Daily call sheet

The daily call sheet is a filmmaking term for the schedule crafted by the assistant director (often the 2nd assistant director), using the director's shot list. It is issued to the cast and crew of a film production to inform them of where and when they should report for a particular day of filming.

The production schedule is listed by a general and individual call time, the time when people are expected to start work on a film set.

Information found on call sheets

Call sheets include other useful information such as contact information (e.g. phone numbers of crew members and other contacts), the schedule for the day, which scenes and script pages are being shot, and the address of the shoot location and parking arrangements. Call sheets also have information about cast transportation arrangements, parking instructions and safety notes.

Call sheets may also provide logistical information regarding the location. It is common to find such items as weather information, sunrise/sunset times, local hospitals, restaurants, dietary limitations, meal times and quantities, and hardware stores on call sheets.

Classic call sheets were printed on paper and delivered by courier or runner; recent call sheets were Excel-based and emailed as PDFs and the latest generation of call sheets is cloud-based, while emailed PDFs are still the industry norm.

Further reading

• Peter W. Rea, David K. Irving. Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video. Focal Press 2000, pg. 55. ISBN 0-240-80394-9
• Eden H. Wurmfeld, Nicole Shay LaLoggia. IFP/Los Angeles Independent Filmmaker's Manual. Focal Press 2004, pg. 222. ISBN 0-240-80585-2
• Pat P. Miller. Script supervising and film continuity. Focal Press 1998, pg. 48. ISBN 0-240-80294-2