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On-Set Greens

Standby greens covering the shooting unit: resets, continuity of living elements and last-minute camera notes. Also credited as Standby Greens on some UK shows.

Duties

• Match unit call; stay with camera for greens in frame
• Reset plants, leaves, turf and dressings between takes
• Protect continuity (season, damage, wet/dry, wind dress)
• Liaise 1st AD, Camera and Art on last-minute notes
• Carry a small on-set kit for ties, foliage patches and water
• Flag when hero plants need nursery swap
• Coordinate with SFX/atmos if foliage interacts with effects
• Wrap with unit; hand notes to next day’s cover

Reports to

Head of Greens / Greens Chargehand; 1st AD on set flow

Works with

Camera, ADs, Standby Props, Art, SFX, Locations

Career path

Greensperson → On-Set Greens → Greens Chargehand / Head of Greens

Day to day

Stand with unit; reset fast; keep hero greens camera-ready; communicate nursery swaps early.

Call times

Dressing greens often pre-call for plant dress and watering; on-set / standby greens match unit call and wrap with camera. Nursery and load days before first shoot can start early — check dressing vs standby call.

What to wear

Matte blacks; boots; radio; gloves; compact on-set greens kit.

Tools & kit

Radio, small foliage/tie/water kit, continuity notes, PPE.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap, kit/vehicle fee and nursery location on the deal memo. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk / Art Department cards and your production. On smaller shows Greens may sit under Art or Props; larger features often list Greens as its own department.

Software

• Excel / Google Sheets plant lists, schedules and budgets
• PDF art packs / Bluebeam drawings
• PureRef / Milanote moodboards and botanical refs
• Shared call sheets (StudioBinder / Yamdu / PDF)
• WhatsApp / radio for on-set greens notes
• ChatGPT for species/season research drafts (HOD verify flame-retardant, invasive species and H&S)

Related roles

Head of Greens, Greens Chargehand, Standby Props, Standby Art Director

More Greens roles