South Africa | October 2026
These terms apply to Assistant Director bookings arranged through Us Agency. Please read them together with the relevant Booking Sheet.
Everything is possible with clear communication.
1. PURPOSE AND APPLICATION
These Terms & Conditions apply to Assistant Director bookings arranged through Us Agency (“Us”) for production companies, producers, agencies and other clients (“Production”). They cover commercials, television, feature films, series, drama, music videos, digital content, documentaries, corporate work and other production formats, subject to the working conditions that apply to each job.
Confirming a booking means Production accepts these Terms & Conditions and the relevant Booking Sheet. Any exception must be agreed in writing through Us before the booking is confirmed. Unless a separate written agreement says otherwise, Production remains responsible for production operations, scheduling, on-set management, safe working conditions and its legal obligations.
2. BOOKING PROCESS
All booking requests are subject to availability and must be confirmed in writing by Us. A pencil is provisional and is not a confirmed booking. Production must make clear whether a request is a pencil or confirmation. Unless agreed otherwise, a pencil expires if it has not been confirmed within 10 working days of the initial request.
Written confirmation, including confirmation by email, creates a binding booking subject to these cancellation terms. Production should confirm only once its client has confirmed the job, unless another arrangement has been agreed in writing.
The Booking Sheet records the Assistant Director, role, dates, rates, hours, locations, prep days and any special conditions. Any change after confirmation must be agreed in writing through Us. Additional prep, recces, pre-light, rigging, travel, shoot days, overtime, gear or services may be charged separately.
An Assistant Director may not be confirmed on overlapping productions unless both productions give written permission.
3. BOOKINGS THROUGH US
Assistant Directors represented by Us, or first introduced to Production by Us, must be booked through the agency. Production may not bypass Us by directly engaging or rebooking them for later projects without Us’s prior written consent. Enquiries, confirmations, changes and related arrangements must be handled through Us, subject to the relevant representation agreement and applicable law.
4. BOOKING FEES AND DEALS
Us charges the following booking fees:
Standard booking: R250 excluding VAT.
Feature booking: R300 excluding VAT.
After-hours booking: R350 excluding VAT. This fee applies from 17:00 to 08:30, and on Saturdays, Sundays and South African public holidays.
Fees apply per relevant booking. If a production is split into separate booking periods, another fee may apply unless agreed otherwise in writing before confirmation. Any special charges should be discussed in advance.
Any discounted rate, deal or non-standard payment arrangement must be requested and accepted by Us and the Assistant Director before confirmation. Either may decline a proposed deal. Only one deal structure applies to a job unless another arrangement is approved in writing.
Any gear discount linked to a deal must be agreed in advance. Related crew and equipment invoices fall under the seven-day deal payment terms. Production must tell Us about split invoices or special invoicing requirements before confirmation. Additional booking or administration charges may apply only if agreed beforehand.
5. PAYMENT TERMS
5.1 Deal bookings
Payment is due within 7 calendar days of Production receiving the invoice, which must reflect the agreed rates, working days, overtime and any other applicable charges recorded for the booking. Any query, correction or adjustment must be raised and resolved, and a corrected invoice issued where necessary, within the same 7-calendar-day period.
If payment is late, the booking may revert to its standard non-deal value and a R500 administration fee per job may apply, subject to the agreed terms and applicable law.
5.2 Standard bookings
Payment is due within 20 calendar days of Production receiving the invoice, which must reflect the agreed rates, working days, overtime and any other applicable charges recorded for the booking. Any query, correction or adjustment must be raised and resolved, and a corrected invoice issued where necessary, within the same 20-calendar-day period.
A late-payment fee of 10% per invoice may apply, subject to the agreed terms and applicable law.
5.3 Tax and statutory deductions
PAYE and other statutory deductions must be handled by the party responsible under South African law and the actual working arrangement. Booking through Us alone does not determine an Assistant Director’s tax or employment status. Any payroll responsibilities undertaken by Us must be documented separately in writing.
