Coffee Line Ethics: Who Deserves First Pour

Nobody writes a coffee policy, but every set has one. You learn it by watching who hovers at the urn at 6:15 a.m.: the PA with rain on his jacket, the gaffer juggling a mental single-line, the client who flew in late. The line is a small story about authority and attention.

The rule that works is simple: people needed in the next five minutes go first. That’s not status; it’s triage. If grips are trying to grab a quick pick me up before rigging a flag, or camera is trying for caffeine while sound is wiring talent, wave them through. If a client looks lost, walk them to crafty and say their name out loud. Half of set culture is making people feel like they belong in the room.

Coffee exposes anxiety more than ego. Clients worry about intruding. Crew worry about being invisible. You fix that with habits, not signage. Put a second station near village when the day is tight. Put milk and sugar where people won’t block traffic. Announce a simple rule at call time: “If you’re on the next setup, grab and go; everyone else, give them a lane.”

You can rotate a “coffee captain” from different departments each morning—five minutes of attention for the people who never get it. It costs nothing and sets a tone. The opposite also sets a tone. If senior people cut the line on a tough morning, the crew clocks it, and the next favor you ask comes back with interest.

This isn’t about caffeine. It’s a proxy for how you move time and respect through a room. Sets survive long days when the tiny things stay human.