Crew member employed on a day-to-day basis rather than for the entire production – paid a daily rate and typically hired for specific shooting days when additional crew is needed, common for specialized positions or peak workload periods.
What is a Daily?
A Daily (Tages-Beschäftigung) is a crew member hired on a day-to-day basis rather than for the entire production. Dailies are booked for specific shooting days when additional personnel are needed or specialized skills are required.
Types of Employment Compared
| Type | Duration | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Individual days | Per day |
| Weekly | Weekly | Weekly rate |
| Run-of-Show | Entire production | Project flat fee |
| Flat Deal | Agreed period | Fixed amount |
Who is Hired as a Daily?
| Position | Typical Situation |
|---|---|
| Additional Grips | Large setups |
| Extra Electricians | Complex lighting |
| Specialists | Steadicam, Drone, etc. |
| PA (Additional) | Crowd days |
| Stunt Crew | Action days |
Advantages for Production
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Flexibility | Book as needed |
| Cost Control | Pay only when necessary |
| Specialization | Experts for specific days |
| Scalability | Adjust crew size |
Disadvantages for Production
| Disadvantage | Description |
|---|---|
| No Continuity | Changing personnel |
| Onboarding | New each time |
| Availability | Not guaranteed |
| Communication | More coordination |
Advantages for Crew
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Higher Daily Rates | Often above weekly equivalent |
| Flexibility | Own schedule |
| Variety | Different productions |
| Networking | Many contacts |
Disadvantages for Crew
| Disadvantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Uncertainty | No guarantee |
| Gaps | Between bookings |
| Benefits | Often none |
| Career | Less advancement |
Daily Rates (Orientation)
| Position | Daily Rate (DE) |
|---|---|
| Grip | €200–€350 |
| Electrician | €200–€350 |
| PA | €120–€180 |
| Specialist | €400–€800+ |
Booking Process
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Determine Need | Check schedule |
| Inquiry | Via phone/email |
| Confirmation | Deal memo |
| Call Sheet | With details |
| Wrap | Time tracking |
Deal Memo for Dailies
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Exact title |
| Date | Which days |
| Rate | Daily rate |
| Kit | Equipment allowance |
| OT | Overtime policy |
Overtime
| Region | Policy |
|---|---|
| Germany | According to collective agreement |
| USA (Union) | After 8/10 hours |
| UK | Buy-out or OT |
Daily vs. Weekly - Cost Example
| Scenario | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Days Work | 3× Daily Rate | 1× Weekly |
| Break-Even | ~4 days | = Weekly |
| 5+ Days | More expensive | Cheaper |
When to Use Dailies?
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Few days needed | Daily |
| Specialized | Daily |
| Full shoot | Weekly/Run |
| Unforeseen | Daily on call |
Administrative Aspects
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Contract | Deal memo |
| Taxes | Freelancer status |
| Insurance | Production coverage |
| Billing | Per day |
Cultural Differences
| Region | Practice |
|---|---|
| USA | Very common, union rules |
| UK | Common, BECTU rates |
| Germany | Less common, collective agreement |
| France | Intermittent system |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Book early | Secure availability |
| Briefing | Explain workflow |
| Stay in touch | For future bookings |
| Pay fairly | Reputation, quality |
Today
Daily employment is an integral part of film production. The flexibility allows productions to adjust crew strength as needed, while freelancers benefit from variety and often higher daily rates – a win-win structure that shapes the industry.
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