C&I Crew FAQ

What do I wear?

You should wear your provided C&I Studios branded T-shirt or hoodie, with either non-distressed jeans or shorts. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet for a while.

If a C&I Studios shirt has not been issued to you, please wear all black with no branding or logos. Black t-shirts, or black long-sleeves are fine to wear and either black shorts or black pants are also acceptable.

When do I arrive for the job?

You should always arrive to a C&I Studios job 1 hour before the shoot time. We will always send a Call Sheet with the proper arrival times. Upon arrival, always send a message to the Studio 323-844-3326, saying that you have arrived.

You should take this time to make sure all gear is working and build any necessary gear so you can start right away. You should always be waiting on the client, they should never be waiting on you.

If no one is there what do I do?

If no one is there, thats great. You should aim to arrive first. My father would always say, if you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. When you arrive, text the Studio 323-844-3326 and let them know you are there. Then work to build whatever gear you can, study the shoot even more, and plan ahead.

My gear stopped working. What do I do?

All gear should always be tested the day before the shoot. However, if any equipment fails, malfunctions, or shows signs of an issue, contact us immediately by texting 323-844-3326. Do not wait. We’ll address the problem and provide the appropriate solution.

What else do I need to do?

While you are at the shoot, and no other C&I staff are present, please take 2 vertical BTS photos:

1. A wide shot of the event or shoot
2. A BTS style photo showing gear and the event happening in background

Send these messages to your C&I contact.

The client is asking me to stay longer or to do something extra. What should I do?

If a client asks you to stay longer or requests additional work, let them know you need to confirm with the Studio first. Contact us at 323-844-3326. We’ll review the request and decide on the appropriate solution for the client.

We just wrapped and the job is finished. What do I do?

When the job is complete, thank the client properly. Shake their hand, look them in the eye, smile, and say, “Thank you so much for having me.” After that, break down your gear and do a full sweep. A sweep means checking every space you worked in to ensure nothing was left behind. It’s essential. A call from a client about forgotten equipment is avoidable and reflects poorly on everyone.

Do not ask the client for anything—no products, no items used in the shoot, no extra food. Wrap up professionally, clean the space, leave the location, and then deliver or upload all media to the Studio.

Where do I send back anything I received from the studio?

You will receive a FedEx pre-paid shipping label to mail back and gear from the Studio. When you leave the job head to the closest FedEx and drop your gear.

If the client asks me If I’ll do another job for them, what do I do?

If a client asks you about future work, that’s a win. Thank them for the interest and let them know that the Studio would be glad to help with their next project. Do not hand out your business card or personal contact information. This is a C&I Studios production, and all follow-up work must go through the Studio. Send us a text at 323-844-3326 right away with the details so we can take care of the client and keep the project moving. If the job moves forward, you’ll be first in line for the work.

Taking side work from a C&I Studios client breaks protocol and immediately ends our working relationship. We don’t want that. We have steady projects in your area and we want reliable, professional crew who can grow with us. Protect the relationship, keep communication clean, and everyone benefits.

If someone asks, “How long have you worked at C&I Studios?” what do I say?

Clients need to feel confident in the team, so your answer should reinforce that you’re part of an active, ongoing working relationship with us.

If you’re new, keep it positive and clear: “I’m new with C&I, and we’re working on some really exciting projects together.”

If we’ve already worked together for a while, reflect that: “We’ve been working on productions together for over six months.”

The key is to speak as part of the team. Avoid saying “they” when referring to the Studio. Use “we” because you are part of C&I Studios. This builds trust, helps you get more work, and keeps the client confident in the relationship.

Who should I talk to if I have questions?

At no point should you intervene in a shoot that is being managed by the client. If a C&I team lead is present on set, all communications should be through them. If there is not a C&I team lead present, you should text us at 323-844-3326.

Can I bring someone to the production to help or otherwise accompany me?

Under no circumstances should you bring anyone to a C&I Studios production without explicit approval from the Studio. This includes friends, family, assistants, or subcontractors.

Productions are carefully planned and staffed, and unauthorized additions can create safety risks, disrupt workflow, and compromise the client’s experience. If you need extra support, contact us in advance and we will make a determination. Always follow protocol to ensure the production runs smoothly and professionally.

If someone asks me for my personal contact information, what do I do?

Always direct the client to the Studio. Have them text 323-844-3326. This is the Studio’s master control number and only receives texts. Any messages sent there will be forwarded to you immediately.

Your focus should be on your work and the production. Let us handle all scheduling, logistics, and operational details. Do not give out your personal number under any circumstances. Doing so would be a conflict of interest and could lead to a termination of our working relationship.

The client is upset. What do I do?

Always communicate to the client that you are here to help them and solve any issues. If they are frustrated, you should text the Studio 323-844-3326 immediately. And we will talk to the client about whatever the issues are.

Where do I upload my files?

Upload all media here:
https://c-istudios.com/form/masv/

If you are shooting video and you have shot over 150GB of media, copy the media to the provided hard drive, and mail us the media and the drive back to the studio.

When uploading, please take a screenshot of the upload as it is happening and send to your C&I contact.

When do I get paid?

Thank you so much for working with us. You will get an email from Gusto, our payroll processor, for you to sign up for Direct Deposit and enter your tax information.

We cannot pay you until you fill this out so do that as soon as possible. All payments are Net30, meaning payment is made on or within 30days. We are generally faster with payments.

What's not covered?

Unless a client has specifically agreed to cover certain costs as part of their project budget, the following expenses are not reimbursable by C&I Studios.

Per Diem: We do not provide per diem. Meals and incidentals on set are your own responsibility unless a client has explicitly included per diem coverage in their production agreement, in which case you will be notified in advance.

Reimbursements: We do not reimburse out-of-pocket expenses unless they have been approved in writing before they are incurred. If you anticipate needing to purchase something for the production, reach out to your production coordinator first. Unapproved expenses submitted after the fact will not be covered.

Travel: We cover gas, not mileage. If you are driving to a location, you will be compensated for the actual cost of fuel, not a per-mile rate. As with all reimbursements, this must be submitted with a receipt.

If it wasn't discussed and agreed upon before your shoot date, assume it is not covered. When in doubt, ask before you spend.