Best Call Sheet Software

Call sheets are the unsung heroes of any film set. A well-prepared call sheet ensures that everyone on your crew, from the director to the grip, knows precisely where and when to report for a shoot. Call sheets are the best way for producers to coordinate call times, schedules, and locations to ensure the production runs smoothly.

With so many call sheet tools on the market, it can be challenging for a filmmaker to choose the right one. To help streamline your decision-making process, we’ll be diving into the best call sheet software products on the market to help you find the perfect fit!

Call Sheet Software: An Overview

Let’s start by listing all the notable call sheet softwares on the market today.

SetHero Call Sheets

SetHero is a film production software that specializes in digital call sheet management. Built with efficiency in mind, it allows users to sign up, generate, and send call sheets within 30 minutes. Creating call sheets is easier than ever with SetHero’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It can also help you manage your contact bible and generate production reports.

Used by the likes of Fox, UFC, Complex Networks, and BuzzFeed, SetHero is one of the leading call sheet services in the business. In fact, SetHero caters to productions of all shapes and sizes, from music videos to feature films. Its user-friendly interface and robust features make it a top choice for industry professionals looking to streamline their production processes. With real-time tracking, customization tools, and a user-friendly interface, SetHero can adapt to your production’s needs.

StudioBinder

StudioBinder is a web-based production management software tool. Call sheets are only one of many features built to assist filmmakers during the development, pre-production, and production process. You can create script breakdowns, schedules, and storyboards directly on the platform. Notable clients include Legendary Pictures, ESPN, and Comedy Central, to name a few.

StudioBinder is an excellent tool for productions that require organization at the highest level. Its comprehensive feature suite and all-in-one platform make it the ideal choice for production companies, studios, and agencies that need to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Yamdu

Yamdu is an end-to-end project management tool for creatives that facilitates film production workflow from start to finish. It features an in-built call sheet creator, allowing filmmakers to quickly generate and customize call sheets.

Call sheets are only a single feature in the Yamdu suite. Therefore, it is best suited for large-scale productions that need to streamline their pre-production workflow from the ground up. Its collaborative capabilities and integrations with other software allow filmmakers to manage complex logistics with ease.

Celtx

Celtx is a screenwriting software program that also offers a call sheet generator as part of its team plan. Based on the screenplay and other production information, Celtx can automatically populate specific fields to save filmmakers time. Celtx also allows the sender to update or refresh the call sheet with the most up-to-date information.

This option is ideal for those already using Celtx for screenwriting. The customization capabilities and availability of other production documents are perfect for medium-sized productions that want to keep all pre-production workflow in one place.

G-Casper

G-Casper is a call sheet template built on Google Sheets. This template, developed by Prodigium Pictures, is entirely free to use. Based on your production information, the G-Casper Google Sheets template can auto-fill scene information, generate weather forecasts, and track food restrictions.

This free spreadsheet template is an obvious choice for smaller productions working on a tighter budget. Its error detection functionality is also a great selling point for assistant directors who want to minimize human error in their call sheet workflow.

Koala Call Sheets

Koala Call Sheets is an extension of the Gorilla Studio program, created by Jungle Software. It allows users to create, customize, and distribute call sheets. To use this tool, users must already have a Gorilla Scheduling subscription. Based on the scheduling details, users can quickly generate call sheets and avoid manually entering certain production details.

Being an add-on product, Koala Call Sheets is ideal for users already working within the Gorilla Studio ecosystem. When working on complex shoots, Koala Call Sheets allows the production office to distribute daily call sheets without wasting much time or effort.

Simple Callsheet

Simple Callsheet is a straightforward, cloud-based platform where filmmakers can design, manage, and distribute call sheets. Its user-friendly design and ability to send call sheets without leaving the website unlock a more seamless workflow.

The platform and call sheet’s simplicity make it a great option for smaller productions that don’t have as many resources or logistics to manage. It is ideal for film producers who need hassle-free call sheet software.

Assemble

Assemble is an all-in-one project management platform built for content creators of all types. It offers a variety of templates for production documents, such as call sheets, shot lists, production calendars, etc. The call sheet builder is outfitted with widgets such as dynamic maps and weather updates that update automatically.

Built with collaboration in mind, Assemble is for medium to large-scale productions with multiple team members. It’s also an all-in-one project management platform for producers looking for more than just a call sheet generator.

Call Sheets: A Comparative Breakdown

Ease of Use

When considering the user experience, call sheet-focused platforms such as SetHero, G-Casper, and Simple Callsheet are the easiest to use. The user interface across these platforms is straightforward, making them ideal for beginners.

