set Commands

PICTURE'S UP

• Assistant Director: “Rehearsal's Up” or “Picture's Up” followed or preceded by "Quiet on the set"

  • Assistant Director: Gives everyone a chance to get ready; Raises arm in air: “Stand By” or "Hold the work" as a second cue.

  • Production Assistants: Echo the AD's command "Quiet on the Set. Picture's up."

ROLL SOUND

• Assistant Director: Gives a verbal cue to Sound Dept to Roll. "Roll Sound"

  • Sound Mixer/Recordist: Gives a verbal confirmation back "Sound Speeds" or "Rolling"

  • Production Assistants: Echo the command "ROLLING!"

ROLL CAMERA & SLATE

• Assistant Director: Give a verbal cue to Camera Dept to Roll. "Roll Camera"

  • Camera Operator: Gives a verbal confirmation back "Camera Speeds" or "Rolling"

  • 2nd AC: Raises Slate into the frame as the 1st AC pulls focus on it. 2nd AC calls "Scene 1Alpha take one... marker" and claps the slate. (Insert corresponding scene, shot, and take number)

    • If the frame is tight (i.e. in a close-up) and forces the slate to be close to the talent's face, as a courtesy the 2nd AC calls "Scene 1A  take one... soft sticks" and lightly claps the marker so as not to startle the talent or disrupt the performance.

    • If the director calls action before the slate, or for any reason the slate needs to be taken at the end of the scene, 2nd AC rushes in at the end, raises the slate upside down as a visual cue to the editor that this is a 'tail slate', and calls "Scene 1A take one... tail slate" before clapping the slate.

  • 1st AC: Pulls focus back onto the talent as the 2nd AC exits frame. Once ready, calls out "Set"

ACTION & PERFORMANCE

• Director: Waits for 2nd AC to settle before calling “And... Action” or working out a non-verbal cue for Talent.

CUT

• Director: Lets the performances of the scene play out. Waits a few beats before calling "CUT" for lead room in editing.

• Assistant Director & PAs: Echo the director's command "CUT".  AD quietly checks with continuity, camera, audio to make sure there were no technical issues that might impact the quality of the take.  

  • Crew continues working QUIETLY as the director gives talent any notes or direction.

ANOTHER TAKE

• Assistant Director: Waits for confirmation from Director. If going for another take, calls "Going again" or "Back to 1", referencing the first blocking marker for Talent.

  • Production Assistants: Echo AD's command "Going again" or "Back to 1"

ANOTHER SETUP

• Assistant Director: If not going for another take and moving to a new camera setup/shot, calls "Moving On", along with the shot number, (Ex: "1B... One Bravo")

  • Production Assistants: Echo the AD's command "Moving on... Shot 1Bravo."