Film Locations Glossary
Standing set
What is a standing set?
A standing set is a constructed set kept intact across a production or a series rather than struck after use, whether on a stage, a backlot, or inside a practical location.
It buys reliable access and continuity at the cost of ongoing stage rent, security, and maintenance. On a series the build cost is amortized across the episodes that use it rather than charged to the one that built it.
Example
A series keeps a precinct interior standing for a whole season rather than striking it after each block. The build is amortized across the episodes that use it, and the ongoing cost is stage rent, security, and maintenance.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
A series-level decision, carried in the pattern budget rather than charged to one episode.
Common mistake
Charging a standing set's build to the episode that built it. Amortizing it across the episodes that use it is what keeps one episode's cost report from looking catastrophic.
Related questions
- How is a standing set's cost charged?
- The build is amortized across the episodes that use it rather than charged to the one that built it, with stage rent, security, and maintenance carried as ongoing cost.
- What does a standing set cost to keep?
- Ongoing stage rent, security, and maintenance, against the saving of not rebuilding and re-dressing it for every block.