What do I need to bring with me on a filming day?
Nearly all of the items mentioned in this blog are recommendations - they’re designed to make you as comfortable as possible during long filming days.
We will discuss everything besides any mandatory costume items that you are required to bring with you. If required, those items will be mentioned in the costume brief either in the availability enquiry, the booking confirmation or at the fitting - or most likely, all three. Don’t forget them!
There is surprisingly little that you have to bring with you to a filming day.
The constant staple across all jobs is a decent refillable Water Bottle, as disposable cups run out quickly, produce waste and are often prohibited from sets. On hot days, you’ll really appreciate a water bottle that keeps cold water cold, so we recommend an insulated flask over a cheap plastic bottle.
Secondly, always bring a form of physical photo ID with you, ideally in the form of a Driver’s License or Passport. Some studios including Pinewood and Shepperton Studios will not approve your day pass without a form of physical identification with you.
The rest of these items are purely creature comforts that make the day easier on yourself:
Coffee flask - you don’t know how long you will have access to a hot water urn. Make your coffee at the start of the day and enjoy it hot later. This also gives you the chance to enjoy decent coffee from home or the Craft Van - the Nescafe instant coffee packets that productions provide are not to everyone’s taste!
Snacks - the gap between meals can be quite long. You will not be allowed to take any food or drink near the set, so leave snacks in holding. Always be sure to dispose of any litter responsibly and avoid nuts - many productions are nut-free for good reason, please don’t send anyone into anaphylactic shock.
Travel cutlery set - Some enviornmentally-conscious Supporting Artistes reduce waste with their own cutlery. Seasoned SAs will also attest that cutting food with the plastic knives provided can be its own mission.
Black socks - a reliable costume staple.
White base layer/vest - a reliable costume staple.
Comfy shoes - your costume shoes may not be the comfiest. To give your feet some relief when you’re not on set, it doesn’t hurt to bring a pair of trainers/uggs/crocs to swap into.
Hand cream - Your hands can get dry when exposed to the elements for long hours.
Suncream - Hair & Make-Up will often provide some if you ask but on large crowd days they may run out quickly. Remember to apply sunscream before you are given make-up in the mornings.
Sunglasses - Remove these before stepping on set if they aren’t part of the costume!
For Winter/Night Shoots
These are additional items that make surviving colder shoots much easier.
Thick socks - great for both the cold and reducing blisters. Go a size-up on the shoes at the fitting and wear thick socks, your feet will thank you.
Thermal base layer - top & leggings - the M&S base thermals are especially good.
Heated jacket - a new addition seen in some crowd holdings but can be expensive.
Oversized coat - to go over your costume offset and between takes. Your costume could be thin or exposed and many scenes set in the Summer are shot in the cooler months. On bigger productions, the secrecy cloaks handed out by Costume are also going to be thin - we recommend a warm, oversized layer that covers you entirely from the neck down instead.
Gloves - you’ll need to stash them somewhere while the cameras are rolling.
Hand/Feet warmers - these are often dispensed by the Costume Department, but it doesn't hurt to have your own supply.
Hot water bottle - On the bitterest of nights, nothing can beat a warm hug.
Quiet activities to pass the time in holding.
On the bigger productions especially, you’ll often have limited access to your phone while it is locked with security. Alleviate screen-withdrawal symptoms with any of the below:
Book/Kindle/Magazine
Notepad + Pen
Sketch Pad
Crossword/Sudoku puzzles
Chess Set
Pack of cards / Uno - Avoid rowdy fast-paced card games, especially if you’re close to set.
A final note on personal possessions:
Even though most crowd holdings will have a security/crew presence, productions are not liable for any personal possessions that are damaged or stolen.
You are responsible for all items you bring with you to filming days. We do not recommend bringing any valuables that you are uncomfortable to leave unattended. If you wish to leave anything such as a laptop with security before leaving the crowd base, most will accommodate if you ask nicely.
How did we do? Did we miss anything?
Let us know what you bring below!
The email address to use for any profile-related issue is epcommunity@extra-people.com
If you have any pay queries please contact ukartistsupport@ep.com
If you have any booking enquiries please reply to the last email concerning that project. Your email will go to a dedicated email for that production.
If you have general enquiries that are not pay or booking related, please contact team@extra-people.com