Limits on Team Hours

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

As someone who is in a significantly different "real world" I can say your mileage may vary.

My business is the exception to every rule. Although not a normal occurrence, TV has some pretty screwy hours. I normally work 6AM-2PM but that can change anytime including to an overnight shift the same day. When working big shows, I have started the day at 5 AM and been late for work the next day because I was still at the previous job. A typical Soundstage shoot day will begin at 7 or 8 with unloading of the band trucks, setting equipment on stage and audio setup. Rehearsal begins at 1PM, dinner 5 or 6 PM, tape at 8 PM. If the band is prepared and there is no need to restart, or record multiple takes, we will finish between 9 and 10PM and start packing the band to get them on the road. We will leave the place about 1 AM on a good night and I will be back at 6AM. If the band takes a long time, it might be midnight before we start packing the band. We are a union house and the contract provides for these hours with penalties, of course. Commercial shoots are sometimes pretty weird as well. If the product is brand new, has a hard release date and the marketing people want things just right, I have seen 50 carpenters building a set over the Labor Day weekend followed by four 16 hour days in a row to finish the shooting.