6. WORKING GUIDELINES AND OVERTIME
Where applicable, Us uses the Commercial Producers Association of South Africa (CPASA) Crew Working Guidelines as a reference. The production category, Booking Sheet and applicable legislation must be considered together. Any permitted departure from the relevant guidelines must be recorded in writing before confirmation.
On the final or only shoot day, hours worked after midnight may be charged at 4 x the hourly rate. This is to deter having crew work dangerously long hours.
6.1 Commercials, Music Videos, Digital Content, Documentaries and Corporate Productions
For applicable commercial bookings, the usual working day is 10 hours, including meals. Unless the relevant category provides otherwise, the first four overtime hours are paid at 1.5 times the pro-rata hourly rate, with further overtime paid at double time.
6.2 Long-form work: Features and Series
Long-form features and series may have separate conditions. These must be identified before confirmation. Under the referenced long-form conditions, overtime at 1.5 times the hourly rate begins after 12 hours, except for production personnel excluded by those conditions. The applicable daily rate and treatment of Sundays, public holidays and overtime must be agreed before confirmation.
Under the referenced long-form conditions, if a 40-minute sit-down lunch is not provided, the day may be treated as continuous, with overtime at 1.5 times the hourly rate after 10.5 hours.
A minimum 10-hour turnaround applies, with each lost hour or part-hour paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate. Travel time to and from locations more than 55 km from the CTICC is included in hours worked. The seventh consecutive working day is paid at double the daily rate.
Under the referenced feature conditions, daily crew means crew engaged for fewer than six consecutive days. The daily rate must be agreed in advance. Those conditions provide for no Sunday or public-holiday premium for daily crew, a 12-hour day before overtime unless a continuous day applies, and a 1.5-times daily-rate premium for the first night of a night shoot. These feature rules apply only when confirmed for the particular booking.
7. PREMIUM DAYS, NIGHT SHOOTS AND EXTENDED DAYS
Where the applicable working conditions provide for it, a premium day includes a Sunday, public holiday or the first night of a night shoot. The usual premium is 1.5 times the standard daily rate. Overtime on a premium day is calculated using the applicable premium rate.
A premium may also apply after six consecutive shooting days until a rest day is provided, subject to the relevant rules. Public holidays are those recognised under South African law, including any additional day officially declared by government.
A night shoot generally has a call time of 15:00 or later. A call between 12:00 and 15:00 may also be treated as a night shoot if filming continues after midnight. Production must identify night work when confirming the booking. A call before 03:30 is treated as a premium day under the referenced rules, and Production must notify Us at least 48 hours beforehand.
An extended day is a standard shoot day exceeding 14 hours. If an extended day is planned, Production must notify Us and the Assistant Director at least three working days before the first shoot day and confirm the applicable rates and arrangements.
Any job exceeding 17hrs will be billed at 4 x the hourly rate. This will start from 18hrs onward. This is to deter having crew work dangerously long hours.
Production should plan schedules responsibly and allow reasonable time before the next call. Nothing in these terms authorises unsafe working hours or overrides applicable law.
8. TURNAROUND AND REST
For applicable commercial bookings, the standard turnaround is 10 hours between wrap, technical wrap or return to base, as relevant, and the next call.
If this period is shortened, the first two lost hours are charged at the hourly rate, the next two at double time and further lost hours at triple time.
A reduced turnaround immediately before the first shoot day—including on prep, pre-rig, pre-light or recce—can be charged only if Production approved it before the shortened rest was worked. Turnaround is not charged on other prep days under the referenced rules.
The referenced working rules also state that crew must receive at least six hours’ rest. The 10-hour turnaround standard and all safety and legal requirements must be observed; a penalty is not permission to require unsafe rest periods.
9. SPLIT SHIFTS
Production should check the Assistant Director’s preference before arranging a split shift, as some Assistant Directors may prefer not to work one.
