What a call sheet is
A call sheet is the daily schedule document for a film or TV production. It tells every cast and crew member when to arrive, where to go, and what is being shot that day. One is produced for every shoot day, usually distributed the night before.
The call sheet is the most important piece of paper on a film set. Every department plans their day around it.
What a call sheet contains
Call sheets have two sides: the front and the back.
| Section | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Header | Production title, date, day number, general crew call, nearest hospital |
| Shooting Schedule | The scenes being shot that day with scene numbers, set names, cast numbers, and page counts |
| Cast List | Each cast member, their character, and their individual call time |
| General Notes | Advance scheduling, special instructions, and what is shooting the following day |
| Crew List (Back) | Every crew member organized by department with their individual call times |
| Location Information | Set addresses, base camp, parking, hospital route |
| Weather | Forecast for the shooting location throughout the day |
Who makes the call sheet
The 2nd AD builds the call sheet. The 1st AD reviews and approves it before it goes out. On productions without a 2nd AD, the 1st AD handles it directly.
The UPM and producer also review it. Any changes after distribution go through a revised call sheet, which gets sent with a note indicating it is a revision.
When the call sheet goes out
Call sheets go out the night before the shoot day, typically after wrap. The exact timing depends on production policy and how late the day runs.
Preliminary call sheets sometimes go out the day before that with approximate times. The final call sheet reflects locked call times and confirmed scenes.
G-Casper Pro supports both preliminary and final distribution via SMS. Crew receive their call time personalized in the text message.
Why call sheets matter
A well-built call sheet keeps a production running. When crew know their call time, location, and what is shooting, they can plan their day. When the call sheet is unclear or late, departments arrive unprepared and time is lost.
The call sheet also serves as a legal and logistical record. Some productions reference call sheets when resolving disputes about what time crew was on the clock.