Actors often have unpredictable working hours that can vary greatly depending on the project they are working on. The number of hours an actor works in a day depends on several factors like the type of production, their role and scene schedule, location shoots, and more. While some actor jobs may only require 2-3 hours a day for minor roles, lead actors often end up working 12+ hour days during active filming periods. Understanding an actor’s potential working hours helps provide insight into the highly variable world of acting.
Typical Working Hours
Feature Films
For major feature films, actors can expect to work 10-14 hour days on average when the production is actively filming. The most demanding lead roles may have working days that extend to 16+ hours during intense shooting schedules. However, days with excessive hours past 12 are generally avoided due to union rules. Here are some typical working hours for actors on feature films:
| Working Hours | Description |
| 10-12 hours | Typical working day for lead and supporting actors during active filming |
| 12-14 hours | Long working days may occur during complex scenes or location shoots |
| 16+ hours | Extremely long days only happen in rare circumstances |
Television Shows
For television shows, actors tend to have slightly shorter working hours compared to feature films, averaging 8-12 hours per day. However, multi-camera sitcom shoots are unique with much longer filming days. Here are typical working hours for actors in different television productions:
| Production Type | Typical Working Hours |
| One-hour and half-hour dramas | 8-12 hours |
| Sitcoms (multi-camera) | 12-15 hours |
| Commercials | 4-8 hours |
As shown, television actors tend to have slightly shorter 10 hour average work days, except for in the unique case of multi-camera sitcom productions which can require longer 12-15 hour taping days.
Theater Productions
Stage actors have more consistency in their schedules with theater productions, generally working 6-8 hour days. An 8 hour day is typical for broadway musicals and more intensive theater rehearsals and performances. Regional, off-broadway, and touring shows may only require 6 hour work days in some cases. Here are typical working hours for theater actors:
| Theater Type | Typical Working Hours |
| Broadway | 8 hours |
| Off-Broadway | 6-8 hours |
| Regional Theater | 6-8 hours |
| Touring Productions | 6-8 hours |
The main advantage for stage actors is having a more predictable, consistent schedule compared to on-camera acting jobs. However, the hours are still full work days.
Key Factors Affecting Hours
There are several key factors that affect the number of hours actors work during productions which lead to the wide variability in schedules:
Role Type
Lead actors tend to work longer hours than supporting and minor roles. Main cast members are heavily involved throughout filming and are required on most shooting days. Supporting actors may only be needed for certain scenes. Day players in minor or one-scene roles will have very short working days.
Production Schedule
During intense filming periods, actors work longer hours on camera. Days may be shorter when only a few scenes are scheduled. Feature films have demanding production schedules requiring long hours. Television shoots progress slower with more manageable days.
Number of Scenes/Coverage
Scenes requiring extensive coverage like action sequences take much longer to film, extending actor’s time on set. Simple dialog scenes move faster. The number and complexity of an actor’s scheduled scenes impacts hours.
Location Shoots
Location filming adds more variables compared to stage shoots, often requiring earlier call times and longer hours. Actors should prepare for potentially long days when filming on location.
Night Shoots
Scenes filmed overnight tend to require longer hours. Actors need to adjust to working late into the evening and early morning.
So in summary, an actor’s daily working hours depends heavily on their role, the production schedule, scene requirements, locations, and other factors that vary between projects. Lead actors on intense, on-location film shoots end up working the longest days.
Maximum Working Hours
While actor’s hours are unpredictable, there are some maximum working hour guidelines that provide limitations and protection:
SAG-AFTRA Union Rules
The actor’s union SAG-AFTRA has established rules to limit excessive working hours and unsafe conditions. Their guidelines state actors should not work more than 12 hours straight without a meal break. Workdays should not exceed 14 total hours of work, excluding meal breaks. These union rules help prevent actor exploitation.
California Meal Break Laws
California labor laws, which cover most major Hollywood productions, require a meal break of at least 30 minutes for any shift over 5 hours. An additional meal break is required after 10 hours. Breaks help divide up long workdays.
