What Not to Wear on an Albertan Film Set
Credit: Photo - Selfie, Styling - Sarah G. Schmidt, Location - On Location
Growing up in rural Saskatchewan, the TLC show “What Not to Wear” gave high-school-me some solid hope. Someday I could get to a city and turn into the adult I wanted to be who dressed the way I wanted.
Cut to nearly twenty years later and I’m on film sets all over the prairies, foothills, and small towns near Calgary. I leave the city to get to the rural spots for work. Life is funny sometimes.
Over the years I’ve gathered up enough intel to share what working on a film set it like. I can’t get into too much detail on the good gossip stuff – signed those NDAs after all – but I can share what I’ve learned style-wise. Just like the formative show above, I’m not going to tell you what to do, no, I think it’s more helpful to share what NOT to do when getting dressed to work on a film set.
Do not wear open toe shoes
Film sets are more like mini constructions sites than downtown offices. Thus, your need shoes to protect you. Plus you are on your feet for twelve plus hours day after day and your feet will thank you for the support. I’m not a fan of open-toe footwear any time at work – unless you’re a lifeguard – so best to keep those dogs covered for a stylish and safe pass.
Do not wear too much synthetic fabrics
100% Cotton and 50% or more wool content are your friend. Sure, there are huge advances in technical clothing – silver in the fabric for wicking and odour trapping, for instance – but I find them quite costly. Too much polyester - a more affordable synthetic - and you’ll not only be in your own personal sweat lodge purgatory, you’ll have the body odour to prove it. I say check your labels, make it a natural fibre, and wash up every night you smelly goat.
Do not wear thin fabrics
Yes, thin fabrics may keep one cooler, they are also super easy to rip. On a fence, on a wooden step, near other gear, or simply bending the wrong way. It’s sad when clothes rip. Pardon me. There are times when it’s hilarious. While it’s funny and humbling when it’s the tush of your pants that blows out, it’s not funny when you’re at work with your butt hanging out without a back-up to change into.
Do not wear shorts
We film in the bush; we film on backroads; we film in old, cast off buildings; we film in ditches; we film on farms and ranches. There are simply too many things – rusty metal, trees and brush, bugs and critters, items left behind - out in the world that can jump out and get on your legs. I’d rather stay protected than stabbed in the shin. If you’re hot, roll the ankle hem up a tiny bit and fell that fresh air between your boot, wool socks, and legs. Cute, right?
Do not wear light-coloured shoes
I like to keep my kicks looking super fresh. I clean my soles after most days and wash up the rest whenever I see a smudge. Set life is a hearty opponent. If you’re like me, the shoe cleanup is a struggle because there is so much gravel and dirt that your shoes, even if you washed up the whole shoe every night after you get home from a fourteen hour day – don’t forget to add the commute to your set life day – your shoes will take a beating. Boots and darker colours are another friend of a set worker.
Do not wear clothes that exposes skin
Now it’s not because I’m an outdated, traditional prude that is not body positive, I tell folks to cover up because the Alberta sun in no joke. The amount of sun burns I see on set is alarming. A simple way to minimize your skin exposure is to cover up. While it may be tempting to get your guns out because the sun is out, I say keep those guns covered with a long sleeve to protect yourself. Skin cancer and sun stroke are serious so I’d rather be a bit sweaty and hot than get sun scorched, crispy fried like a Franks Hot Sauce’d chicken wing. Ouch.
Do not forget to wear a hat
I like to handle myself on set a bit like I’d treat a toddler: cover the essentials. I ask myself: am I hydrated? am I hungry? have I moved around so I’m not fidgety? is my skin protected from the powerful sun? when was my last washroom break? and where is my hat? It seems so simple to slap on a hat to protect your face and keep your body temperature cool but people prove themselves to be doofs. Get yourself a cute one and get on with the day. No tantrums required.
Of course there are more tips and tricks to dressing for work in the Alberta film industry – I haven’t even touched on wet and cold weather gear – but this is a start. Think of it like an appetizer: tasty, likely enough to get you through, but you could definitely have more later.
How about your work? Any tips or tricks you’ve learned for your specific environment?
