Film Locations Glossary
Nearby location
What is a nearby location?
Also called local location, or studio zone location.
A nearby location is one close enough to the production's base that crew travel in daily and no overnight accommodation is required, the opposite of a distant location.
The distinction is defined by the applicable union agreement, and it determines whether per diem, hotels, and travel days apply. Scheduling a location just inside the nearby threshold is a routine way to protect a budget.
Example
A warehouse 25 minutes from the production office is a nearby location: crew travel in daily, no hotels, no per diem, no travel days. The identical warehouse an hour further out changes the budget for every one of 90 people.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Determined by the applicable union agreement, and a routine scheduling consideration at scout stage.
Common mistake
Assuming a short drive means nearby. The definition is set by the union agreement's boundary, not by travel time, and being just outside it changes the cost for everyone.
Related questions
- How is the nearby boundary measured?
- From a defined reference point set by the applicable union agreement, not from the production office or by travel time, which is why a scout checks the line rather than the drive.
- Who decides whether a location is nearby or distant?
- The applicable union agreement, through a defined zone or radius, rather than the production's judgment about what counts as a reasonable commute.