The essential rules for set technicians working on film projects.

1. Film Etiquette andFilm Etiquette and
Set Safety ProtocolSet Safety Protocol
Prepared 11/16/08 Modified 10/25/17
by John M. Grace,
I.A.T.S.E. member and film instructor
Savannah Technical College
and the Georgia Film Academy
Attribution License Granted
Photos courtesy of The Duke City Shootout

2. Film Etiquette andFilm Etiquette and
Set Safety ProtocolSet Safety Protocol
Etiquette: “the conduct or
procedure required by good
breeding or prescribed by
authority to be observed in
social or official life”
Courtesy of Webster’s Online

3. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
Etiquette is a matter of
common sense if you apply
the “Golden Rule”
Most of what we know about
etiquette we learned at home
Many of the rules of business
etiquette you never learn until
you make a mistake
Film etiquette is even stricter

4. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
As a film tech, it is your duty to
learn and practice some simple
rules of etiquette and protocol
More people are fired on films
for breaches of etiquette and
protocol than any other reason
What follows are some of the
most important skills you can
learn in order to work in film

5. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
1. Arrive On Time -
In the industry, 15-30
minutes early is
considered to be on
time (gotta love NDB)
2. Do Your Job -
and don’t tell anyone
else how to do theirs
unless they ask for help
or are in physical
danger

6. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
3. Be Polite - Always
say please, thank you
and you’re welcome (not
yeah or u-huh) and refer
to superiors as sir or
ma’am
4. Be Humble -
When someone
compliments you on a
job well done, thank
them

7. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
5. Respect the
Actor’s Space - Stay
out of their eye-line when
possible and work quietly
around them
(Christian Bale rant - mature)
6. No Autographs -
When working with a
famous actor, never ask
for a picture or autograph

8. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
7. Listen and
Clarify - if you have
any doubt about what is
being requested of you
8. Be Alert - Watch
for opportunities to
assist your fellow crew,
but don’t cross
department lines
without permission

9. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
9. Make Your Superior
Look Good by
working efficiently and
you will become more
valuable
10. Follow the Chain
of Command
Suggestions &
complaints should be
made through your
direct supervisor

10. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
11. Learn Everyone’s
Names & Positions
as a matter of respect
and to show you care
12. No Complaining -
Moods are contagious
and people prefer to
work with people with
good attitudes

11. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
13. When You Arrive,
Check In with your
superior - things often
come up that need
immediate attention
14. No cursing or
telling offensive
jokes - It is a matter of
respect for co-workers
and young actors

12. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
15. Turn Off Phones
or leave them in your
car until lunch or wrap
(it looks like you have
nothing better to do)
16. Never Touch
Props - It is often a
“hot set” and moving
something might ruin
continuity

13. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
17. No Loud Talking at
any time on set - The
production team needs
to be able to
concentrate
18. Hold All Sensitive
Conversations out of
hearing range of others
as a courtesy to those
involved

14. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
19. Have the Correct
Tools for the Job
it is your responsibility
to own the right tools
and to know their use
20. Learn the
Correct
Terminology for all
equipment and use it
whenever possible

15. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
21. Friends & Family
Are Not Welcome on
Set unless you clear it
in advance with the AD,
UPM or Producer
22. Photos and Video
are Usually
Prohibited unless you
clear it in advance with
Production

16. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
23. Admit it When You
Make a Mistake - It is
much easier to fix a
mistake if it’s revealed
immediately
24. Don’t Take “Set
Heat” Personally -
Harsh words are
common in the heat of
production

17. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
25. Never Party Too
Hard Before a Call -
Don’t let the night before
affect your work
performance
26. Never Leave Set
unless there’s a real
emergency and only
after checking with your
superior or Production

18. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
27. Never Let Your
Personality
Conflicts Get Out of
Hand There will be
people who you will
find difficult to get
along with, but you will
only be working
together for a short
period of time

19. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
28. “Flashing” - If you
take pictures for your job,
say “flashing” so the
gaffer doesn’t think a
bulb blew
29. “Crossing”- If you
need to pass in front of
the camera,
acknowledge it to the
camera operator by
saying “crossing”

20. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
30. People Notice Your
Best Efforts - the
reward is future work,
higher pay and dept.
advancement
31. Everyone Started
Somewhere - If you
ask for advice or help,
most set techs love to
mentor “newbies”

21. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
32. Be Patient –
Everyone has the right to
finish their work without
sarcasm or pressure
from other departments
33. Be Efficient - The
worst thing you can do is
to hold up the set - here,
TIME IS MONEY

22. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
34. Respect Civilians
Maintaining good
public relations is the
job of all set technicians
35. Respect Locations
We depend on a
variety of locations and
can’t afford to lose any
due to misuse or
neglect

23. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
36. Respect the Gear
Production equipment
is valuable and needs to
be handled properly
37. Respect
Coworkers
Racism/Sexism is not
Tolerated - Everyone
has the right to a
supportive, non-hostile
workplace

24. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
Protocol: “a code prescribing
strict adherence to correct
procedure (as in diplomatic
exchange and in the military
services).”
Courtesy of Webster’s Online

25. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
Protocol is not simply a matter
of doing things according to a
proscribed procedure, following
protocol can save your life.
A motion picture set can be a
very dangerous place.
Before you walk onto set, you
should learn a few simple rules
and attend OSHA Training.

26. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
38. Don’t be a Hero
do your job safely
and deliberately
(there’s no running on
set for safety reasons)
39. Act
Professionally
Never horse around
on set - it is a serious
workplace and can be
dangerous

27. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
40. Report Dangerous
Conditions to
Production (including
drug or alcohol use by
co-workers)
41. Avoid Loose
Clothing or Jewelry -
It can get tangled in the
equipment and cause an
accident or serious injury

28. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
42. Always Drink
Plenty of Water - It
seems obvious, but
everyone has
experienced dehydration
43. Take Vitamins &
Use Hand Sanitizer -
People work even when
they are sick so it’s easy
to catch colds on set

29. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
44. No Music Devices
They remove you from
the environment and
impair your ability to
hear instructions
45. Use Sunblock and
Head Coverings –
Severe sunburn can
even result in death

30. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
46. The Armorer is in
Charge of all prop
Guns and Weapons -
never handle them
unless supervised
47. Listen Carefully to
Safety Briefings -
The First AD or Stunt
Coord. will give a safety
briefing before all stunts

31. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
48. No Open-toed
Shoes It is not
uncommon to have
something drop on your
foot
49. Work carefully
around power tools
– And only work when
others are present in
case of an accident

32. Set Etiquette andSet Etiquette and
ProtocolProtocol
50. During Stunts
and Dangerous
Setups - If you
ever feel that your
safety is being
compromised by the
actions of a co-worker
or the production
company, you have the
right to speak out with-
out fear of retribution