For some reason, when people leave film school, they believe that they know everything and that they don’t need to ask questions. Here’s the problem, if you don’t ask, no one will tell you. There is nothing wrong, on set, in film school, or anywhere else, if you go ahead and ask the question you desperately want to know the answer to. Now, I’m talking about work, not wanting to know what kind of shampoo the AD uses.

When you’re on set, if you see that the person you want to ask a question to isn’t running everywhere or red as hell, go ahead and ask your questions. I find that the best time to do so is during lunch. People are just more relax and ready to talk about anything. if there is one thing to know about most of the people in this industry it’s that they like to teach. People love to teach people who want to learn.

However, if you’re asking a question to get the answer you want, and aren’t ready to listen to the person, I suggest you keep quiet. Because then, you’ll be wasting their time and yours. What’s the point of asking a question if you don’t really care for the answer?

Also, on set there is always the protocol. You should go up to the director in the middle of a take and ask him why isn’t the actor doing something else. I’m not saying that you should keep away from the above the line crew/cast, but there are time and ways to ask questions and I’m sure you’ll know how and when to do so, with those people, once you’re there.

Just don’t be judgmental, be the guy who is interested to know why that person made that decision this way etc.. They may not want to answer you and that’s fine. I doubt that Stanley Kubrick would answers questions about directing from his crew members.If they don’t just thank them anyway and walk away. Not everyone will want to, but that’s fine! So use your own judgement!