Film Set Etiquette 101: The Unwritten Rules Every Aspiring Filmmaker Should Know
When I first started working on set, they were mostly my own productions. My team and I essentially grew up on set together, operating in our own little bubble. We didn’t use “proper” set lingo—we just talked to each other like normal people. We knew how to get the work done, but we had no idea there was an entire language, etiquette, and protocol that came with working on a professional film set.
That changed when we started working on productions outside of my company, Moth to Flame.
Unfortunately, those first experiences weren’t always positive. We quickly discovered that not knowing the lingo immediately marked us as “newbies.” Even though we knew how to do the actual work, people sometimes underestimated us or looked down on us simply because we didn’t know how to talk the talk.
That experience became the inspiration for Get Reelisms. My now co-founders, Kellie and Jason, and I wanted to create the resource we wished we’d had when we were starting out: something you could read on your own time that would teach you the unwritten language and etiquette of a film set before you ever stepped onto one.
The idea was simple: even if tomorrow is your very first day on set, no one has to know it. Learn the language, understand the protocol, and walk onto set with the confidence of someone who’s been doing it for years.
Your first professional film set can feel like landing in another country.
Everyone seems to know where they're going.
People are speaking in strange phrases.
Someone says "points," another person yells "rolling," somebody announces they're "10-1," and somehow everyone understands exactly what is happening.
Except you.
Don't panic.
Every experienced filmmaker was new once.
The important thing is learning the basic rules of film set etiquette so you can work safely, professionally, and respectfully.
Here are some of the biggest ones.
Table of Content
Be Early
Call time is the time you're expected to be ready to work—not the time you're supposed to begin searching for parking.
Plan accordingly.
Introduce Yourself
You don't need to shake hands with 75 people during a hectic call, but introduce yourself to your department and the people you'll be working with directly.
Filmmaking is collaborative.
Act like you're joining a team.
Know Who You Report To
One of the most common beginner mistakes is asking the wrong person a question.
Professional film crews have departments and chains of command.
Learn yours.
Knowing where information should flow helps the entire production operate efficiently.
Must Have Products For Parents and Beginners
Don't Disappear
If you're working, someone should know where you are.
If you need to use the bathroom, tell the appropriate person.
You may hear crew members say they're "10-1," a commonly used radio code indicating a bathroom break.
Whatever terminology your production uses, communicate.
Further Readings
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The Ultimate Gift Guide for Film Students (What They Actually Need)
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Film School Alternative: Learn Filmmaking Without Debt
“I think the most important thing is to be true to yourself and take care of yourself, because that’s the only way you can truly take care of other people.”
Pay Attention to Your Walkie
Have you heard that most films die in post? There is a reason for this. Post-production is often considered one of the least sexiest processes of filmmaking. You are in a dark room by yourself staring at a computer. The social aspects are no fun. But, I believe if you are able to master this process, you'll always be able to control your budgets and finish your projects.
Don't Talk During Takes
When you hear that picture is up and cameras are preparing to roll, stop unnecessary conversations.
Sound travels.
Your conversation about lunch doesn't need to become part of the movie.
Don't Talk During Takes
When you hear that picture is up and cameras are preparing to roll, stop unnecessary conversations.
Sound travels.
Your conversation about lunch doesn't need to become part of the movie.
Don't Walk Through the Shot
Pay attention to where the camera is pointed.
Also pay attention to rehearsals.
If you're unsure whether you're in the shot, ask someone in the appropriate department rather than guessing.
Respect Other Departments' Equipment
Don't move equipment simply because it's in your way.
That light, stand, prop, wardrobe piece, cable, or camera accessory belongs to a department that may have placed it there intentionally.
Ask before touching things that aren't yours.
Learn What "Points" Means
If you hear someone call "points," pay attention.
Crew members often say this when carrying something long, sharp, awkward, or potentially dangerous through a crowded area.
Move out of the way.
Set terminology isn't just jargon. Some of it exists for safety.
Don't Sit on Equipment Cases
That expensive-looking case isn't necessarily a chair.
Unless you've been told otherwise, don't treat production equipment as furniture.
Help Without Getting in the Way
Being proactive is valuable.
Being randomly proactive can create problems.
If you don't have anything to do, ask your supervisor where you can help instead of inserting yourself into another department's work.
Keep Your Complaints Off Set
Long hours happen.
Bad weather happens.
Plans change.
Everyone else is experiencing those things too.
You don't have to pretend everything is wonderful, but maintaining professionalism when conditions become difficult is part of the job.
Treat Everyone With Respect
This is perhaps the easiest rule.
Treat the PA with the same respect you'd give the director.
Film careers are long, job titles change, and nobody forgets the person who treated them badly when they were starting out.
Summer Film Bundles for Beginners
“At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”
“Looking to build a sustainable creative career in film and TV? Explore our filmmaking resources at Get Reelisms.”
“Check out the Get Reelisms Podcast for honest conversations about filmmaking, burnout, creativity, and balancing life in the industry.”
“Whether you’re a parent, mentor, or aspiring filmmaker, remember: storytelling and caregiving both shape the future.”
Common Mistakes Beginner Filmmakers Make
Below are some free resources to check out:
Waiting for expensive gear
Trying to make a feature first
Overcomplicating projects
Fear of failure
Comparing yourself to professionals
“Just do it. Get a camera, shoot something, no matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you’re a director.”
The Biggest Rule: Pay Attention
Great crew members develop situational awareness.
They notice when the production is about to roll.
They understand when the room needs to become quiet.
They anticipate what their department might need next.
That awareness develops through experience—but you can accelerate the process by learning how professional sets work before you arrive.
That's one of the ideas behind Get Reelisms: A Practical Guide to Working in Film and Television.
We created Get Reelisms to demystify the language, etiquette, hierarchy, terminology, and everyday realities of professional film production.
Because getting your first opportunity is hard enough.
When that opportunity comes, you shouldn't have to spend the entire day wondering what everyone is talking about.
Prepare for your first—or next—film set with Get Reelisms and learn the practical rules of filmmaking before you have to learn them the hard way.
If you want to buy books for beginners, you can check out more on our store or some virtual DIY filmmaking self-starter classes to guide you towrads make your next short film.
Christine Chen
Christine W Chen is a narrative director and writer whose filmmaking journey began in 1993 with an early-edition VHS camcorder. She holds a B.A. from Rice University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business.
Her films have screened at festivals including HollyShorts, the New Orleans Film Festival, and Fantasia. Her most recent feature, Erzulie, premiered theatrically in May 2022 and is now available on VOD.
Christine is also a DGA 1st Assistant Director and a recent Shorts Branch member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She co-authored Get Reelisms, a practical guide to filmmaking, and co-hosts the Get Reelisms Podcast, a platform dedicated to building community in the film and television industry through education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you become a filmmaker without film school?
Yes. Many successful filmmakers are self-taught and learned through online education, independent projects, and hands-on experience.
What is the best way to learn filmmaking online?
The best way is through a combination of online courses, practical projects, filmmaking communities, and consistent content creation.
Do filmmakers need expensive equipment?
No. Many filmmakers begin with smartphones, affordable cameras, and free editing software.
How do beginner filmmakers get experience?
By creating short films, volunteering on sets, collaborating with friends, and consistently practicing storytelling.
Is film school worth it?
Film school can be valuable for networking and structured learning, but it is not required to build a successful filmmaking career.
