Last Updated 2 months ago
Definition
French hours refers to a shooting schedule in which the workday begins with a sit-down breakfast, followed by a continuous block of work with no formal meal break. The day typically consists of approximately one hour for breakfast and nine hours of uninterrupted shooting, for a total ten-hour day.
During French hours, food is provided throughout the day so crew members can eat while working rather than stopping for a scheduled lunch.
Origin of the Term
The term “French hours” comes from European, particularly French, production practices where long meal breaks were traditionally avoided in favor of shorter, continuous workdays. The idea was to maintain momentum and reduce downtime caused by stopping production entirely for meals.
While the practice is not exclusive to France, the name has stuck in film and television production to describe this specific scheduling structure.
Role of French Hours in Production Scheduling
French hours are a scheduling choice made by production, often in consultation with assistant directors and producers. They are typically used to streamline the day and avoid the logistical disruption of a full lunch break.
French hours are commonly chosen to:
Maintain shooting momentum
Avoid losing time to meal breaks
Simplify scheduling on short shoot days
Accommodate tight locations or permits
Reduce overtime costs
Because the day is continuous, setups and performances can flow without the interruption of a hard stop.
How a French Hours Day Works
A typical French hours day follows a predictable structure.
The crew arrives and has a sit-down breakfast.
Once work begins, shooting continues without a formal lunch break.
Hot food, snacks, and drinks are available throughout the day.
Crew members eat when time allows rather than all at once.
This structure requires departments to be self-managing, ensuring people eat while still keeping production moving.
French Hours vs Standard Shooting Days
French hours differ significantly from a standard production day.
A standard day includes a scheduled lunch break.
French hours eliminate the formal lunch break.
In a traditional schedule, lunch often occurs six hours after call time, stopping all work. With French hours, production continues, and food service is staggered.
Neither approach is inherently better. Each has advantages and trade-offs depending on the production’s needs.
Practical Advantages
French hours can offer real benefits under the right conditions.
Advantages include:
Less downtime
Faster overall pace
Shorter total day length
Reduced scheduling disruptions
Potential cost savings
For productions with limited time or small crews, French hours can be an efficient way to get more done without extending the workday.
Challenges and Drawbacks
Despite the efficiencies, French hours are not universally popular.
Common challenges include:
Difficulty finding time to eat
Uneven access to food across departments
Increased fatigue if breaks are not managed
Lower morale if poorly executed
Higher stress during intense shooting periods
Departments with continuous responsibilities, such as camera, sound, or AD teams, may struggle more to step away and eat.
Union and Regional Considerations
French hours are not permitted or are restricted in some jurisdictions and union agreements.
Important considerations include:
Union contract rules
Local labor laws
Meal penalty structures
Crew expectations and norms
In some regions, French hours require specific approval, waivers, or additional compensation. Productions must ensure compliance to avoid grievances or penalties.
Best Practices for French Hours
When French hours are used, execution matters.
Best practices include:
Providing high-quality, accessible food
Ensuring multiple food service windows
Encouraging departments to rotate breaks
Communicating the schedule clearly in advance
Monitoring crew fatigue
When handled poorly, French hours can feel exploitative. When handled well, they can feel efficient and manageable.
Common Misconceptions
French hours are often misunderstood when:
They are assumed to be shorter days automatically
They are used to push unrealistic workloads
Food quality is treated as secondary
They are imposed without crew input
French hours do not eliminate the need for care, planning, or respect for crew well-being.
Why French Hours Matter
French hours reflect how scheduling choices shape the lived experience of a shoot. They affect morale, energy, and productivity as much as they affect logistics.
French hours matter because they:
Change the rhythm of the workday
Affect crew health and satisfaction
Influence pacing and efficiency
Reflect production culture and priorities
Require thoughtful implementation
Understanding French hours helps crew members anticipate how a day will function and allows productions to choose scheduling structures intentionally rather than by habit. When used appropriately, French hours can be an effective tool. When misused, they quickly become a liability.
Related Terms
[Call Time] The time crew are required to report to set.
[Meal Break] A scheduled pause in production for eating.
[Overtime] Work hours that exceed standard contractual limits.
[Production Schedule] The planned timeline for shooting.
[Assistant Director (AD)] The department responsible for managing set logistics and time.