What does status on a call sheet mean?
On a call sheet, Status primarily indicates an actor's work schedule for that specific day of production. It quickly tells the cast and crew whether an actor is working, finishing their role, starting, or not required on set.
The status abbreviations listed for an actor on a call sheet provide crucial information about their commitment for the day. This helps coordinate schedules, manage logistics, and ensure everyone knows who needs to be present and for how long.
Based on common production terminology, and specifically the provided reference, these are the meanings of different actor statuses:
Status Abbreviation | Meaning | Description |
---|---|---|
W | Work | The actor is working on this day. |
SWF | Start/Work/Finish | The actor is starting work today, completing all their scenes, and finishing on the production this day. |
SW | Start/Work | This is the actor's first day working on the production, but they will return for future work days. |
W/F | Work/Finish | The actor is working on this day, and it is their last scheduled day on the production. |
H | Hold | The actor is not working on this day but is being held available for future work days. |
This clear indication helps the Assistant Director (AD) department manage the cast, informs the accounting department about payroll, and allows other departments (like hair, makeup, and wardrobe) to prepare for the specific actors needed each day.