The Black and Blue

Filmmaking Tips for Camera Assistants

  • Blog
  • Camera Guides
  • Menu
  • 
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Free Ebook
  • Pocket Guides
  • Topics
    • Behind the Lens
    • Camera Assisting
    • Cameras
    • Getting Work
    • Industry News
    • Miscellaneous Tips
    • Production Stories
    • Toolkit
    • Website
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About The Black and Blue
  • Sponsorship
  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • 
  • U
  • 
  • R
  • @
  • Q
  • ˆ
  • ‰
×
5 Rules to Help You Dress for Success On Film Sets

5 Rules to Help You Dress for Success On Film Sets

In the old days of Hollywood, back before talkies ruled and when cameras were still cranked with film, burly men would wear suits on sets and sweat their butts off. Not today. These days dressing for filmmaking is a different game all about comfort and common sense. Here's 5 rules to stick by to stay comfortable on set so you can focus on doing your job right.

by Evan LuziMiscellaneous Tips

  • 33

1. Put practicality first

Film sets are full of hard, dirty labor, so always keep that in mind when dressing for the day. Your clothes should be durable, comfortable and allow you to get into a variety of positions. You’d be surprised how many shots end up feeling like what cave divers call a “squeeze.” If it comes down to style vs. practicality, go with the latter — film sets aren’t a fashion show.

2. Wear dark colors

I was once warned on a set not to wear white because it can reflect light into the scene. This made sense to me and especially since I spend a lot of time beside the camera, I didn’t want to risk even a small, soft bounce of light ending up on an actors’ face. Wearing dark colors will make sure you don’t worry about this issue.

3. Hats are your friend

Having a hat on set, even if it stays behind in a bag, is a good idea. I caught on to this early when I noticed that every key grip I worked with wears a canvas hat. In situations where you may be shooting in bright, hot sunlight for 12 hours, a hat can be your friend. It keeps shade in your eyes and your head cool instead of baking to a crisp.

Bonus Tip: If you’re shooting somewhere where you need to be wearing a hat, it’s probably smart to have a pair of sunglasses too.

4. Know the location

Every night before a shoot, you should receive a call sheet with the day’s location, weather and types of scenes being shot (i.e. interior or exterior). Read these to determine the clothes you’ll be wearing. Will you be shooting at night outside? Or indoors all day? Will there be rain towers on set? These situations will likely have different clothes associated with them. Nothing is worse than being miserably hot or shockingly cold for a 12 hour shoot day.

5. Comfortable shoes

This is the most important tip for dressing on set — you need to have comfortable shoes and ones that tie. Slippers, sandals, and Crocs have no place on a film set. The shoes you wear will serve many purposes:

  • Keep your feet comfortable while you stand on them all day
  • Keep your feet safe from objects that may potentially land on them
  • Allow you to move about set at a fairly brisk pace

It helps to purchase some sturdy shoes that will last awhile and use them for work alone.

A Note on Style

It’s tempting to dress with a bit of stylistic flair much like how we all wanted to look good in high school. That’s OK, but make sure to dress with what is a balance between style and comfort. You shouldn’t be working harder because your clothes restrict movement. If you do decide to dress for style only, know that you won’t get any sympathy if the clothes slow you down.

Dress to Work Hard

Gone are the days of suits, ties and long pants while shooting a movie film. Today, you need to show up on set ready to lug, tug and haul some gear in comfortable clothes with a practical purpose. The best part about dressing like this is that when the shooting day is over, you have no problems fitting in at the nearest dive bar for a drink.

Evan Luzi

  • U
  • 
  • z

Creator of The Black and Blue. Freelance camera assistant and camera operator. Available for work: Contact Evan here. Learn more about Evan here.

An Essential Resource for Digital Cinema Filmmakers

Get the Complete Library of 30 Digital Cinema Pocket Guides

  • Canon C500 Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
  • Blackmagic Cinema Camera Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
  • Nikon D800 Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
  • Canon 5D Mark II Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
  • Sony FS700 Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
  • Sony F65 Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
  • Phantom Miro 320s Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
  • RED Epic Digital Cinema Pocket Guide
Click Here to Learn More

Read Next

Deciphering the Film Slate Mural

Deciphering the Film Slate (Part 3): Twelve Examples of a Completed Slate

I find looking at other slates to be extremely helpful. When I was first starting out as a 2nd AC, it was useful to see how others applied the principles I had learned about slating. So let's take a look at twelve completed clapperboards.

  • Fight Club as a Film and Novel: A Copy of A Copy of A Copy
  • Why Your 2nd Job is More Important than Your First
  • Shooting with RED Epic #4: Use the LED Status Indicators to Save Time
  • The A to Z Guide to Film Set Etiquette

Happy Labor Day: The Film Industry Should Treat Crew Better

Today is Labor Day in the United States and, as we recognize this national holiday dedicated to the achievements of the American workforce, it's important to acknowledge that the crew in the film industry – the labor – hold more skill, talent, and power than is being recognized and rewarded.

  • 'The Gift of Room Tone' featuring Martin Scorsese, Roger Deakins, Cristopher Walken, and More
  • Focus Puller Chris Silano on Using the Preston Light Ranger
  • Tom Cruise Isn't Messing Around with COVID Safety
  • 20 Holiday Gifts for Camera Assistants (That Your Family Can Actually Afford)
  • Most Popular
  • Most Recent
Becoming the Reel Deal eBook Cover on iPad

It Only Takes One Gig.

Becoming the Reel Deal is a free downloadable eBook written to help you get your first job on set in the camera department so you can launch your film career.

Sign up now to get your free copy and exclusive tips from The Black and Blue.

Get Your Free Copy
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Credits
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 The Black and Blue, LLC