In film production, DOOD is an acronym that stands for Day Out Of Days. It is a crucial scheduling report used by film crews to track the availability and work days of cast members and, sometimes, specific crew members or equipment.
Understanding Day Out Of Days (DOOD) in Film Production
A Day Out Of Days report is a detailed, grid-like document that visualizes when each actor or character is required on set throughout the entire production schedule. It's an essential tool for production management, enabling precise planning and cost control.
Purpose of a DOOD Report
The primary functions of a DOOD report include:
- Optimizing Schedules: It helps production teams schedule scenes efficiently by grouping shots that require the same actors on specific days, minimizing the time actors spend on set when not actively filming.
- Budget Management: By clearly outlining each actor's work days, travel days, and off days, it allows for accurate calculation of their compensation, per diems, and other related expenses, helping to prevent budget overages.
- Logistical Planning: It aids in coordinating travel, accommodation, and other logistical needs for actors, especially those traveling from different locations.
- Union Compliance: Ensures that productions adhere to union rules regarding work hours, breaks, and payment for talent.
Key Elements of a DOOD Report
A typical DOOD report is structured to provide a clear overview of a production's talent schedule. While formats can vary, common elements include:
- Character/Actor Name: Identifies the specific role and the actor playing it.
- Scene Numbers: Lists all scenes in which the character appears.
- Production Days: A timeline of the entire shooting schedule, usually day by day.
- Status Codes: A standardized set of codes to indicate an actor's status on any given day.
| Code | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| W | Work | The actor is working on set. |
| T | Travel | The actor is traveling to or from the production location. |
| P | Prep | The actor is involved in pre-production activities like fittings or rehearsals. |
| H | Hold | The actor is on call and paid, but not actively working or traveling. |
| S | Start | The actor's first day of work on the production. |
| E | End | The actor's last day of work on the production. |
| F | Finish | Indicates a final wrap for the actor, sometimes implying contract completion. |
| O | Off | A scheduled day off for the actor. |
How DOOD Impacts Production
The DOOD report is instrumental in maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness. For instance, if a principal actor is only required for scenes spread out over a few non-consecutive weeks, the DOOD report precisely identifies these specific days. This allows the production team to schedule other actors or scenes that don't involve that principal actor during their off-days, reducing "hold" days and associated costs. Without a detailed DOOD, productions risk paying actors for unnecessary idle time or facing logistical nightmares.
Who Uses DOOD Reports?
Several key roles within a film production rely heavily on DOOD reports:
- First Assistant Director (1st AD): Uses it for scheduling and blocking out the shooting days.
- Production Manager (PM): Uses it for budgeting and resource allocation.
- Line Producer: Oversees the entire budget and schedule, often making critical decisions based on the DOOD.
- Production Coordinator: Manages the logistics, including travel and accommodation.
- Casting Director: Consults the DOOD for actor availability during casting and scheduling auditions.
- Accounting Department: Uses it to verify payroll and expenses for talent.
Creating a DOOD Report
DOOD reports are typically generated from the Stripboard (the visual representation of a film's shooting schedule) or dedicated scheduling software. Modern film production software often automates the creation and updating of these reports, making the process more efficient and accurate.
For further reading on this topic, you can explore detailed guides on Day Out Of Days reports from industry resources like Wrapbook.
