How Long Is a Full Day on Set?
Working on a film or television set is exciting but also demanding. Unlike a typical 9-to-5 job, a full day on set often lasts much longer, sometimes stretching into overtime. So, how long is a standard workday in the entertainment industry? Let’s break it down.
1. Standard Work Hours on a Film Set
In the film and TV industry, a full day on set is typically:
- 12 hours long, including meal breaks.
- This is the standard length for both actors and crew under union contracts like SAG-AFTRA (for actors) and IATSE (for crew).
For example, if a call time (start time) is 7:00 AM, the expected wrap time (end time) would be around 7:00 PM.
2. Overtime and Extended Hours
Filming doesn’t always stick to schedule, and when things run late, crew members and actors may be required to work overtime. Here’s how it typically works:
- After 12 hours, workers start earning overtime pay (often 1.5x their regular rate).
- After 14 hours, the rate may increase to double time (2x pay).
- After 16 hours, some unions enforce “golden time”, where workers earn a full day’s wage for each additional hour worked.
Due to high costs, productions try to avoid extended overtime, but sometimes delays, complex scenes, or unpredictable conditions make long hours unavoidable.
3. Turnaround Time (Rest Periods)
To prevent exhaustion, actors and crew must have a mandatory “turnaround time” (rest period) before being called back to work the next day.
- For actors (SAG-AFTRA), the minimum turnaround is 12 hours.
- For crew (IATSE), it can range from 10 to 12 hours, depending on contracts.
For example, if an actor finishes shooting at 10:00 PM, they shouldn’t be called back before 10:00 AM the next day.
4. Special Cases: Half-Days and Overnight Shoots
- Half-Days (Short Shoots): Some productions book actors for a half-day, typically 4 to 6 hours.
- Overnight Shoots: If a scene requires nighttime filming, a “day” may start at 6:00 PM and end at 6:00 AM.
5. Why Are Film Days So Long?
Filmmaking is expensive, and productions aim to maximize every workday. A single shooting day involves:
🎬 Setting up equipment (lights, cameras, sound).
🎬 Multiple takes of each scene.
🎬 Wardrobe, hair, and makeup prep.
🎬 Location changes.
Because of these factors, 12-hour workdays are the industry norm.
Conclusion
A full day on a film set typically lasts 12 hours, but it can go much longer with overtime. While actors and crew are protected by union rules to prevent overwork, long days are common in the entertainment industry. So the next time you watch a movie, remember—it likely took many long hours to bring that scene to life! 🎬⏳
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