Director
Creative or operational relevance to directing
The time a crew or cast member must be on set or at basecamp — not when shooting begins. Listed individually for each person on the call sheet.
The call time is an arrival time, not a shooting time. It is listed per person in the schedule and is different for each department: lighting and grip arrive before camera, camera before cast, and cast in time for makeup and costume to be ready.
The Distinction That Matters
- Crew Call — when the crew is on set.
- Shooting Call — when the first clap is actually called.
- Talent Call — when the cast is at base camp, usually significantly earlier than their appearance.
Between crew call and shooting call lies the setup time; anyone who confuses the two plans the day an hour too short.
Why It Matters
The call time is the start of paid working hours and the reference point for rest periods. A call that is too early costs money, a call that is too late costs shooting time — and the rest period between wrap and the next call is regulated by collective agreements, not negotiable.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Producer
Importance in production planning and execution
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Call Time / Ankunftszeit"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?