Film Locations Glossary
Wrap-out
What is wrap-out?
Also called wrap out, or location wrap.
Wrap-out is the process of closing a location down: striking dressing and rigging, removing equipment and vehicles, cleaning, restoring, completing the walkthrough, and settling the punch list.
It generates no footage and happens when the crew is tired and the schedule has moved on, which is precisely why it is scheduled and staffed rather than assumed. An unfinished wrap-out is how a production loses a deposit and a relationship at once.
Example
Wrap-out on a two-week location is three days: strike dressing and rigging, remove vehicles, deep clean, repaint, replant, walk through with the owner, and close the punch list. None of it generates footage and all of it is scheduled.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Its own scheduled and staffed phase, and the last thing the locations department does at a site.
Common mistake
Assuming wrap-out happens by itself once the last shot is done. It is days of work, generates no footage, and is where deposits and relationships are lost if it is not staffed.
Related questions
- What does wrap-out involve?
- Striking dressing and rigging, removing vehicles and equipment, cleaning, restoring, completing the walkthrough, and closing the punch list.
- How long does wrap-out take?
- On a substantial location, days rather than hours, which is why it is scheduled and crewed rather than left to whoever is still available.