BY HANNAH PRIMAN
First day being amongst a film crew? I get it, it can be intimidating. Craft services is the role not many notice as being significant, especially compared to the director or actors. However, being crafty is a pretty important role and doing it well can make your job a whole lot easier.
Here are some awesome ways to make your job more enjoyable as well as keep the cast and crew happy on set.
- Excel template
If your a lists person, type it out. Write a list of all the food and drinks you want on set, where you will buy it as well as the quantity. Quantity is important because you don’t want to provide too much or too little food for the cast and crew. This makes life a lot easier, if it’s neat and well organised.
- Bring quality food
First of all don’t forget the food! You don’t want hungry angry actors, yeesh. Bring food that is tasty and fresh, and keep it balanced between healthy and sweet. Check if there are any dietary requirements and be extra careful if people have allergies. Here’s some ideas:
- Fresh fruit (Bananas, Berries, apples, grapes)
- Bagels
- Crackers
- Chips
- Garlic Hummus
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Complete salad in bag (caesar)
- Oat bars
- Nuts (almonds, cashews)
- Homemade cookies
- Lollies and chocolate
TIP #1: Buy bulk and stock up! Having stocked up food on set can change your crew’s happiness and the the overall experience on set. Prepare the day before and make sure you double check you have all the food and drinks on your list.
TIP #2: Don’t bring messy food to set, avoid really juice food, food that stains, or food that spoils easily. Buy items that can stay out all day.
- Coffee and Water
This is a must! Otherwise, people will be murdering each other and falling asleep. Have coffee ready and hot at all times. Keep an eye out on what the cast, director, director of photography, and the 1st AD order, this saves you from asking what type of coffee they prefer. Everyone else can visit crafty, but these guys never stop and you want to make sure they’re energized.
Keep everyone’s water refilled and chilled if you can. Make sure you label the cast and crew names on their cups as this keeps confusion at bay and doesn’t waste cups.
TIP: To be a little more fancy, add some lemon and cucumber to your water to make it refreshing and tasty.
- Do it before they ask you
Take initiative, don’t wait for the cast and crew to ask you for their coffee orders or a drink of water, do it before they ask you!
TIP: Go around with some snacks every once and awhile, however you don’t want to seem like a waitress to everyone, so be aware of the atmosphere.
- Be fast and efficient
Whether you are serving food out or making coffee, make it quick. People want things at a click of a finger on set, make people happy and at ease by doing things fast and efficient like cleaning up dirty cups, labelling items and making sure there is minimal waste.
- Go the extra mile
This comes hand in hand with being efficient, to be the best crafty think of things ahead of time and do things like:
- Take out the trash
- Cover food if there’s flies
- Pay attention to people’s preferences (if someone wants a coke, bring them a Coke and not a Pepsi)
- Wipe down dirty benches
- keep areas clean
- Bring the essentials
Don’t just think food and drinks as a crafty, you need more than just that to keep your production running smoothly. Here are some other supplies you’ll need to keep near your craft service table:
- Pens
- highlighter
- tissues
- ice cooler
- ice bricks
- extra plates & bowls
- bin and bin liners
- sharpies
- masking tape
- napkins
- folding tables and chairs
Your main job is to keep everyone happy and content. By being organised, methodical and exceeding the requirements you could be the best creative crafty on set.
