Picture Car Glossary
run-of-show rental
What is a run-of-show rental?
Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars
Also called run of show, or ROS rental.
A run-of-show rental is an agreement where a picture car is booked and paid for across the full duration of a production from the first prep day through the final wrap day regardless of how many individual shooting days it is on camera.
Run-of-show rentals give productions guaranteed access and continuity, and typically come with a reduced per-day rate compared to individual day rentals. They are common for hero vehicles and key featured cars that must remain available and consistently dressed throughout a long production schedule.
Example
A hero car books run-of-show: prep through wrap, one rate, no hold-day arithmetic, and no risk of losing the vehicle when the schedule moves. More expensive in total than day rates, and cheaper than the alternative on a long shoot.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Agreed in the rental agreement for vehicles that appear throughout the picture.
Common mistake
Comparing run-of-show against shoot days only. The fair comparison includes the hold days and the risk of losing the vehicle when the schedule moves.
Related questions
- Does run-of-show remove the need for prep days?
- No. Prep still has to be scheduled and crewed, but it is covered by the single rate rather than billed separately, and the vehicle is guaranteed to be there for it.
- When is run-of-show worth it?
- For any vehicle appearing throughout the picture, where hold days would otherwise accumulate and a schedule change could cost you the car.
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