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Crew Call
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Crew Call

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call time forced call shooting call

The time the crew must be on set or at basecamp — the official start of the shoot day and working hours.

Crew Call is the start of the shooting day for everyone involved in setup: lighting, set, camera, sound, props. Working time begins from this minute, and from this minute, the wrap time is calculated backward.

Staggered, Not Together

In practice, there is rarely a single crew call. Lighting and set begin earlier because they are responsible for setup; camera and sound join when there is something to set up. The production office schedules this in stages—and anyone scheduled half an hour too early is paid to stand around.

What Depends on It

  • Rest Period. Between wrap and the next crew call, there is a legally and contractually regulated minimum break. A late wrap shifts the call on the following day—this is not a favor, but a requirement.
  • Catering. The deadline for the first meal runs from the crew call, not from the first clap.
From the crafts

Perspectives

Director

Creative or operational relevance to directing

Producer

Importance in production planning and execution

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