Intro: The Call Sheet’s Role in Production
Like much of the film production process, call sheets have evolved like everything else. With versions of call sheets from film sets as early as the 1940s being auctioned off today, they are a huge part of filmmaking history. You could say they reflect the evolution of filmmaking itself!
One thing that hasn’t changed about making movies is the need to ensure everyone is on set at the right time, ready to create! Typically sent out by the first assistant director or production coordinator, call sheets are daily schedules distributed among the cast and crew needed for a particular day’s shooting. They tell us where everyone needs to be, at what time, and all the details we need for a successful workday.
In today’s time-traveling article, we’ll explore the history of the call sheet and how they’ve changed (or not) with the recent advancements in technology. Hold onto your hats!
If you want to learn more about the anatomy of a call sheet, check out our dedicated article What is a Call Sheet?
The origins of the call sheet
The earliest films of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were very small productions compared to the blockbusters today, so their operations were often small. Films were shot on short, single reels, requiring minimal cast and crew.
At this time, because communication was direct between the director and their teams, there wasn’t an immediate need for what we’d recognize as a call sheet today. Sound was also not a consideration, as this was the age of silent film, so verbal communication was common. Directors could easily shout instructions during filming, without interrupting any recorded sound.
However, as the industry began to grow at a fast pace, the need for more organization came to light. Crews got larger, and shooting schedules were extended to allow for more complex ideas and screenplays.
Early versions of the call sheet were handwritten or typed on manual typewriters. Copiers didn’t exist, so the information was drafted on a chalk board to begin with and transferred onto separate sheets of paper.
The details included on early call sheets were:
- The time the actors needed to be on set
- The order of scenes to be shot
- Locations
- Props and equipment
An early example of a call sheet is this one from Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. While there are no cast details, we can see that this particular day was reserved for crew tying up loose ends after shooting ends.
From Chaplin to Celtx: Call sheets just got easier.
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Unfortunately, there is very limited historical documentation of the early call sheet. However, we can imagine the frenzy of film productions as technology progressed and filmmakers became more ambitious.
For example, D.W. Griffith’s 1916 epic, Intolerance, employed over 3,000 extras and featured lavish costumes and sets. We can only imagine the sheer scale of organization needed, and the constant requirement for call sheets and review.
Similarly, in movies such as Metropolis (1927), the use of elaborate sets and special effects began to increase, so keeping cast and crew on schedule became paramount to ensure a successful shoot.
With the golden age of cinema kicking off in the early 1930s and the demand for movies increasing substantially, productions needed to be even more organized and streamlined to ensure audience demand was met.
The Rise of Printed Call Sheets
As we travel through the golden age of cinema and into the mid-20th century, call sheets have now evolved into the multi-page, detailed documents we know today.
With productions constantly leveling up their film techniques and aspiring for bigger things, call sheets needed to become more formalized alongside other film documentation, such as screenplays, storyboards and shot lists. With more locations required, it was important to include extra details like weather forecasts, transportation information, and eventually, telephone numbers.
Call sheets not only became a source of crucial information, but also boosted the camaraderie of the cast and crew, setting the tone for the working culture on and off set. Take this example of a call sheet from 1962 during the production of Goldfinger (1964).
Here we can see the call sheet has been typed out on a typewriter, with key details such as the cast, the times they need to be in the studio and on set, as well as information on props, special effects, when lunch is (extremely important!).
This call sheet is actually from the day they shot the famous line “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!” so this is probably why a dialogue coach is noted.
We can also see that today’s shoot also included a press reception later in the afternoon for the movie’s stars, Sean Connery and Honor Blackman, as well as a night shoot, with everyone due back on set for 7pm after their evening meal.
Even more details have been recorded on this 1996 call sheet from James Cameron’s Titanic.
Not only can we see the stark difference in how much detail is included on the cover page, from Charlie Chaplin’s 1941 version, but also how the call sheet is now used for important communications to the cast and crew. In this instance, there’s a memo detailing transportation options once the shoot has wrapped 10 days later.
The back of the call sheet also has a Christmas message and information of a Christmas raffle. It’s a fascinating insight into the workings of a set and the tone set by the crew at the very top.
You may have noticed that we’ve sourced these images from a props website, where film fans can purchase keepsakes and artifacts from their favorite movies. Call sheets are not just a piece of paper, but have become part of the magic of filmmaking.
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The Digital Shift
Gone are the days of spending hours, and sometimes days on end handwriting and typing out call sheets on typewriters (it was definitely a labor-intensive process!).