Any split-shift arrangement should be discussed and confirmed in writing before the booking. The detailed application of travel-distance and rest-period rules must be checked against the current applicable CPA guidelines before being relied on.
10. TRAVEL, AWAY SHOOTS AND INTERNATIONAL WORK
10.1 Travel days
A travel day is one designated by Production, normally involving no more than 10 hours of travel. Under the referenced rules, it is paid at half the standard daily rate.
10.2 Filming on a travel day
If filming takes place at any point on a designated travel day, it is not treated as travel- only. Where a full shoot day is worked, the applicable full shoot-day rate applies.
10.3 Travel floats and expenses
Production must arrange travel floats and agreed expenses before departure. Floats must be available in cash at the production company or paid by EFT at least 48 hours before travel.
10.4 Accommodation
Accommodation must be appropriate to the Assistant Director’s role and circumstances. Heads of department must have a room of their own. If other crew share accommodation, each must have a separate bed and access to a bathroom with a door; open-plan bathroom arrangements are not acceptable under the referenced rules.
10.5 Per Diem and Subsistence Allowance
Assistant Directors qualify for Per Diems on away shoots: R220 per day when all meals are provided, R320 per day when one meal is provided, and an additional R100 for each meal not provided, subject to confirmation with production..
The applicable allowance must be confirmed before booking. Any tax treatment must comply with current SARS requirements and South African law.
10.6 International work
Productions taking place on another continent are subject to international rates agreed before booking. A foreign-exchange surcharge might be added to the total statement. International travel will be booked as a full day and relevant overtime might be added pending the extent of the travel required.
International rates, travel costs, accommodation, per diems and other expenses must be confirmed in advance.
10.7 Personal vehicles and allowances
If Production asks an Assistant Director to use a personal vehicle for work, mileage is payable at the applicable SARS-prescribed rate, including fuel, unless a different rate is agreed in writing. Per diems, mileage, travel costs and telephone allowances should be agreed beforehand where relevant.
11. PREP, RECCES AND ADDITIONAL WORKING DAYS
11.1 Prep and recce rates
Unless otherwise agreed, the referenced working rules provide half the standard daily rate for up to five working hours on a gear check, pre-light, pre-rig/de-rig or technical recce, excluding meal breaks.
Work exceeding five but remaining under 10 hours is paid pro rata at the standard daily rate. More than 10 hours attracts applicable overtime, and premium-day rates apply where relevant.
A technical recce of up to five hours is charged at the half-day rate under those rules. If Production confirms the recce less than 24 hours beforehand, an hourly pro-rata rate may apply if the Assistant Director has not lost other work. The type of day, anticipated hours and payment basis must be agreed beforehand. Additional hours or duties may incur extra charges.
11.2 Recommended prep time
For planning, Us recommends:
One prep day for a one- or two-day shoot.
Two prep days for a three- or four-day shoot.
And at least three prep days for a shoot of five days or longer.
The final allocation should reflect the production’s scale, schedule and complexity. A technical recce or tech scout is a separate working day and should not replace dedicated 1st AD prep. Prep and recce days must be agreed and recorded on the Booking Sheet.
11.3 Additional Assistant Director support
Us may recommend additional Assistant Director support for productions with more than 40 crew, more than 20 cast, two or more locations or company moves per shooting day, or requirements involving stunts, children, animals, vehicles, water, firearms, special effects, large crowds, multiple units, substantial VFX, difficult locations, international travel or complex schedules.
These are indicators rather than a closed list; smaller productions may also need extra support.
Us may recommend a 2nd AD, 3rd AD or more preparation time. Production remains responsible for final staffing, scheduling and safety decisions, and agreed arrangements must be recorded in writing.
Scripts and boards should ideally be supplied at least 48 hours before prep begins to support accurate scheduling and breakdowns.
