What Is a Call Sheet?
A call sheet is the daily production document distributed to cast and crew before each shoot day. It contains everything your team needs to show up prepared: call times, shooting schedule, locations, parking, weather, emergency contacts, and key personnel. On professional sets, the 1st Assistant Director typically prepares and distributes the call sheet the evening before each shooting day.
What to Include on Your Call Sheet
Every call sheet should cover the essentials: the production title, shooting day number, date, and general crew call time at the top. Below that, list your director, producer, and AD along with contact information. Include the location name, full address, and parking instructions so nobody gets lost on the way to set.
The shooting schedule section breaks down which scenes you're covering that day, with descriptions, locations, page counts, and which cast members are needed. A separate cast section lists individual call times — pickup, makeup, and on-set times — since not everyone needs to arrive at crew call. Round it out with a crew list, general notes (meal times, walkie channels, safety briefings), and emergency information including the nearest hospital.
How to Use This Call Sheet Generator
Click any field on the call sheet above to start typing. Tab moves you between fields. Use the + Add buttons to insert additional rows for scenes, cast, or crew. When you're finished, hit Print / PDF to generate a clean, print-ready document using your browser's built-in Save as PDF option. You can also save your work as a .lcs file and reopen it later — handy for multi-day shoots where the structure stays the same but the details change.
Tips for a Better Call Sheet
Double-check every call time before you distribute. A typo that sends a grip to set two hours early is the kind of mistake that erodes trust fast. Include weather and sunrise/sunset times so your DP can plan lighting setups. Always list the nearest hospital with a phone number and address — it's an industry standard and often a requirement for production insurance. Keep your notes section concise but don't skip it: walkie channels, meal times, and any company moves should be called out clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a call sheet for a short film or student project?
Yes. Even a one-day shoot with a small crew benefits from a call sheet. It ensures everyone knows where to be, when to arrive, and who to contact if plans change. On student sets especially, a call sheet signals professionalism and helps prevent the kind of miscommunication that eats into limited shooting time.
Who is responsible for making the call sheet?
On professional productions, the 1st Assistant Director (1st AD) prepares and distributes the call sheet, typically the evening before each shoot day. On smaller or student projects, the producer or director often handles it. Whoever takes it on, the key is making sure the information is accurate and distributed early enough for the crew to plan their morning.
When should I send out the call sheet?
The standard practice is to distribute the call sheet the night before the shoot day, usually by 6–7 PM. This gives cast and crew time to review call times, plan their commute, and prepare any department-specific gear. If there are significant changes after distribution, send an updated version clearly marked as a revision.
What's the difference between a call sheet and a shooting schedule?
A shooting schedule is a multi-day overview of the entire production, showing which scenes are planned for each shoot day. A call sheet is the single-day document generated from that schedule — it includes the day's specific scenes plus all the logistical details the crew needs: call times, locations, weather, parking, emergency info, and contact numbers. Think of the schedule as the plan and the call sheet as the daily briefing.
What paper size should I use to print a call sheet?
The industry standard is US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches). This call sheet generator is formatted for Letter size by default. When using your browser's Print or Save as PDF option, make sure Letter is selected as the paper size for the best layout.
Can I save my call sheet and edit it later?
Yes. Click the Save button in the toolbar to download your call sheet as an .lcs file (a lightweight XML format). To continue editing later, click Open and select your saved file. This is especially useful for multi-day shoots where the structure stays the same but details like call times and scenes change each day.