know where to find the numbers to call in an emergency. 

How to Contribute Positively to a Set Environment

There are many ways that someone can go about creating a positive set environment. When you are walking onto a set, you want to add to it, so here are a few things to do for you to connect with crew members and create a good set environment. 

1. Learn everyone’s name - Get to know people when you have downtime! Knowing everyone’s name makes them feel more seen. Film sets are a great place to get to know people and learn how others work. You want to be careful crossing the line between getting to know someone while on the job and actively trying to network and climb the ranks. You don’t want to be seen as not genuine with your interactions. Remember to read the room and make an effort, while also not being a distraction. 

2. Show up to Set Ready for a Full Day of Work - Remember that being on set usually involves long days of work, and it can get exhausting quickly. Show up to the set fully rested, clean, and orderly. Don’t show up to work unkempt or disoriented as it will be disrespectful to your cast and crew. 

3. Respect everyone - Whether you are the production assistant or director, you should respect everyone on set because they all have something to offer to the production. 

4. Stay Humble - You could be someone who has worked in the industry for over a decade but by staying humble you will be able to build better connections with your team. Ultimately, no one knows everything, so don’t be the person who people think is snobby. 

5. Stay out of people’s way - Don’t be a distraction or slow people down. They are working just like you are, so make sure you let them do their job as efficiently as they can. With that, remember set priorities. What you need from the director or any other crew member may not be more important than something else they are dealing with. Or it could be more important. Understand what are priorities on set and allow that to guide how you communicate or push to communicate with people on set. Learn to wait your time and be patient if your issue is not high on the priority list. 

6. Understand how to work with actors - Working with actors on set will be different than working with the crew. Respect their process and methods– they might need space to get in the right head space, or they might want to chat with people on set during their breaks. Don’t pester them for things that are not in their job description, like pictures. Be nice and get to know them if you have the opportunity but give them their space; they are human too, and don’t want to be treated like an animal on display.  

7. Don’t complain - No one likes it when someone complains about something and it brings down the mood on set. Be a positive energy and bring optimism to set. 

8. Go above and beyond - Don’t just do the bare minimum. Make sure you are putting effort into whatever your tasks are and finish them completely and thoroughly. 

Getting on set can be one of the most scary and rewarding experiences. Remember that every set will be slightly different in culture and energy; however, the more you try to follow good set etiquette the better time you will have and the better environment you will help foster on set. And remember, working in production is supposed to be fun, so have fun on set!

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