8 Set Pet Peeves That Drive A.D.s Crazy

Pet peeves exist in every workplace, and film sets are no exception.  If you’ve worked on set for any length of time, you probably have plenty of pet peeves of your own. I certainly do.  The nature of our jobs means that a.d.s interact with every department throughout the day, so we may have more pet peeves than most.

The things that tend to piss us off are the ones that prevent the day from running smoothly and efficiently.  That impacts every department on set and wastes time and money.  It also makes for a longer, more difficult day for everyone.

Here are my eight set pet peeves that drive a.d.s crazy.  Feel free to add your own in the comments below.

1. Leaving set without letting anyone know where you’re going.

Actors and extras, this is a big no-no, although crew members can be guilty of this, too.  The a.d.s need to know where you are so we can find you when needed.  Nothing makes you look more unprofessional than disappearing without telling anyone.

If you need to run lines outside the stage, take a bathroom break, or get something in your car, please tell someone where you’re going.  It makes everyone’s life easier.

2. Talking during rehearsals and filming.

This one’s a biggie, and it antagonizes a lot of people, including the director who’s trying to work with the actors.  The crew has the set when it’s being set up and lit.  That’s the time for departments to talk about what needs to happen.

Rehearsal and filming are for the actors and director to do their work and for everyone else to hold the chatter.  Or else.

3. Being late for your early morning call time.

Yes, very early call times are a bummer.  But you know what’s worse?  Being late for them.  I’ve woken up my fair share of oversleepers and their spouses with early a.m. phone calls.  It’s not an enjoyable phone call to make or receive.

Actors, if you’re more than five minutes late for an early call time, expect a phone call.  There’s just too much lag time to wait any longer to call you.

Yes, it’s annoying to get our phone call when you’re pulling into the parking lot, but time is money, so please allow for traffic.

4. Eating lunch in your wardrobe.

If you want to make an enemy of the wardrobe department, actors, then don’t change out of your wardrobe for lunch. And this goes for extras in specialty wardrobe, too.

The costumers don’t have doubles for every piece of clothing.  So spilling food or drink on your wardrobe can be catastrophic.  So please change clothes before lunch.

If we can’t shoot the scene because we have to wait for the wardrobe department to clean your clothes, no one will be well pleased – least of all, the director and the a.d.s.

Of course, you’re a professional, so that would never happen.  This one’s just a reminder for the newbies.

5. Socializing on set when you should be paying attention.

Background actors, this one’s for you.  Once you’re on set, the time for social chatting is over.  It’s essential that you remain quiet and pay attention.  The a.d.s need to place you and give instructions, and we can’t do it if you’re talking.

If we have to single you out because you’re talking when you shouldn’t be, you won’t be asked back.  A little cooperation goes a long way.

6. Asking when we’ll wrap the first thing in the morning.

Do you think anyone has any idea of when we’ll wrap at 8 am?  Nope, we don’t.

Experienced cast and crew members know better than to ask.  You needn’t bother asking either because you won’t get an accurate answer, and you’ll annoy the hell out of the person you’re asking.  Usually, that’s an a.d.

We don’t work in a 9-5 world on set.  We work in an unpredictable environment where ‘short’ days are 10 or 11 hours long and ‘easy’ days can become difficult fast.

When you hear “We’re on the martini,” you’ll know we’re close to wrapping.  ‘Til then, it's anybody's guess.

7. Not taking the time to read the call sheet.

I’ve done thousands of call sheets in my career.  I’ve probably revised hundreds.  So I know my way around a call sheet and can tell you that it’s worth taking a few minutes to read.

Yet sometimes, people glance at their own call time and nothing more.  That’s a mistake.  The call sheet is a wealth of information on scenes, locations, people, animals, props, equipment, and times.  You may need rain gear, warm clothes for night shooting, or a sun hat.

The call sheet and shooting schedule exist to share necessary information.  So take time to read what we a.d.s have spent valuable time creating.  We did it all so you can know what’s going on and come to work prepared.

8. Announcing you have to leave early.

This is another one for you, background actors.  To put it bluntly, if you can’t commit for the entire day, don’t take the job.  Period.

Once you’ve been in a shot, we’ll need to match you again in the coverage.  No one wants the extras there any longer than necessary, but we have to be sure we won’t need you again before you’re released.

So on workdays, make other arrangements for school pickups for your kids and any other obligations.  Or you’ll get a dressing down by a putout a.d.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Conclusion      

So those are a few of my personal set pet peeves because they make the workday harder than it has to be.  I find it an especially enjoyable day at work when none of these things happens.

It’s almost as good as hearing, “That’s a wrap!”