Overview of the role
The stagehand / standby stagehand works as part of the stagehands team. They work with the chargehand stagehand and the supervising stagehand to ensure that the correct backdrops and sets are prepared, set and fixed in place for filming. Stagehands may also produce set pieces with specialised finish, and assist the wood mill machinist as required. The standby stagehand may also be involved with laying of track for cameras under the instruction of the grip. Stagehands then assist in the strike of the set once filming is completed.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Carry out opening of stage or workshop procedures at the start of the day.
- Conduct security checks to ensure all equipment is in place, and the set has not been tampered with, reporting any issues as required.
- Check what will be required for the day ahead.
- Keep the set / workshop free from debris at all times, and dispose of waste in line with regulations and production sustainability policies and procedures.
- Interpret the work requirements and layout of the operational area from the technical drawings and stage plans provided.
- Identify any hazards which may affect the work activity, and report to a departmental head.
- Check fire lanes have been provided for, including access and exit doorways, and these are kept clear of materials and debris.
- Check there are appropriate fire extinguishers for dealing with different fire classifications.
- Ensure procedures are followed – tools are locked securely away at the end of the workday, and all lights and sockets are isolated as per studio regulations.
- Check which plant and equipment require recharging for use the following day, charge in a designated area agreed with a chargehand stagehand or supervisor.
- Confirm the security requirements of the work area, recognising potential risks and unauthorised persons.
- Identify specialist tools and powered equipment for the work activity.
- Carry out pre-start inspections and performance checks, operating tools as per manufacturers’ instructions and safety regulations.
- Report any defects to a chargehand stagehand or supervisor.
- While using tools and equipment, take all necessary action to avoid accidents and damage to property and personnel.
- Liaise with the practical electrician for power tools and battery chargeable tools to be PAT tested every 6-12 months to maintain electrical safety.
- Use safe handling techniques for tools and powered equipment.
- Ensure all tools and powered equipment are stored safely and that no charging of lithium or harmful batteries in stages or workshops takes place outside of working hours.
- Check ventilation requirements and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment as required in line with health and safety requirements.
- Liaise with a chargehand or supervisor to obtain a hot works permit when using flame torch guns.
- Interpret the documentation requiring plant or machinery operations and the work to be carried out.
- Work with other departments, chargehands and supervisors to ensure a correct sequence of events for installing the set pieces.
- Identify risks and hazards, and procedures for dealing with these, within a given timescale and deadline.
- Confirm the location and dimensions of the stage and, if a water tank is built into the floor, ensuring that crew are aware this needs to be avoided with heavy machinery.
- Check and confirm that actions have been taken to make a set safe where it contains a water tank, and that information regarding this is communicated.
- Confirm the size and function of the items to be moved and identify the correct form of transport and its availability.
- Manoeuvre set piece items on trailers, avoiding hazards such as cables, workstations, other set pieces, crew or pedestrians.
- Ensure trailers are attached securely to towing plant or vehicles.
- Position workstations and powered equipment according to access, power and ventilation needs and be aware of emergency exits.
- Unload deliveries using appropriate handling techniques and machinery in accordance with health and safety regulations.
- Follow special instructions on set pieces to be retained as per set strike notice.
- Use appropriate tools and equipment to aid removal of set pieces.
- Dispose of waste during set strike in accordance with regulations and the production sustainability policies and processes.
- Interpret the documentation requiring plant or machinery operations and the work to be carried out.
- Identify and plan the work with the stagehand supervisor or head of department (HOD) stagehand, checking and agreeing the sequence of work activity with other departments.
- Check ground conditions are suitable for the safe operation of plant or equipment.
- Prepare, position and secure equipment for the work according to manufacturers’ instructions and health and safety procedures including provision and use of work equipment regulations (PUWER) and lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations (LOLER).
- Comply with organisational procedures to minimise damage to the work and surrounding area.
- Operate a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) to access scenery at height, and to manoeuvre crew or artistes to a position as per camera requirements.
