This is appendix A in a series of posts I’m doing on on producing a micro budget short. Usually, after every production, there is something that posed problems or caused delays or expenditures that could have been dealt with before-hand. I’ll intent to collect these things here, as dealing with all the big and small elements, or more importantly, making sure someone else is dealing with them, can become overwhelming.
Big productions solve this by having a very regimented structure where each role or department has a very defined set of responsibilities. But when you are producing a micro budget project, often working with a lot of first-timers etc. – you sometimes need to be very hands on with these things if you want to be sure they are being dealt with.
Obviously this list is in no way completed and I intend to add to it as I continue to make mistakes and fuck up things that could have been thought out before 
By all means give me your items for the checklist in the comments or on arnarfjodur (at) gmail.com
Communication
Cellphones
Walkie-talkies on set
Crewlist with phone / email
Callsheets
Directing
Final shooting script / notes
Storyboards / Floorplans
Shotlist
Reference texts / images
Production
Budget
Legal restrictions
Health and safety
Risk assessment
Security
Insurance
Production office
Shooting schedule (scenes to days)
Equipment lists
Equipment availability
Bookings
Transportation
Crew / cast to set
Equipment
Runners on set
Runner’s cars
Driving licenses
From abroad or other territories
Fuel
Locations
Time access
Physical access (remoteness, stairs, etc)
Risk of damage
Permissions
Parking
Sound conditions
Light conditions
Green room (make-up / hair)
Actors / extras holding
Toilets
Catering facilities / kitchen
Maps / directions to set
Signs near set
Catering
Lunch
Breakfast
Craft services
Coffee / tea / water
Dinner
Wardrobe + hair / make up
Continuity stills
Script adherence
Time v.s. schedule
References
Fittings / tests
Art department
Props handler
Production designer
Carpenters / builders
Prop audition
Set construction
Set dressing
Studio spaces
Consumables (gaffer and duck tape!)
Accommodation
Crew / cast
Distance from set
Food access
Cast
Auditions and casting process
Rehersals
Costume fitting
Availability
Contract
Release forms
Crew
Contract
Availability
Role definition
Orientation / information
Media
Format
Workflow
Backup
Camera
DoP
AC (1st, 2nd?)
Equipment
Equipment transportation
Consumables
Lights
Gaffer
Sparks
Equipment
Generator
Electricity access
Consumables
Grips
Grip
Assistant grips
Equipment
Sound
Recordist
Boom op
Equipment
Sound conditions
ADR (dubbing)
Post production
Schedule & booking
Workflow
Editing station
Editor
Color grading
Visual effects
Graphics / titles
Licensing of material
Sound design
Music / composer
Delivery
Other
On-set photography / publicity stills
Making – off