Non-Deductible Breakfast – early morning food service provided to film crew that does not count against the required meal breaks in union contracts, typically light breakfast items available before the official call time to accommodate early crew members.
What is NDB?
NDB (Non-Deductible Breakfast) is early catering on film productions that is not counted towards the mandatory meal breaks. It allows for early calls without delaying the first official meal break.
Basic Principle
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Definition | Breakfast without credit |
| Timing | Before/at Call Time |
| Purpose | Crew provision early morning |
| Union Status | Not a Meal Break |
Union Regulations (US)
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| SAG-AFTRA | NDB allowed before 1st Meal |
| IATSE | Varies by Local |
| Meal Break | Still after 6h |
| Penalty | Avoidance possible |
Timing
| Element | Time |
|---|---|
| NDB Start | ~30 min before Call |
| NDB End | Call Time |
| First Meal | 6h after Call |
| Not Affected | Meal Penalty Clock |
What NDB Includes
| Typical | Description |
|---|---|
| Coffee | Always available |
| Pastries | Muffins, Donuts |
| Fruit | Quick to eat |
| Yogurt | Light |
| Eggs | Sometimes warm |
NDB vs. First Meal
| Aspect | NDB | First Meal |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Before/at Call | 6h after Call |
| Type | Light | Full |
| Obligation | Goodwill | Contractual |
| Credit | None | As Meal Break |
Why NDB?
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Early Calls | 5am, 6am start |
| Crew Morale | Satisfied employees |
| Energy | Before hard work |
| Flexibility | No meal shift |
Typical Situations
| Scenario | Description |
|---|---|
| Dawn Shoots | Sunrise filming |
| Location | Remote sets |
| Long Days | 12+ hour days |
| Early Call | Pre-light required |
Craft Service vs. NDB
| Aspect | Craft Service | NDB |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | All day | Mornings only |
| Type | Snacks | Breakfast |
| Function | Continuous | Specific early |
| Budget | Separate | Part of Catering |
Production Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Offer Quality | Crew morale |
| Start Promptly | Respect time |
| Vary Offerings | Not the same every day |
| Communicate Clearly | In the callsheet |
Callsheet Entry
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| NDB | "NDB available 5:30am" |
| Call Time | "General Call: 6:00am" |
| First Meal | "Lunch: 12:00pm" |
| Note | "NDB at Basecamp" |
Budget Aspects
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | $3-8 per person |
| ROI | Crew satisfaction |
| Comparison | Cheaper than Meal Penalty |
| Scaling | By crew size |
Location Specifics
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| Remote | Early delivery |
| Limited Space | Portable setup |
| No Kitchen | Pre-packaged |
| Studio | Commissary use |
International Variations
| Region | Practice |
|---|---|
| USA | NDB standard |
| UK | "Walking Breakfast" |
| Germany | Breakfast buffet |
| Australia | Similar to US |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Avoidance |
|---|---|
| Insufficient Quantity | Plan for crew size |
| Late Availability | Ready before call |
| No Options | Consider dietary needs |
| Poor Placement | Set up accessibly |
Communication
| To Whom | What |
|---|---|
| Catering | NDB time, quantity |
| 2nd AD | Callsheet entry |
| Crew | Location, availability |
| Locations | Early morning access |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Always Offer | For early calls |
| Quality Matters | Not just donuts |
| Timely Start | 30 min before call |
| Document Everything | For budget tracking |
Today
NDB is a standard element of professional film productions with early call times. As "non-deductible," it doesn't count towards mandatory meal breaks but still allows for crew provision during early starts. Investing in good NDB pays off through improved crew morale and avoidance of meal penalties.