How long is a standard filming day in Thailand?

At EasyLiving Films, a standard filming day is 12 hours for commercials, indie films, music videos and art projects, and 10 hours for events and live streams. Lunch time is included.

When does overtime start on a film set?

Overtime starts 15 minutes after the agreed working day ends. Each new overtime hour is counted only after 15 minutes have passed into that hour.

How is overtime paid?

Overtime is paid at 10% of the agreed day rate per full overtime hour.

What is the minimum rest time between shooting days?

The minimum rest time is 10 hours. If the rest period is shorter, the missing hours are counted and paid as overtime.

When is a half-day rate applicable?

A half-day applies only to short shoots such as quick interviews, live streams or brief event coverage. It is limited to 3 hours and paid at 60% of the full day rate.

What are the rules for shoots outside Bangkok?

For shoots outside Bangkok, production must provide accommodation, three meals per day, and a per diem of 500 THB per person.

What is a recce and pre-light fee?

Both recce (location scouting) and pre-light are billed at 50% of the standard day rate as professional pre-production services.

Film Set Rules in Thailand

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Film Set Rules

Film Set Rules Explained: Daytime, Overtime, Breaks, Fees, and Production Standards

EasyLiving Films International Production Standards

At EasyLiving Films, we follow international film set standards adapted to Thailand, built on respect for crew, actors, transparency for clients, and realistic production workflows. This is how a video production house should build their workflo.

These rules apply to commercial advertising, video interview, corporate video, event video, documentary, music video, real estate video, and independent films.

Call Time Definition

All working time starts at CALL TIME.

Bangkok shoots:
Call time is the time the crew must be on set.
Outside Bangkok shoots:
Call time is the bus or transport departure time, not arrival at the location.

This ensures travel time is treated as working time and avoids hidden overtime.

Standard Working Day (Including Lunch)

🎥 Indie Films, Music Videos & Art Projects

12 hours total

🎤 Events & Live Streams

10 hours total

All working days include lunch time.

Overtime Rules (EasyLiving Films Standard)

When Overtime Starts

Overtime begins 15 minutes after the agreed working day ends
Overtime is calculated in full overtime hours only

How Overtime Is Counted

Each overtime hour is triggered only after 15 minutes have passed into that hour.

Example:

The end of 12 hours shift: 20:00
20:01–20:14 → no overtime (grace period)
20:15–21:14 → Overtime Hour 1
21:15–22:14 → Overtime Hour 2
22:15–23:14 → Overtime Hour 3

This rule applies to every additional overtime hour, not just the first one.

Overtime Rate

10% of the agreed day rate per full overtime hour
after 6 hours OT – 15%

Minimum Rest Time Between Shooting Days

Minimum rest time: 10 hours between wrap and next call time
If rest time is less than 10 hours, the missing hours:
- Are counted as overtime
- Paid at the standard overtime rate

This rule exists for safety, health, and performance in video production in Thailand.

Half-Day Rate (Short Shoots Only)

Applicable only for:

Quick interview
Live stream
Short event coverage
Simple technical setup

Conditions:

Maximum 4 hours of work
Paid at 60% of full day rate
Exceeding 4 hours automatically converts to a full day

Lunch Break & Meals

Lunch Break

60 minutes standard
45 minutes only if:
- Approved by the 1st Assistant Director
- Agreed by all crew

Lunch Timing

Not later than 6 hours after call time

Second Meal

Required on long days
At least 4 hours after the previous meal
Not later than 6 hours after the previous meal

Breakfast Rule

If the call time is before 08:00 AM, breakfast must be provided

Crew Welfare

Production must always provide:

Drinking water
Basic snacks

This applies to all shoots, regardless of duration or budget.

Transport & Taxi Policy

Taxi or transport must be provided when:

Call time is before 07:00 AM and after 11:00 PM
Public transport is unavailable

Outside Bangkok Rules

If video shooting takes place outside Bangkok, production must provide:

Accommodation
Three meals per day
Per diem: 500 THB per person per day

These conditions are mandatory.

Recce & Pre-Light Fees

Recce (location scouting): 50% of the day rate
Pre-light: 50% of the day rate

Both are professional pre-production services and billed accordingly.

Travelling Fee (No Shooting Days)

If a crew member is required to travel for production purposes and no shooting takes place, the following rule applies:

Travelling fee: 50% of the agreed shift (day) rate
Applies when:
- Crew travels to or from a location
- No shooting or technical work is performed that day

Transportation Costs

All transportation costs are fully covered by production, including:
- Bus or van / Taxi / Fuel / Tolls / Parking

Travel days are considered working commitments, even without active shooting.

Why These Rules Exist

We apply these standards because:

Healthy crews deliver better results
Clear rules prevent budget conflicts
International clients expect transparency
Ethical productions save time and money

These are real working rules, used daily on EasyLiving Films sets across Thailand.