When working on a film set, you want to provide the cast and crew with food and drink options to keep them fueled throughout a long day of shooting. So, what exactly should be included in a craft service? Our guide to craft services can help you decide what to bring to set and the kinds of foods and beverages the cast and crew will appreciate.
What Is Craft Services?
Craft services in the film industry refers to the department responsible for providing cast and crew members food and drinks. Many film crews outsource their catering to another company, while other productions may use a team from in-house to create and serve food and beverage options.
Craft services exists on set at all times during the filming process. Actors and crew members can grab a snack from the craft services table between takes and eat meals during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The amount and type of food may vary depending on the production and the film budget. Craft services may offer food like chips, nuts, cookies, pretzels, fruit and veggies, or beverages like coffee, tea, soda, water and juice. They may also provide meals like coffee and donuts for breakfast or pizza and burgers for dinner.
Why Is Craft Services Important on a Film Set?
Craft services is essential on a film set to feed a hungry cast and crew and maintain energy throughout the day. When the cast and crew are hungry, they don’t perform as well, which could hinder the film’s production quality. Depending on your production and your associations, you may be required by regulations to provide craft services options, too.
Being prepared with food for snacks and mealtimes ensures production runs smoothly and gives the cast and crew a convenient way to stay nourished while on set.
Top 3 Tips for Craft Services
Learning to create the best craft services table is essential when working on film sets. For example, you can make a craft services checklist or assemble a list of foods your cast and crew members can and can’t eat. Here are three more important tips for craft service in the film industry.
1. Choose Flexible Catering Options
There are all kinds of caterers in the business, and you want to choose the best one to support your craft services needs. Depending on where and when you’re filming, you’ll likely want to work with a catering company that can be flexible enough to meet the demands of your production. For example, shooting outside might involve providing slightly different options than when shooting on an indoor set.
Therefore, selecting a catering company that can provide both hot meals on set and lunch boxes for on-location shooting is a great way to ensure your cast and crew are well-fed and ready for shooting.
2. Provide Healthy Options and Alternatives
Many people who run film sets wonder what should be included in a craft services meal plan. It’s essential to have healthy options and alternatives for those on set with nutritional needs or allergy requests. Encourage the cast and crew to eat healthy foods, like fruits and veggies, to keep them energized throughout the day.
Some healthy food and beverage options you can provide include:
- Fruit and veggies: Offering fruits and veggies ensures cast and crew have healthy snacks to eat between takes.
- Yogurt parfaits: Include various yogurt options that can be mixed with fruit, honey or granola.
- Packaged snacks: Offer bags of pretzels, popcorn or chips for something people can grab easily.
- Granola and protein bars: Put out different types of granola bars to provide a healthy snacking option. These bars can also be a quick and nutritious breakfast option.
- Sandwiches: Select two or three kinds of sandwiches to give your cast and crew some options for a good lunch or dinner.
- Tea and coffee: Keep your cast and crew hydrated and caffeinated with various tea and coffee options. Creating a tea and coffee station at your craft services table is a terrific way to ensure everyone can choose their favorite options.
- Water: Be sure to provide plenty of bottled water throughout the day. It may also be a good idea to offer a cooler for cast and crew members to refill their reusable water bottles.
3. Keep the Craft Services Table Accessible
Making the craft services table accessible is important, especially when your cast and crew work long days without many breaks away from set. Keep the craft service table near the set at all times to make accessing food throughout the day easier. Save people time and energy by placing food nearby, so they can grab it and go as needed.
Consider Apple Spice’s Box Lunches for Your Craft Services Needs
Apple Spice offers box lunches and catering services to fit your film set needs. We provide a variety of box lunches for film crews who want to enjoy a good meal in between takes. Choose between sandwiches, salads, soups and extras for your craft services needs.
Feel free to schedule a delivery of your lunch boxes for a future date or request some boxes to be delivered in a few hours. Our company is flexible, providing meals whenever you need them on set.
Apple Spice prioritizes safety regarding our lunch boxes. We label all boxes to eliminate the guessing game and smooth over craft services operations. As a result, you can spend less time figuring out your craft services options and more time getting that perfect take.
Find an Apple Spice Catering Location in Your Area Today
Apple Spice offers catering services in more than 30 locations. As a corporate catering company, we understand your film set requires fast and easy service when the cast and crew get hungry. Leave the craft services duties to us, and your cast and crew can enjoy plenty of delicious and nutritious food and beverage options while on set.
If you’re interested in putting together craft services for your set, explore our services or contact us today to speak to a representative.
