Cold Set

The Preparatory Stage

A cold set is the direct opposite of a hot set. It is any stage, set, or location that is not actively being filmed or about to be filmed. This designation signals to the entire crew that it is a working space where they are permitted and expected to perform their duties. The ‘cold’ status is temporary; a set is only cold during the preparatory phases before a scene begins or after it has officially wrapped.

This distinction is fundamental to the orderly and efficient operation of a film production. The constant flow between a ‘cold’ state and a ‘hot’ state is the basic rhythm of a shooting day. An Assistant Director will officially declare a set ‘hot’ when the director is ready to begin rehearsal or shooting, and will declare it ‘cold’ or ‘wrapped’ once the work in that space is complete.

Activities on a Cold Set

A cold set is a hive of activity, with multiple departments working simultaneously to prepare for the upcoming shoot. Common activities include:

• Art Department: The production designer, set decorator, and props team are “dressing” the set—placing furniture, hanging pictures, and arranging all the props that will appear on camera.
• Lighting (Grip and Electric): The Gaffer and Key Grip, along with their teams, are “pre-lighting.” They are setting up lights, running cables, and rigging stands and flags to create the desired look for the scene, often under the guidance of the Director of Photography.
• Camera Department: The camera assistants may be building the camera, laying dolly tracks, or setting up a crane.
• Stunts and Special Effects: These departments may be on a cold set to prepare and test rigs or equipment before the actors arrive.

Essentially, a cold set is the workshop. It’s where the complex technical and artistic elements are put into place before the final, delicate stage of performance and filming begins, at which point it becomes a hot set.