Today, software has come a long way in helping filmmakers streamline and automate the process of creating their call sheets for each day. With templates and an automatic population of information from the production schedule, creating a call sheet can be completed with just a few clicks, saving an enormous amount of time.
Not only that, if there are any revisions, the call sheet can be updated in real-time. If a scene needs to be rescheduled or an actor’s call time changed, adjustments can be made instantly. Also, real-time updates mean there’s no need to redistribute multiple versions of call sheets manually, as the new one will be automatically sent out to all who need it. This way, everyone is on the same page!
Complex algorithms are also built into software to help schedule a film shoot. In turn, the software then automatically adjusts call times and locations based on the latest changes in the script or production schedule. This is especially useful if you have a large cast and multiple locations to move between.
With everything centralized into one system, and accessible to all applicable personnel, important film documents such as the call sheet are less likely to get lost. Both safe and efficient.
Modern filmmaking software can often integrate with other production tools, such as budgeting software and script breakdown applications, to further simplify the pre-production process. That’s where Celtx comes in! Yes, we have all the tools you need to create your call sheet simply and quickly.
How Celtx makes call sheets easy
Not only does Celtx offer a fully integrated filmmaking suite, from script all the way to post-production, but we’re excited to offer you a free call sheet template for all your shoot days!
Easy to edit to suit your project, keep everything organized and your cast and crew up to date. Click here to grab your free template!
If you’d prefer to use our integrated call sheet, here is a quick tutorial on how to use Celtx to create your own in a matter of seconds. For this example, I’m going to use my screenplay, The Beach, to show you how easy it is.
First, on your Celtx dashboard, click on the script you want to schedule.
Then, in the left-hand menu, select Schedule.
Your schedule should now appear on screen, which has been automatically populated from the screenplay itself.
Next, select View from the top menu bar. A drop-down menu should then appear. From there, click Callsheets and Reports.
There should now be a white space in the center of your screen. To create a new call sheet, click New Call Sheet. A call sheet will then be created, starting on day one of your shoot.
From here, you can customize your call sheet to suit your needs.
Once you’re done, click Create.
Then you’ll have something like this, where you can populate all the information you need.
This is a very basic version of a call sheet, but you can be as detailed as you like – that’s the joy of a template! You can build on it as much as you like.
Looking to the future: call sheets in a remote world
Automated call sheets like this one are just one cog in the huge machine that is the remote world, and it doesn’t ever stop evolving. So, what’s next for call sheets?
With remote work becoming more popular in recent years, cast and crew often work from various locations. Digital accessibility is crucial for filmmakers, so everyone in their crew can access important documents, such as the call sheet, quickly and easily. Cloud-based platforms are a solid choice and have become indispensable for many productions, which not only allow easy distribution of material, but also the ability to make real-time updates wherever you are in the world.
Celtx is one of those cloud-based platforms constantly coming up with new ideas on how to make things as straightforward as possible.
But while we innovate and come up with new and exciting tools for the film industry, it’s important to keep in mind the usability of such tools. A user-friendly interface that can be easily customized to suit any type of filmmaker makes a huge difference to the production experience.
Related reading: Stages of Film Production — Overview of the Entire Process || Studio Binder
Conclusion: why call sheets matter more than ever
Some things may never go out of style, and the same can be said for the humble call sheet. An essential document in the filmmaking process, it has undergone significant evolution over the decades. From its modest beginnings with silent filmmakers, where handwritten notes sufficed for small productions, to its current digital iterations with epic movies like Titanic, the call sheet reflects broader changes in the industry.
As film crews have grown in size and complexity, so too have the details and organization required. The digital revolution has transformed how call sheets are created, shared, and utilized, with modern software like Celtx playing a crucial role in streamlining this process.
In an era where remote work is becoming increasingly common, the adaptability of call sheets is more critical than ever. With cloud-based platforms that enable real-time updates and ensure that all team members, regardless of location, have access to vital information, filmmakers can maintain the collaborative spirit essential to successful productions.
As technology continues to advance, the future of call sheets promises even greater efficiency and connectivity, allowing filmmakers to focus more on their creative vision, while ensuring that logistical challenges are effectively managed. The call sheet is not just a relic of filmmaking history, but a vital tool that continues to shape the industry’s future.
Ready to ditch the old-school call sheets? We’ll make it easy. Start with Celtx today!
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Looking to learn more about the movie industry and pre-production?
- What is Pre Production in Film | Defined and Explained
- Celtx: Your Ultimate Tool for Creating an Efficient Shot List
- What is a Script Supervisor? (What You Need to Know)
