What does a film crew eat on set? In this episode of โOn the Job,โ Priya Krishna shadows Concetta Scottodicarlo, a master of one of the most essential, yet often overlooked departments on set: craft services, or “crafty.”
Whether the set is tucked away on a soundstage or sprawled across a busy Midtown sidewalk, Concetta and her team are there โ fueling the cast and crew with meals, snacks, beverages and the highly appreciated sweet treat (a time of day she calls โCandy Lollapaloozaโ) throughout long, demanding shoot days.
We meet Concetta on the set of โBest of the Best,โ a dance comedy film from Netflix starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Priyanka Kedia and Hasan Minhaj. Concetta, who owns and operates her own company, is responsible for feeding more than 130 members of the cast and crew. First to arrive and last to leave, Concetta makes sure that everyone on set stays nourished, caffeinated and ready to roll.
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38 Comments
Fantastic explanation, thank you!
4:30 – 4:32 is he an actor?
good to see parle g gold
I feel like Malta has the Top Crafty in all the world! Been different Crafty spots, one in London, but Malta's Film Set Crafty is Top Tier! Satarianos No1 baby
I am glad that Indian Origin people are moving into show business…
The hosts hair suits her really well. Sheโs so prettyโค
definitely going in my top 5 dream jobs list
I just came across this show and I'd just like to say thank you. This feels like good ol' journalism. In the midst of brain rot and reels that shorten your attention span, this feels like a breath of fresh air. Keep telling us these stories of people and food โค
8:33
The guy who just grabbed it with his handsโฆ ๐ญ
2:40 So random seeing Parle-G on an American film set. This isn't even an Indian film shot in America, it's a fully American film.
This is such a great episode. Iโm in sustainability and Iโve been curious about the overlap of film and my field for a long time. I wonder what happens to all that food at the end of the day?
The reporter looks so much like Maitreyi, but older!
What they didnโt show:
Craft Service people are not paid well. For the hours they work and the generally non-stop motion, they arenโt truly that important budget-wise. The food costs are more important.
Crafty is first on location because Coffee. Must. Be. Ready.
On many shoots thereโs zero electricity until they provide it for you (mostly outdoor shoots).
You saw Conchetta deliver food. Now picture the exact location is 200 yards from the craft table. Or 1/2 mile. You still have to deliver those snacks and drinks.
Craft has to have coolers full before call time and must keep those drinks there all day. Loads of set visits.
Crafty makes food runs throughout the day because if you run out or need fresh or have special requests you canโt just shop that night when you get off.
Hot days = set deliveries every 1/2 hour. The water and drinks in coolers isnโt enough. Smoothies, protein shakes, fruit and melon, ice cream – all pre-prepared in cups for easy grabbing.
Crews snack in shifts. You canโt get to everyone on one delivery run. Between shots the grips and hands are too busy, so you hit the above-the-line people (producers, studio reps, the director, actors, etc).
Special orders are super common and you have to do your best. The director might skip lunch and really only wants an avocado with mayo and salt (in two halves).
Multiple set-ups are common. You fill the production trailer. The actor trailers. Have a table for extras (who may be hundreds of yards away). Always a small table to video village where the mucky-mucks sit.
Cold outdoor locations: You guessed it. Hot chocolate, cider, coffee, tea, room temp drinks, and warmed snacks like the paninis. All hand delivered by the crafty.
And someone said in another comment that these are just film crews, not ER workers or EMTs or firefighters and while thatโs true, go watch a film set. Because those crew members DO treat it like itโs the most important thing in the world.
Final note: Make sure the stunt people get a TON of calories. Especially when they spend 2 hours training and setting up for a 10 second shot or an extended fight scene.
OH!! One more rare note: Feed and water any animals and their trainers on set. Yep, itโs all part of crafty!
Craft services is the bloodline to any movie
On the Job is a series about food labor and the people who shape what and how we eat. Who would you like to see Priya interview next?
Concetta is awesome!
This makes me happy italian women still have a name out there . My nanas name is also concetta and sheโs an amazing cook โค
she looks like orla the therapist?
This short documentary is really hearty. And interviewer did a good job to show us what is it like to work in a creative industry. I wonder it sure must be hard to work 10 to 12 hour shift for months for one project and then straight to second project. You really have to be happy and patience for working in this industry. Hats of to all people who are working to give us beautiful films and also to them too who are supporting film crew.
Food is not just about survival, itโs a huge morale booster. The reason why those people can work so long is because their morales are high. And a great craft services person or cook is the anchor for that. Cool video!
sponserd by parle g
Not a fan of Netflix anymore but I am a fan of this woman! I hope the studio pays her well for each shoot.
my belly feels warm and happy and i'm not even there. Thank you Concetta + crew for being such gems
Guy says we are together all day like we are living together for a day lol. Dude work a normal job and get at me.
who is the actor at 5:01
Wow the garbage that is produced there is mind boggeling – so much single used items both paper and plastic and so much wrapping and single packagingโฆ
Priya, Concetta and Parle-G biscuits……Amazing combo……Happy Eating, folks!!
Great story, Concetta seems like a lovely, caring person.
Not in any way implying that it's anyone on set's individual responsibility โ but journalistically it would have been nice for Priya / NYT to at least mention something about how waste is managed in these settings. A lot of plastic and paper โ not to mention the immense amount of food waste produced by the film industry. How is the food waste managed after wrapping for the day? Do cast and crew take everything home? Does it go to a food bank? Composted? Or straight in the trash to end up producing methane in a landfill? (10% of our Greenhouse Gas problem comes from this). I live in LA and this is an industry-wide issue.
Again โ it's obvious that this is a structural problem to be handled at the studio level (not within the power of any individual employee), and the video clearly wants to keep a fun, lighthearted tone. I just think it could have been tactfully mentioned.
That last part is 100% my mom, she loves her job. She loves meeting people and telling jokes. And she loves being active, she doesnโt even know what sheโd do if she just sat around. Thatโs why sheโs still working, sheโs tired but she loves it!
I can't believe this showed up on my feed! I wish all craft services can provide such good vibes!
so I'm thinking craft service workers need wayyyyyy more recognition. awesome to see this!
I love Crafty!!! I always make sure to thank them personally
If I worked in film iโd request Concetta by name on every project
S.O.S. NOAHs ark
What movie were they shooting tho?
I loved this lil documentary. I want to be Concetta when I grow up. What a beautiful example of a graceful woman.
well done on this "on the job" i worked Crafty from 2005 – 2020…until c19 and the strikes gutted the LA low budget film industry. i moved into production coordinating but still took crafty jobs here and there. i too loved bringing the crew joy. our dept was the only one who touched ALL other dept's. i miss being on set. i hope the jobs come back to LA. meanwhile – it's what we call "survival jobs" for most of us.
My Mom would have us sit through film end credits until we saw who the Gaffer was. Thanks for that memory.