"Action" can either be said by you or by the 1st A.D. Same for "Cut." Of course, the AD should look to you for the signal. I'm generally a quiet guy, so on my film I liked the AD to give those orders.

Another one you might need, depending on what kind of thing you're shooting is "Background." If you have extras in the scene you'll want them to start performing before calling for Action, so they're up to speed. Similarly, if you're on location and are in public, "Lock It Up" comes before rolling, and tells the PA's (or whomever) to keep the civilians out. For example, if you're shooting on a street or sidewalk and are allowing people to go about their business when you're not rolling.

Also, remember to check with your camera, sound and lighting team *before* you call to start rolling. The "Camera!" "Sound!" etc. are as much for everyone else on the set as they are for those specific people. It's sort of an "on your marks, get set, go" kind of thing.

And don't forget "Print it" or some form of that. Even though you're shooting on tape, so theoretically everything is "printed," it still helps to have it noted somewhere which takes you like. When you're editing, you start with those.

If someone flubs a line, there's usually no need to cut, unless everyone can't stop laughing or unless it's very close to the beginning of the take. I find it's best to feed them the line and continue, because you can retake that line or get it in coverage, or in editing you might not even be on that actor for that line. Rather than take the extra time to restart ("Back to one!"), just continue. You can do a pick-up of that section afterwards if you want. Chances are that part of the take before and after the flub will be usable, so why kill it? Of course, if the thing you're shooting is going to play as one long take you may as well stop and restart, because you won't be able to cut away.

And lastly (for the moment anyway), make sure you get at least a couple of seconds of head and tail on each take. Tape is cheap, so let a second or to run (with background action going) before you call for action, and let it run a second or two after the action ends, before calling cut. You'll be amazed at how many times that can save you, even if it's just to have a few seconds of clean sound to use elsewhere in the scene.

OK, one more thing: After each take ask the DP and/or operator and sound guy if it was OK for them. Even if you're watching on a monitor you may have missed something. You *may* want to check with the actors, but that's up to you. As a courtesy it's nice, but chances are they will ALWAYS want another take and it'll put you behind. If you're happy with their performance, it's probably best not to ask them.

Some very good tips fwtep.

Even better than my "Ready - Steady - Go!".

Even better than my "Ready - Steady - Go!".

Hilarious!
Thanks Peter. That got my day off to a good start.

fwtep pretty much covered the "official" ground of on-set protocol.

If you're shooting yourself, there's no need to say anything but ACTION and CUT. Giving yourself the extra lead and out footage is extraordinarily important.

But if you want to REALLY look "professional", simply keep your mouth SHUT!. If you don't TELL them you're on your first job, they'll never know. If you don't talk too much, they'll never guess.

If you admit to ANYONE on set, "This is my first shoot", consider yourself warned and still in the ranks of beginner. If you want to play in the big time, learn to act the part - early.

Also - try to avoid any sign of worry. Remember people want their doctors and their directors to be like Perfect. Don't let on that you're not (i.e. don't say "whoops", "crap" or "poopie doo".

Good luck - you're going to do just fine. Take the time to review your footage at the end of each setup and do it again if it's not right. People will happy to cooperate.

v

On the other hand, I think it's important to not act the part of a "big shot" so much that you alienate your crew. If you're lucky enough to have a professional sound man, gaffer, lighting designer, camera op, etc., don't be afraid to ask their advice if you are feeling lost. Just be direct and say something like "____ , could you take a look at this for me?"

Another helpful phrase is: "Quiet on the set, please," just before "Camera" and "Action."

This link has some really helpful advice for first-time directors and producers about working with a professional crew. I've tried to take this advice to heart on every shoot I do.

http://www.equipmentemporium.com/crew.htm

P.S. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Make sure to get 30 seconds to 1 minute of "room tone" (record audio on the set with the lights on and equipment running, but everyone silent). Your editor will thank you.

Thanks to everyone! I feel a lot more confident now!

I always start with "Are the actors ready?" 50% of the time they are not.

Then I call "Sound Rolling?"

It doesn't matter if we're recording to video or to a standalone device, if the sound level is off (litterally or figuratively), then all bets are off.

Also, once the sound is rolling, everybody knows this is not "just another rehearsal."

I find I have to always confirm "Camera(s) Rolling?" and look for as many thumbs up as there are cameras, or if I'm the one behind a single-cam shot then I state: "Camera is Rolling..." just to keep inquiring eyes from turning to look at the camera(s). Then the actors, amazingly, don't act until I call

"Action".

This pattern assures the leader in sound and visuals. I also ask my actors to not burst into the action immediately after "Action", but to give it "two heartbeats" - so my call is not upstaging their action.

For what it's worth, consider avoiding dialog with the word "cut" in it. I had one "can only shoot this scene once, folks" take where the TV anchor's line was "Have we cut to commercial?" Sound and one camera were cut for the next 16 seconds until the two separate crew members realized that the *director* had not called "cut" and the action was merrily going on without being recorded by them. Not as bad as "The Bedford Incident", but annoying nevertheless.