What is a call sheet?
A call sheet is a document created by the 1st AD and shared among cast and crew daily during principal photography on a film or television show. It provides all the information that the cast and crew working on a particular day would need, such as shoot locations, shoot times, filming breaks, and arrival times for all involved in that day’s work.
Why is a call sheet important?
The call sheet is arguably the most important document on set during production. It allows the cast and crew to know where they should be at all times, as well as what scenes will be shot on that particular day.
A call sheet is a document distributed daily to both cast and crew that informs them if they are required for the next day’s shoot and how that shoot day will unfold.1
Curious to know what components make up a call sheet? This video explains.
The call sheet includes call times for various cast and crew members, the location(s) where they will be filming, the script pages and scenes they will be filming, and any other pertinent needs for that day’s shoot.
Why is it called a call sheet?
A call sheet is called such because it notifies specific cast and crew that they are being called to set for a particular day’s work. Not everyone who is part of principal photography will be needed every single day on set. The call sheet lets the appropriate cast and crew know if they are part of that day’s shooting schedule.