A call sheet is the essential daily shooting plan for any film, television, or commercial production. It's a detailed document distributed to the cast and crew, outlining everything they need to know for the upcoming production day. It's designed to provide the "subtleties individuals need to get every day of creation going," ensuring everyone is in the right place at the right time, prepared for the day's work.
Essentially, a call sheet looks like a multi-sectioned form or document containing a structured breakdown of the day's activities and crucial information.
What Information is Included?
A significant part of the call sheet diagrams the scenes that will be recorded that day. This section provides a clear plan for the day's filming schedule.
According to production standards, this scene breakdown typically includes:
- Scene Number: The numerical identifier for the scene.
- Scene Heading and Depiction: The script heading (e.g., INT. OFFICE - DAY) and a brief description of the action or content.
- What Cast Individuals Are in Every Scene: Lists the specific actors required for each particular scene.
- The Area: Specifies the filming location for that scene.
Here's how the scene breakdown section might look, often presented in a table for clarity:
| Scene # | Scene Heading / Description | Cast Members Required | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT (Argument) | Sarah (Actor A), Tom (Actor B) | Main Apartment Set, Studio 1 |
| 28A | EXT. STREET - DAY (Running Chase) | Tom (Actor B), Police Extra | Elm Street & Oak Avenue |
| 9 | INT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING (Casual Talk) | Sarah (Actor A), Waiter (Actor C) | "The Daily Grind" Cafe |
Beyond the Scenes: Other Key Details
While the scene diagram is central, a call sheet contains numerous other critical pieces of information that make up the complete "day-to-day shooting plan." These are part of the necessary "subtleties" for the cast and crew.
Other standard sections you would find include:
- General Production Information:
- Project Title
- Production Company
- Date and Day Number of Shooting (e.g., Day 5 of 25)
- Weather Forecast for the day
- Sunrise/Sunset Times
- Call Times:
- General Crew Call Time (when most crew should arrive)
- Specific Department Call Times (e.g., Camera, Grip, Electric, Art Department might have earlier calls)
- Individual Cast Member Call Times (when each actor needs to arrive)
- Make-up, Hair, and Wardrobe times for actors
- Location Information:
- Full Address of the Shooting Location(s)
- Directions and Parking Instructions
- Details about Base Camp (where trailers, catering, and production offices are located)
- Nearest Hospital Information (address and phone number)
- Other Information:
- Catering times and location
- Transportation details (if provided)
- Notes or special instructions for the day
Visually, a call sheet is often a one or two-page document, divided into distinct boxes or sections for each category of information, making it easy for everyone to quickly find the details relevant to them.
