What is Film Set Field Guide?
There's a kind of knowledge that lives on film sets and almost nowhere else. It's in the way a 1st AC tapes off a lens without being asked. It's in how an experienced gaffer reads a location before a word of direction has been given. It's in the thousand small decisions that separate a production that runs smoothly from one that doesn't.
Nobody teaches this in a classroom. It's not something that people learn in film school or talk about on Youtube. Therefore, most of it gets passed down quietly — from DP to camera assistant, from experienced grip to new crew member, from one person who's been through it to the next. Film Set Field Guide is my attempt to write it all down, and share everything I've learned in a way that could help the next person. The good shoots, the bad, and all the mistakes that turn into lessons, all so the next person doesn't make the same mistakes that I've made.
Film Set Field Guide exists to make the working film industry more legible — for people trying to break in, and for working crew who want to go deeper into the craft and the business.
What you'll find here
- Stories from real productions — the lessons that only come from being on set, written down so you can carry them
- Clear, practical explanations of technique — not dumbed down, but genuinely accessible
- Honest conversations about the business side — rates, relationships, career sustainability
- Answers to the questions you've been too afraid (or too busy) to ask
- A community of people who take the craft seriously and are generous with what they know
Who This Is For
Film Set Field Guide is for two kinds of people, and both matter equally here.
If you're trying to break in: You're studying, working PAs, shooting your own projects, someone trying to take the next step, and trying to understand how the professional industry actually operates. Everything here is written with you in mind — no assumed knowledge, no insider gatekeeping. Just genuine guidance from someone who remembers what it felt like to not know.
If you're already working: You've got credits, you've been on set, and you're looking to grow. Maybe you want to sharpen your technical craft, understand the business better, or just feel less alone in an industry that can be isolating. There's something here for you too.
Wherever you are in your career, you belong here.
About the Author
I'm a cinematographer based in Chicago with over 10 years of experience on set — on projects ranging from small, social media projects for small brands to larger, commercial sets with national brands. Along the way, I've met some incredible mentors, peers, and masters of their craft who have taught me everything from the right and wrong thing of doing things to the tiniest decisions and tricks that separates great work from just good work. I've had my share of struggles and my string of successes, and want to share everything I've learned on set out with anyone willing to listen.
Lastly, every article is free. If something here helps you, the best thing you can do is share it with someone else who could use it.