The call sheet is perhaps the most important piece of paper handed out to cast and crew during filming. This report includes detailed information on the next day's shooting schedule. It lists what scenes will be filmed, the location, nearest hospitals, which actors are called and their call (requested arrival) times as well as the crew's call times. The back of the call sheet typically lists all crew members by department. Contact information for the production company, assistant directors and other crew members are included.
Because most information on set is verbal--and very time-sensitive--walkie-talkies serve as the primary communication tool on a film set. Most crew members have one. The production department uses Channel 1 to relay important information to everyone else on set. This includes when camera and sound are rolling and cut, when the crew is "moving on" to the next scene, when the crew has broken for lunch break and returned to work, which actors are on their way to set and announcing wrap (the day's end). Production uses Channel 2 to pass on detailed information. This keeps Channel 1 clear for major announcements. Other departments typically have their own channels where they can communicate with each other. Production assistants and the assistant directors usually manage walkies, including distribution, battery supply and other inventory duties.
During filming, memos, revised scripts, blank time cards and other pertinent documents must be delivered from the production office to people on set. A production office rep (usually a production assistant (PA)) delivers labeled envelopes to the assistant director (AD) team. An AD or PA then distributes the documents to respective crew members or their department heads. Set PAs also typically keep what's known as an "AD kit" on set with extra call sheets, "sides" (script pages for the day's scenes) and other commonly requested documents.
Throughout the development, pre-production, production and post production phase, a variety of information systems keep a film production running. Emails, phone calls, interdepartmental memos and face to face meetings comprise the majority of those information systems. A film production is ever-changing, so tools like email and telephone are particularly important tools, especially since there are always tight deadlines to make. Where the AD team is responsible for on-set communication during shooting, the production office is responsible for disseminating relevant information to the other departments off-set during all phases of production. Information on producers' visits, extras casting, location scouting and any other important events are filtered through production. The production office is obligated to garner necessary information from relevant departments and notify the rest of the crew via memo or email (usually both).