Turnaround Time
An important union rule is the turnaround time, which means actors must have at least 12 hours rest between dismissing one day and having to return the next day. For example, if an actor worked until 11pm they could not be called back before 11am the next day.
While daily hours fluctuate, maximum working hour guidelines help ensure actors get proper breaks and rest between intensive working periods. However, exceeding these limits is still common during film crunch periods.
Factors Affecting Acting Schedules
Some additional considerations that shape an actor’s daily and weekly working schedules include:
Shooting Location
Shooting on location adds travel time to the workday and can extend hours. Studio shoots are more controlled.
Number of Scenes
Days are shorter for actors with fewer scheduled scenes. Those in the majority of scenes work longer.
Weekly Rest Rules
Most union rules require 1 day off per week after 6 consecutive days worked. This ensures actors get regular rest.
Filming Schedule Changes
Scene scheduling changes are common and can impact planned work hours. Actors must adapt to uncertainties.
Role Demands
Lead actors have more lines to memorize, rehearsals, wardrobe fittings, etc. That results in more hours.
Overall, the number of hours actors work per day and week can vary substantially based on the production. Their schedule is heavily influenced by their specific role demands, locations, scenes, and shooting schedules.
Average Weekly Hours
While we have looked at the average daily hours, what do actors work on a weekly basis? Typical average weekly hours include:
| Production | Average Weekly Hours |
| Feature films | 50-60 hours |
| TV dramas/comedies | 40-50 hours |
| Theater shows | 35-40 hours |
As shown, lead film actors can expect to work 50-60 hour average weeks during production. Television provides a slightly lighter weekly load around 40-50 hours. Theater actors get the most consistent 35-40 hour weeks. However, peak film shoot and tech rehearsal weeks can still exceed 70+ hours for extreme circumstances. While taxing, these intensive acting crunch periods are balanced by weeks with reduced hours.
Differences for Smaller Productions
The typical working hours described apply primarily to major film, TV, and theater productions. Smaller independent films and theater companies often have much lower budgets leading to condensed shooting schedules and longer hours. For example, an ultra low budget indie film may require all scenes be shot in just 2-3 weeks, compared to months for a studio film. The same amount of work squeezed into fewer days leads to more demanding hours for actors, often in the 70+ hour per week range. Still, the increased opportunity and experience these smaller passion projects offer aspiring actors make the intensity worthwhile. Just like other film crews, actors must power through the compressed schedules.
While demanding, most actors thrive under these tight-knit intense filming conditions. The faster momentum helps the performance and exhilaration being created. Regardless of budget size, actors across all levels of the industry must adapt to fluctuating schedules and challenging hours. It comes with the territory.
Hour Expectations for Actors
Given the complex factors that shape an actor’s working hours, what can performers expect to experience?
Unpredictability
The hours and schedules in acting are hugely variable with little consistency. Work demands can change daily and require constant flexibility.
Long Days
10-14 hour days are very common during active filming periods. Actors should expect and plan for prolonged days.
Early Call Times
Early morning call times before 5 or 6am are not unusual for shooting schedules, especially at remote locations.
Late Nights
Night shoots and working past midnight occur more often than people realize, throwing off sleep cycles.
Weekend Work
Most major productions shoot 6 days per week. Actors should anticipate regularly working weekends.
Ultimately actors can expect inconsistent, long hours that requires agility. But this is all part of the filmmaking process. Experienced actors actually appreciate these demanding periods as exciting and exhilarating. Shorter term intensity fuels great art.
Conclusion
In summary, the working hours required of actors varies substantially based on the unique needs of each production. Leading film actors work the longest days that often reach up to 14+ hours during intense shooting periods. Television provides slightly more manageable 8-12 hour days depending on the project. Theater actors have the most consistency with standard 6-8 hour days. While schedules fluctuate, union rules help protect actors from excessive continuous hours without breaks. Smaller independent films often require condensed filming with 70+ hour weeks. Regardless of the medium, all actors must adapt to dynamic, changing schedules and long erratic hours. But this flexibility and intensity ultimately enhances their passionate performances. The demanding hours come with the territory of creating great art.