It’s not often that we get a glimpse into the making of movies or shows, so our knowledge of what happens on set during filming days is limited. For that very reason, we’ve decided to look at a typical filming day for actors, demystifying part of the filmmaking process.
Filming can vary greatly depending on the project. When actors arrive on location, they might find huge production crews or a small, focused team. The filming location can also vary from studio sets to carefully sought-out locations outdoors, in public settings, or in rented private residences. To get a glimpse into the average day on set, here are some commonalities that all types of production projects share.
Early Call Time
Actors usually have an early call time, which is when they must arrive on set to prepare for the day. Call times are typically set several hours before filming begins, allowing actors and the crew to set up lighting and camera rigs, get hair and makeup done, and complete other necessary preparations. However, actors don’t always receive much advance notice—their call time might be shared with them only a day in advance.
Once actors arrive on set, they’re greeted by someone who will help them figure out where they need to be for the day. They will be guided to areas like green rooms or dressing rooms where they can review their lines or relax between takes.
While some have been known to jump on their phones to do things just like the rest of us mere mortals do—whether comparing a selection of popular casino bonuses or catching up on messages and social media posts—others are banned from doing so by directors like Quentin Tarantino, who bans all cell phone use on set.
Upon arrival, actors are often provided with breakfast, especially for early morning starts. They are also directed to hair, makeup, and wardrobe to prepare for rehearsals and filming.
Blocking
Once actors have been given the rundown of the filming location and are dressed and styled, they begin rehearsing the scenes to be filmed on the set. This part of the process is called blocking. The director and crew watch rehearsals to correctly position cameras, lighting, and boom mics to ensure they’re appropriately placed to capture the scene once filming begins.
Rehearsals will be done several times while each piece of equipment is adjusted to ensure as few mistakes as possible once the cameras start rolling. The director will provide feedback to the entire crew, including actors, during this time to ensure everything is working well as a whole.
Roll Call
Once the director is satisfied with the setup completed during blocking, they will make a roll call. This means everything should be quiet on set, signalling that filming is about to begin. Phones and other devices must be silenced, and everyone, from sound engineers to actors, must be at their positions, ready for ‘action’ to be called.
Action
Once the director calls ‘action’, the rehearsed scenes are played out with the cameras rolling, following the directions and setup everyone was given leading up to that moment. During the filming, a script supervisor will carefully monitor the set and script to ensure continuity between takes. They will also monitor deviations from the script to make sure the story will flow and remain cohesive from take to take and scene to scene. Makeup artists and stylists will also closely watch actors, ensuring consistency in their appearances from take to take. This may include touch-ups or wardrobe adjustments between takes.
Cut
When the director calls ‘cut’, it means the take has been completed. At this point, the director will also review the footage and make any necessary adjustments to the scene. These adjustments might involve actors changing their delivery or where they are positioned on the set, or they could include changes to cameras, lighting, or sound.
Just because ‘cut’ has been said doesn’t mean the work is over. Everyone on set should still pay attention to the positions they were given during blocking and be ready to respond to the director’s requests for adjustments. Usually, a scene will be shot several more times until the director is content with what has been captured, meaning everyone on location needs to be ready for calls like ‘rolling’ or ‘action’.
Meal Breaks
Filming days are usually very long, often lasting 10 to 12 hours in a single day. Because of this, meal breaks are offered throughout the day. Food is frequently provided to the entire crew, or a meal stipend is given. During these breaks, actors might return to their dressing room or green room to unwind or prepare for upcoming scenes.
Other Things to Know About an Average Day on Set
One of the key reasons for 10 to 12-hour long filming days is the high costs of filming. A wide range of skills and expertise are needed on a film set to complete a scene. Of course, there are the actors, who, depending on their status, can be costly in film production. Then, there are also the people behind the scenes who are essential in bringing scripts to life, each of whom must be paid to do their work.
Most film sets have a director and assistant director, a sound crew, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, a film crew, a grip and gaffer crew, and production assistants. Depending on the film, there may also be choreographers, stunt people, extras, animal handlers, visual effects supervisors—and possibly many more professionals.
Aside from the sheer number of people who need to be paid, the cost of having access to a filming location can also be incredibly high. A single day can cost thousands, even for a small crew. The long days aim to maximise every dollar spent.
We might like to think of acting as a glamorous, easy-going job, but an average day on set demands a great deal from actors. While parts of acting are surely fun and glamorous, a lot of unseen work and energy goes into the profession.
Main Image Photo by Lê Minh on Pexels
