Film Set Etiquette 101: How to Thrive on Your First Professional Set

Getting your first opportunity on a professional film set is exciting—but knowing how to actually behave on set, communicate with the crew, and make a great first impression is something film school doesn’t always teach you.

Film Set Etiquette 101 is a live, one-hour virtual class designed for aspiring filmmakers, film students, production assistants, and anyone preparing to step onto a professional set for the first time.

This class focuses on the unwritten rules of production: the small things that can make the difference between being someone the crew wants to hire again—and someone who never gets the next call.

What You'll Learn

During the first 45 minutes, we'll cover practical expectations for working on a professional film set, including:

• What to expect on your first day

• How to prepare before arriving on set

• Call times and why "on time" really means early

• Understanding the basic hierarchy and chain of command

• Walkie-talkie etiquette and common set terminology

• When to ask questions—and who to ask

• How to communicate professionally with different departments

• Phone, wardrobe, meals, breaks, and other basic set etiquette

• Common mistakes new crew members make

• How to make yourself useful without getting in the way

• How to build a reputation that gets you hired again

The final 15 minutes will be an open Q&A, giving students the opportunity to ask questions about situations they're nervous or curious about before stepping onto set.

About Your Instructor

Christine W. Chen is a filmmaker, director, producer, writer, and Directors Guild of America 1st Assistant Director with more than 20 years of experience working in film and production.

She has worked across independent films, commercials, branded content, shorts, and feature films, with clients including Nike, Amazon, HP, National Geographic, Formula 1/Circuit of the Americas, and UT Austin.

Christine is also the founder of Get Reelisms, a filmmaking education company created to bridge the gap between what aspiring filmmakers learn in school and what they're actually expected to know when they walk onto a professional set. She is the author of Get Reelisms, a practical guide to navigating the film industry, and has spent years teaching and mentoring emerging filmmakers, including mentoring 1st Assistant Directors through the American Film Institute (AFI).

In 2026, Christine was inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Short Films Branch.

Her philosophy is simple: you don't have to know everything on your first day—but you should know how to show up professionally, learn quickly, and become someone people want to work with again.

Class Format

Length: 1 Hour
Location: Live Virtual Class
Instruction: 45 Minutes
Open Q&A: 15 Minutes

Perfect for film students, recent graduates, aspiring filmmakers, first-time production assistants, and anyone preparing for their first professional set experience.

Come with questions. Leave knowing how to walk onto your first set with confidence.