- Shut down plant and machinery safely and leave in a secure position for the next operator.
- Check the planned schedule for the sequence of work to be undertaken.
- Confirm and agree that the rigging has been erected to the required standard and weight limit to hold the set backing.
- Keep the work areas free from dirt and dust, and the backings covered with craft paper or polythene sheeting.
- Ensure the backing is handled dirt- and dust free, and hung in line with drawing layouts from the art department.
- Use the correct tying techniques, tensioning out any creases.
- Operate and place machinery to access rigging and securing drapes to the framework.
- Work with VFX to position blue or green screens as required.
- Interpret specifications for a specialised finish.
- Identify tools and equipment required to produce the specialised finish.
- Select materials and lay these to create the desired coverings, as instructed by plans and specifications.
- Create wood effects and finishes as directed, using brushing and burning to the required depth and patina.
- Use specialist techniques to create the required finishes.
- Select the appropriate covering for windbags, such as cotton duck or hessian.
- Cover windbag frames to specifications using correct fixing methods to complete the overall effect.
- Confirm with the wood machinist how much material is required for each cutting list and its availability.
- Collect the materials from the onsite wood store.
- Check that the quality of the timber or plywood selected meets the requirements of the planned activity.
- Select the best available timber when joinery type timber is required for the work.
- Assist the machinist with lifting and cutting the wood.
- Arrange for the finished items to be moved to the required location.
- Ensure all activities involving machinery and movement of timber are in compliance with health and safety legislation and protocols, using correct PPE and safety guards as required.
- Check that the dust extraction system is functioning correctly, and whether the bags require emptying.
- Maintain a clean and tidy mill free from debris, controlling waste and recycling timber offcuts.
- Follow health and safety legislations, risk assessment method statements (RAMS) and briefings by the first assistant director at the start of any working day to understand the methods and sequence of events.
- Respond quickly to situations and instructions choosing courses of actions that will not hinder the filming schedule.
- Work effectively with other trades to produce the desired effect.
- Produce temporary structures as required within timescales.
- Make good any damage that is feasible in the time and resource constraints.
- Ensure construction items are restocked as necessary.
- Check and use only the types of track recommended by the key grip, checking the supporting surfaces and area around to avoid obstructions.
- Make sure the track is not damaged, identify any loose cables or trip hazards.
- Level the track, assessing the probability and nature of any circumstances that might affect the stability of the surface.
- Fit end stops to prevent the camera derailing.
- Keep up to date with health and safety policies and procedures for the production.
- Identify production working practices and aspects which may harm you or others.
- Consult with production’s health and safety advisor(s) to confirm you have covered all potential risks.
- Check with the location risk assessor for anything which might be a risk or hazard to the team working onsite.
- Confirm that risk assessments for the work of their team have been undertaken and their team complies with health and safety legislation and procedures.
- Update and maintain health and safety information relating to their team.
- Ensure they know who the relevant person to report accidents or near misses to is, and how they would need to receive the report (for example, in person or via email).
- Work in compliance with health and safety legislation, regulations, and protocols at all times.
- Report any dangerous behaviours immediately.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of stagehand / standby stagehand.
- Interpret stage and workshop requirements.
- Liaise with the chargehand or supervising stagehand on day-to-day scheduling.
- Train stagehand labourers to gain knowledge and experience of the work.
- Communication: building rapport and interpreting other’s requirements and communicating requirements to other departments and colleagues.
- Team-working: collaboration within own and with other departments, liaising with wood mill, grips, VFX, lighting and camera teams.
- Problem-solving: contingency planning and ability to resolve issues while shooting so that productions remain on schedule.
- Resilience and enthusiasm: adapt positively and quickly to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met. Proactive and explores new ideas and non-standard ways of working which will enhance and deliver the best results for the production.
- Productivity: organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines. Demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary.
- Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all their actions and interactions. Respectful and inclusive of others, and meets the ethical requirements of their profession.
- Flexibility: willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing production environment