How to NOT be called back after your first day on set

It’s fine if you don’t want to take the job seriously. There are thousands of other people eager and ready for the opportunity to work on a film set, whether it's day-playing on the crew, getting on as a PA, or even just working as a background actor. They will replace you in a heartbeat if you show you aren't willing to be committed to the job. Here’s some great ways to let your supervisor know you don't appreciate the rare chance they gave you to make a good first impression. 

1. Show up late

If you have a 9am call time, showing up at 9:15 makes it clear that you don't want to be there like the rest of the crew who got there at 8:45am or sooner. Some department heads will let you go home right then and there since it's pretty common knowledge on set that 15 minutes early is on time, and on time is late. 

2.  Don't pay attention 

A great way to do this is by scrolling on your phone so that you miss important information coming through on the walkie. They hate it when they ask for you over the radio and don't get a response back. Since film sets are such a fast paced environment, it wastes a lot of time trying to communicate with someone who isnt even listening. 

3. Sit around and do nothing

   
   

This one doesn't always work if you are a stand-in or background since they sometimes have to wait around for a while till they are needed again, but it's a great way to annoy your crew if you're a PA or working in any of the active moving departments. The film industry is very much a hurry up and wait kind of work environment, but that means waiting until you are needed again so you can do your job quickly and effectively. There was a project I was acting in last weekend with two first time PA’s. One was always standing near the AD, attentive and ready to help where he was needed, while the other was sitting down on their phone in the other room the whole time, waiting to be told what to do. On a paid set, they would have gotten what they were asking for by being told to go home where you can sit around all you want.

Can you spot the person on this set that's not doing anything?

4. Fangirl over the actors and tell the director how he should shoot the scene

   
   

If for whatever reason, they are still keeping you on set and calling you back for more work after trying all those effective tactics, you can really secure your fate by distracting the actors. Ask to take pictures with them while they are trying to concentrate on their lines. The director has full control over how the scenes are acted out so they absolutely won't tolerate unwelcome advice from anyone below the line. You could also try making suggestions to the Director of Photography, the gaffer, or the producer on how they should do their jobs. They spent years of hard work and passionate dedication to get to the level of experience they are at now. Even if you know they are doing something wrong, or think you have a better idea, the clearest way to communicate that you don't want to do the job you have is by trying to do someone else’s job for them.

Answer: it was me. And it was my last day on set because of it!

If you wanted the job you were hired to do, you would always be looking for ways to help within your department, you’d adopt a sense of urgency in everything you do. If you have not already been assigned anything to work on, at the very least you’d be looking around to find what needs to be done next. Ask yourself how can your department ensure the production moves forward smoothly without any delays. In the service industry, the waiter wants to get the customer what they need before they even ask for it. It's the same way with PA’s on a film set, or any other department. For props they have what the actor is supposed to use ready as soon as they need it, and they are right there to take it back once they are done. Grip and Electric should always be looking ahead since it takes much longer to prepare their equipment for the next set up. Stand-ins are paying attention to when the crew is getting close to moving on so they can be close by to frame up the next shot.  No matter what job you are working or how much experience you have, your behavior on set, determines whether or not you get called back the next time they need someone. If this isn't something you are going to take seriously, don’t waste production’s time and find a different job that doesn't require you to have passion in your responsibilities. 

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-Daniel Ward