Film Locations Glossary
Prep and strike days
What are prep and strike days?
Also called prep days, or strike days.
Prep and strike days are the days a production occupies a location before and after shooting, to dress, rig, and then restore it.
They are charged by most property owners, usually at a reduced rate against the shooting-day fee, and they need their own permits where public space is involved. Budgeting a location on shoot days alone understates it, sometimes by half.
Example
Two shoot days at a location need one day to dress and one to restore, both charged by the owner at half rate and both needing their own permit for the parking. Budgeting the two shoot days alone understates the location by a third.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Written into the location agreement and the permit application alongside the shooting days.
Common mistake
Permitting the shoot days and forgetting the prep and strike. Parking and access on those days need their own permits where public space is involved.
Related questions
- Are prep and strike days paid to the location owner?
- Normally yes, usually at a reduced rate against the shooting-day fee, and they are negotiated as part of the location agreement.
- Why do prep and strike days need permits?
- Because they involve trucks, equipment, and often curb space, which is the same public impact the shooting days are permitted for.