Group scene

A production in which three or more people are involved in front of the camera. The difference from the duo is less a matter of content than of organisation: with every further person the number of arrangements, proofs and date overlaps rises, and not linearly but clearly faster.

Why these shoot days are the longest

Every extra person means another makeup, another contract signature, another ID check and another person who is waited for if they are stuck in traffic. Shoot days with several people start earlier and end later than any other production form.

The largest time share does not fall on takes, but on rebuilds. Camera positions, lights and continuity have to be planned for more people in the picture, and every correction affects everyone. Anyone who works in this format should be prepared to spend a considerable part of the day dressed in the holding area.

Waiting time is working time

This is the point at which it becomes economic. Billing is by day rate, not by minutes in the picture — on video productions 400 to 1,200 euros per shoot day. If a day grows to twelve hours through the group size, the effective hourly rate falls accordingly.

Therefore clarify beforehand from when overtime is paid and whether meals are supplied. Both belong on the Call Sheet, not in an oral promise in the morning. The ranges of all production types stand under pay.

Proofs and limits with several people

Everyone involved presents an STI-Panel, on the shoot day no older than 14 to 30 days, paid by the production. It is not enough that the majority is tested — if one proof is missing, the scene does not happen.

On matching the limits the same principle applies as in a duo, only with more people: what counts is the intersection of all lists, not what the majority agrees on. The condom rule for vaginal and anal intercourse applies here unchanged and for every constellation involved.

One contact, not five opinions

In larger constellations the hardest thing to see is who actually decides. That is exactly why it has to be fixed before shooting starts whom you turn to if something is not right: a named trusted person or direction.

The reason is practical. If you raise a limit in a group and no clear responsibility exists, the objection often runs into the sand because everyone assumes someone else will deal with it. With a named contact there is exactly one address — and the take is stopped until the question is settled.

What you want to know beforehand

Ask for the exact number of people involved, for the planned wrap, and whether the other names are given before you accept. If a production does not answer the number of people bindingly, cancel. A scene whose scope you only learn on set is not a plannable booking.