Your first day on a movie set can easily become your last if you're not careful. Often spent as a Production Assistant (PA) and almost always as a volunteer, you can expect to be bossed around and maybe yelled at, but if you hold your own, you will survive.

Once that intimidating first day is over, you will surely have learned many valuable lessons about working in this industry and hopefully you will have had fun. The main thing to remember is that no one's going to walk you through anything. You have to jump in with both feet, and do the job right. . .even if you're not sure how.

The following six steps are meant to guide you through your first day on a movie set. Whether it's a no-budget student film, or a largely funded feature, you're going to have to figure how to keep your job.

1. Be Professional
Being professional doesn't necessarily mean you have to be a professional, just remember to show up on time, listen to your superiors, and work diligently. Sure there's plenty of room to have fun, but if things aren't getting done and you're laughing and talking to someone, it's going to come down on you and you're most likely going home.

2. Hustle
When the Director/AD/Producer/Etc. asks you to get something done, get it done in a hurry! Most of the time producers try and pack the most filming they can into each day, and if you slow them down, you're costing them money. Ignore the tired cries of your feet and start working hard.

3. Don't get in the way
This is very important. Never let yourself be caught in the shot unless you want to suffer a lot of angry yells and embarrassment. It doesn't just apply to the shot though, make sure you give everyone plenty of room to get by you, and remember that you're working as a team to get the film done.

4. Shut Up
When you hear "Quiet on the set!" take notice. If you talk during a scene, expect to get kicked out or at the very least yelled at. Remember that almost all sound is captured by live microphones, and they don't have selective hearing. Even quiet whispers can be heard from behind the camera. If you're outside of the set it might still be necessary to stop talking.

5. Make Friends
Being friendly is an important part of working on set. Some people will tell you to "network" and suck up to people to get your next job, but just being friendly and talking to people will suffice. Often if you attempt to network, you will be seen as fake and it will have a negative effect.

6. Bite Your Tongue
No matter what someone says to you, hold back your witty comebacks. Experienced people might notice that you're inexperienced and try to pick on you or patronize you, but just bite your tongue and accept their advice (No matter how mean-spirited it may be).

Keep in mind that these six steps are just basic guides to try and help you become successful in the film industry. If the situation comes up and you feel like the best thing is to disregard one of the five steps, by all means do so. Remember to keep a smile on your face, and try not to get frustrated. Everyone on set wants to have fun, and if you're not, they might not want you back.