Picture Car Glossary

lock-up car

What is a lock-up car?

Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars

A lock-up car is a parked background vehicle placed and secured in a specific position on set typically with wheel chocks, locked steering, or a prop chain to ensure it remains exactly in place for continuity across multiple shooting days.

Lock-up cars are particularly important in street scenes where background vehicles must not be moved by passersby, city vehicles, or overnight disturbances between production days. Wranglers verify lock-up car positions each morning against continuity photos before the first shot of the day.