In the fast-paced world of film and television production, long hours and unpredictable schedules are often seen as part of the job. But when crew members are expected to be “on call” or on stand-by without compensation, it’s not just unfair—it may be illegal.
If you’ve worked in the production industry and were required to remain available or on location without pay, you may have a valid wage-and-hour claim under California labor law. At PLBH, we help employees assert their rights and recover unpaid wages for stand-by time that should have been compensated.
What Is Stand-By Time?
Stand-by time—sometimes called on-call time—refers to periods when an employee is not actively working but is still expected to be available and ready to begin work at a moment’s notice. In the entertainment industry, this might look like:
- Waiting on set between lighting setups or scene resets
- Being required to stay in a designated holding area or base camp
- Remaining in costume or makeup while off camera
- Being on call overnight at a hotel or production facility
The key question is: Were you free to use that time as you wished, or was your freedom significantly restricted? If you weren’t free to leave, or your time was controlled by the production, California law may require that you be paid.
When Must Stand-By Time Be Paid?
Under California law—and reinforced by the state’s Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders—employees must be paid for all hours during which they are subject to the control of the employer, even if they are not actively performing duties.
Factors that can indicate compensable stand-by time include:
- Restrictions on your location (e.g., must remain on set or at a specific location)
- Requirements to respond immediately to calls or direction
- Limitations on engaging in personal activities
- Disciplinary threats for leaving without permission
In many cases, production crews, background actors, and assistants are told to “hang tight” for hours while shooting is delayed—but if they are not released from duty, that time may legally count as work time.
Common Violations in Film and TV Productions
Production companies often try to sidestep wage-and-hour obligations by treating stand-by time as unpaid breaks or “industry standard.” However, common violations include:
- Failing to pay crew for hours spent waiting in costume or makeup
- Denying pay for extended periods between camera setups or technical delays
- Misclassifying workers as independent contractors to avoid paying for wait time
- Offering flat day rates that don’t reflect all hours worked—including stand-by
These practices violate not only California’s minimum wage and overtime laws, but also the fundamental right to be paid for all time worked.
How to Build Your Case
If you suspect your unpaid stand-by time qualifies for compensation, it’s important to act quickly and gather documentation. Here’s how to start:
- Keep detailed records of your call times, wrap times, and hours spent waiting on set or nearby
- Save communications (emails, text messages, call sheets) showing employer expectations
- Talk to coworkers who experienced the same treatment—they may help support a class action claim
- Document lost wages, especially if you consistently worked more than eight hours per day without appropriate compensation
An employment attorney at PLBH can help you determine whether your claim qualifies, calculate the wages owed, and file a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner or pursue a lawsuit for damages.
You Deserve Compensation for Every Hour You Worked
In an industry known for hustle and hustle culture, it’s easy to feel pressured to “take one for the team” when delays and downtime happen. But when your employer controls your time, you’re working—and you deserve to be paid for it.
If you’ve experienced unpaid stand-by time on set, contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 today for a confidential case review. We’re here to help you reclaim the wages you earned.