Last Updated 19 minutes ago
Filmmaking Dictionary: Number 1 / 1st Fix (First Fix Construction)
Definition
First fix is an early construction or installation stage completed before finishing work. In set construction, the term can describe underlying framing, supports and provision for services that must be in place before surfaces are closed or detailed.
Its exact meaning depends on the trade, region and production’s construction plan. It is especially familiar in British construction terminology. A crew should define the required work rather than assuming that every department uses the same boundary between first and second fix.
First Fix and Second Fix
The first-fix stage establishes work that later finishing depends on. Second fix generally concerns later fitting and finishing, although the division varies between carpentry, electrical installation and other trades.
A film set can also be built differently from a permanent room. Walls may need to move, sections may remain accessible for camera or lighting, and some features may be purely scenic. The construction drawings and department requirements determine what must actually be built.
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Why Early Coordination Matters
Once a surface is finished, adding a missing support or cable route can require opening it again. That creates extra work and can affect scenic finishes, dressing and the shooting schedule.
For example, a set includes a practical wall light. Before the wall is finished, the relevant departments agree on its position, support and service route. Construction provides the specified structure, while electrical work remains with the personnel responsible for that installation.
A Useful First-Fix Handoff
- Identify the drawings and revision being built.
- Confirm the work included in this stage.
- Check positions of openings, supports and agreed access.
- Coordinate requirements from lighting, camera and other departments.
- Record what is complete and what still needs approval or inspection.
The phrase ‘first fix complete’ should communicate a defined milestone. It should not conceal unfinished work that another department reasonably expects to be ready before it begins.
Common Misunderstandings
First fix does not mean the first repair to a damaged set, the first shooting unit or a camera department’s first setup. It is a construction-stage term. It also does not certify that a set is ready for occupancy, loading or filming; those checks depend on the completed work and production procedures.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does every film crew use this term?
No. Local terminology and department practices vary.
Is first fix always invisible in the finished set?
Much of it is concealed or supports later work, but the actual scope must be defined for the project.
Related Terms
Browse all terms starting with 1 or return to the filmmaking dictionary.