Allergies and dietary restrictions
It is the crafty’s responsibility to accommodate for any and all food allergies or dietary restrictions the cast and crew members might have. Members of the set that have allergies or dietary restrictions are often listed on the call sheet (the production schedule created by the assistant director). If you are unable to find information on who might have an allergy or dietary restriction on the call sheet, make sure you reach out to the assistant director for that information beforehand.
Another alternative if you cannot contact the assistant director is to reach out and ask how you can accommodate each person individually. Everyone’s phone number who is involved on the set should be in the call sheet. It is extremely important to label each food that is on the table to avoid any cross-contamination. Keeping the crafty table labeled and organized will save you from putting anyone on set in harm’s way.
Be a smart crafty
When figuring out what snack foods deserve real estate on your crafty table, try to seek out nutritional choices. Granted, a plate of junk food or candy looks far more desirable than a veggie spread for most, but be aware that junk food alone will not sustain the cast and crew, and will most likely have them regretting their snack choice by the end of the workday.
It is a smart decision to have diversity among the food groups on your table so that everyone is provided an option. It is impossible to keep set morale high if the members of the cast and crew have not satisfied with their individual hunger needs. Below is a list of nutritious snack options that will keep your cast and crew fulfilled:
- Assorted fresh fruits
- Hummus with pita bread
- Cheese spread with crackers
- Granola bars
- Baked chips
- Vegetable platter
- Trail mix with dried fruit
- Regular and chocolate-covered pretzels
Beverages
No beverage is revered in the film community more than coffee. It is the energy stimulating lifeblood of most productions; without it, the attitudes on set can become slightly hostile. Just as having a surplus of water on your crafty table is critical, having a surplus of coffee is just as important to a degree. Be mindful that coffee is a diuretic and can make members of the set dehydrated, so be sure to encourage everyone to grab a water bottle or refill their reusable ones before they walk back to set.
Fruit juices are also a viable beverage option that provides vitamin C and potassium for your table. Canned sodas are commonly seen on crafty tables, however, they contain an unnecessary amount of sugar and are not a healthy substitute for the other beverages listed.
