We've heard from lots of members recently who are working even longer hours that normal! In some cases, this is because productions have been enforcing an additional 1.5 hours per day for Prep and Wrap on TV series that are using the TV Agreement guidelines. If you've been wondering why this is happening, and what can be done about it, read on....

What is the TV Agreement?

and

Does the Art Department do Prep and Wrap?

Many Art Department and Set Decoration members who have worked on feature films throughout their career, are now finding work on high-end TV series, which have ever increasing budgets, production values and expectations. And with that, comes a different contract, with different terms.

What does this mean?

• Contracts for feature films with budgets over £30m are based on the PACT-Bectu MMP (Major Motion Picture) Agreement.
• Contracts for TV series are covered by the Pact-Bectu TV agreement, which has a different set of terms to the MMP agreement. 
• For films that have budgets of less that £30m, there is no agreement and the contract terms will have been set independently by the production companies. 

So what are the terms of the TV Agreement?

If you'd like to read about the terms in detail, you can find out more about it on the Art Department and Set Decoration guidance pages. But the major difference, and the one that is causing issues for Art Department crew at the moment, is the terms for prep and wrap. 

What is prep and wrap?

Prep and wrap is intended for crew members who need to set up their equipment in advance of the shooting day. Traditionally (and as per the MMP Agreement) it is a 30 minute period at the beginning, and also at the end, of each working day that is not paid for. We're hearing from many Art Department members, who are being asked to do extended periods of Prep and Wrap, on top of their standard working day. The current TV agreement is not specific about how much Prep and Wrap should be done by any of the departments. The MMP agreement has a list of departments that do Prep and Wrap. This list does not include Art Department. 

So should Art Department do Prep and Wrap on TV series?

An Art Department or Set Decoration member who has to walk into an office and turn on a computer, or walk onto a set, does NOT need 30 mins of prep for setting up equipment. Dressing the set, is not Prep and Wrap. Guidance from Bectu is that the 'Art Department does not do prep and wrap'. PACT has also issued separate guidance to their members that states that Prep and Wrap is “customary to that department and in accordance with current working practice.” and that "Prep and Wrap times should always reflect normal industry practice." 

The Bectu Art Department Committee is working on a campaign to include a clause in the TV agreement that will exclude Art Department from prep and wrap. This would bring the agreement in line with the Major Motion Picture agreement. A major budget TV series is comparable to the big budget films, and should have similar terms. 

What can I do?

If you are asked to sign a contract that includes a stated period of prep and wrap, you should make your HoD aware of the PACT guidelines and remind them that Art Department has never customarily done Prep and Wrap. If Production are unable to amend the contract, then you should clarify in writing  that you will not be working the prep and wrap hours without pay, and that if you are required to work these hours, you will be requesting overtime approval. The most important step in this process is ensuring that if you do have to work additional hours beyond the standard working hours specified in the contract, you must let your HoD / production know that you will be going into overtime, in advance of it happening. Keep an eye on the Bectu Art Department website for updates on this. We will also publish any further information on the guidance pages.

The Forum

If you'd like any help with these issues, do post any questions you have on the forum and we can give you some advice on how best to handle things. And similarly, if you've got a positive outcome to share, please do let other members know about it.