The other platforms, such as StudioBinder, Assemble, Yamdu, Celtx, and Gorilla Studio, offer a full suite of project management tools perfect for seasoned producers and assistant directors. They offer a seamless transition from a shooting schedule to a call sheet. However, this could also lead to issues if your pre-production materials aren’t on the platform. There is also a steeper learning curve to these platforms, so first-time users must learn how to navigate the user interface before creating call sheets.

Contact Management

All the platforms on our list have some type of contact management capability. Beginner platforms such as G-Casper, Assemble, and Simple Callsheet offer a basic system that allows users to store the film crew’s contact information.

In contrast, StudioBinder, Yamdu, Koala Call Sheets, and SetHero have a robust contact management system. Depending on the platform, you can also automatically populate call sheets from the cast and crew list with a simple click, eliminating the need for manual entry. This workflow is particularly useful for production companies working on multiple projects with a rotating cast and crew.

Integration Capabilities

Many of the call sheet software on our list have integrations with other film production software that make importing/exporting data effortless. Below is a detailed guide on each platform’s integration capabilities.

Call Sheet Distribution

Sending out daily call sheets is a big part of the assistant director’s workflow. When working with limited time, efficient call sheet distribution is a must. Most of the tools on our list offer in-built distribution via email, so users can send call sheets without having to manually export, download, and email them. Some platforms also allow productions to make real-time edits and track call sheets to ensure that everyone is up to date.

Assistant directors are also often tasked with creating daily production reports to keep track of crucial information. Creating these reports at the end of each day can be taxing, so some platforms like SetHero, Yamdu, and G-Casper help you generate partial production reports that you can complete.

Below is a guide on which distribution features each call sheet platform offers!

Mobile Optimization

In the digital age, the ideal call sheet is optimized for mobile viewing. For most platforms, the final call sheet is sent via email as a PDF. SetHero, Studiobinder, Yamdu, Assemble, and Simple Call Sheets also send mobile-friendly call sheets. These call sheets are optimized for the mobile experience, allowing the crew to access and confirm their call times on their smartphone.

It’s also important to note that SetHero, Yamdu, Simple Callsheet, and Assemble allow producers to manage and update their call sheets on a mobile device. Interestingly, Yamdu also offers a companion mobile app called Yamdu Notifier to view notifications.

Call Sheet Customization

As filmmakers take on larger projects, their call sheet needs naturally evolve. What starts as a one-page document quickly becomes a complex logistical tool for larger productions.

Platforms like SetHero, Studiobinder, and Koala Call Sheets are built for larger projects and offer extensive customization options. Users can expect industry-standard call sheets with the ability to customize headers, integrate branding, and toggle sections on or off as needed. These tools also allow users to create and save templates, streamlining call sheet workflow for future productions.

Customer Support

Web-based applications can experience interruptions that could delay production if not dealt with quickly. Therefore, customer support reliability should be considered when choosing a call sheet software.

With the exception of G-Casper, every company offers some type of customer support resource. The only available resource for G-Casper is a community Facebook page where users can share their experiences and troubleshoot. When evaluating the dependability of customer support services, consider the following:

Price

Below is a breakdown of the starting price for each call sheet tool. You can also evaluate services based on whether they offer a free trial, annual plan discount, or student discount.

What is the Best Call Sheet Software?

This is a difficult question to answer because different projects have different needs. Furthermore, certain tools mentioned above might offer unique advantages depending on the production’s needs. Therefore, we’ve broken down this question based on different production circumstances to help guide your decision-making.

Best Call Sheet Software Overall

SetHero is the most powerful and comprehensive call sheet software available. Its intuitive interface, distribution capabilities, and real-time call sheet tracking make managing even the most complex projects straightforward. With robust customization features, SetHero can scale to any production size. It is a versatile option for both beginners and experienced filmmakers.

Best All-in-One Software

For filmmakers seeking a complete solution beyond call sheets, StudioBinder stands out. While it features some unique call sheet tools, StudioBinder is primarily built to streamline your pre-production workflow. Users can create scripts, shot lists, script breakdowns, schedules, and more all in one platform. It’s perfect for those looking to maximize efficiency with a comprehensive production toolkit.

Best Creative Team Software

For projects that require constant collaboration, Assemble is the best option. While its call sheet capabilities are simple, Assemble excels at optimizing creative workflows and streamlining communication. It’s a single platform, end-to-end solution for digital content creators who need to manage a large team across multiple departments.

Final Thoughts

Call sheets are the backbone of any successful film production. Productions can face unnecessary confusion, delays, and expenses without a dependable workflow for managing call sheets. For a seamless production experience, finding the right call sheet tool that fits the production’s needs and budget is vital.

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly yet reliable tool, try SetHero today!

Frequently Asked Questions