12. WEATHER DAYS
A weather day occurs when weather prevents completion of a scheduled shoot. Production may schedule the replacement day at the end of the original shooting period or at a later agreed time.
The new date must be discussed with Us and confirmed with the affected Assistant Director. The applicable rate and any cancellation or postponement payment are determined by the booking terms and relevant working rules.
13. CANCELLATIONS
A confirmed booking is binding and may be subject to cancellation charges. The schedules below reflect the supplied working rules and must be read alongside any written job-specific agreement.
13.1 Cancellation within five working days
If a confirmed booking is cancelled within five working days (Monday to Saturday) of the start of the confirmed work, the referenced schedule is:
100% of the day rate for days one and two.
50% for days three to five.
25% for days six and seven.
13.2 24-Hour confirm-or-release bookings
For an Assistant Director on a 24-hour confirm-or-release arrangement, the referenced schedule is:
100% for days one to three.
50% for days four to six.
25% for days seven to ten.
If notice is issued within 48 hours of prep or shooting, confirmation or release must be given within five hours. The applicable cancellation rules may apply whichever party issues the notice.
Cancellation charges do not apply under the referenced rules to days when the Assistant Director is confirmed and working on another production during the cancellation period.
The 24-hour confirm-or-release provisions also state that no cancellation fee is payable if cancellation occurs at least 21 consecutive days before the shoot begins. How this exception applies must be read with the relevant booking-specific terms.
13.3 Assistant Director withdrawal and other exceptions
If a confirmed Assistant Director withdraws, the referenced rules provide for cancellation costs payable to Production on the same basis as the 24-hour confirm-or-release schedule unless otherwise negotiated.
Cancellation of a Sunday or public-holiday shoot is charged at the standard day rate under the referenced rules; a cancelled night shoot attracts the applicable premium day rate.
The referenced CPA provisions may exclude cancellation remuneration if an Assistant Director is dismissed after work begins for negligence or serious unprofessional conduct, or leaves the job after it starts. Any family-responsibility or other stated exception must be assessed against the applicable published rules and circumstances.
14. POSTPONEMENTS
A postponement is assessed separately from a cancellation. Under the referenced working rules, a postponed job does not ordinarily attract cancellation remuneration unless an Assistant Director was confirmed on 24 hours’ notice and cannot work the replacement dates, or another cancellation provision applies.
Under Us’s policy, replacement dates must be confirmed within 30 calendar days of postponement and the shoot must take place within 90 calendar days. A booking may generally be postponed once; a second postponement is permitted only in the force majeure circumstances agreed for the booking. Any exception must be recorded in writing through Us.
If an Assistant Director is unavailable for the revised dates, the applicable cancellation terms may apply. Work already performed during pre-production must also be considered. Revised dates and postponement arrangements must be confirmed in writing.
15. INSURANCE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
Assistant Directors should arrange appropriate medical and personal insurance, including cover for injury or loss of earnings that they consider necessary. Unless agreed otherwise in writing, each Assistant Director is responsible for their own equipment, belongings and vehicles.
If Production requires insurance for particular equipment, vehicles or other property, the cover and any cost must be agreed before confirmation. Production should disclose any relevant insurance it already carries. Nothing in this clause excludes a liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
16. PRODUCTION AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Production must provide accurate details of the role, schedule, call times, locations, travel and any changes that may affect a booking. Production is responsible for appropriate working conditions, permits, risk management, safe transport and compliance with applicable law and production requirements.
Assistant Directors should familiarise themselves with the relevant working rules, call- sheet conditions and production code of conduct. Any required timesheets must be completed and sent to Production and Us as applicable.
17. BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONTENT AND USAGE
Production must tell Us in advance if an Assistant Director may appear in behind-the- scenes footage, stills, promotional content, social media, making-of material or other recordings outside the normal requirements of the role.
Before filming or use, Us may negotiate the proposed usage on the Assistant Director’s behalf, including purpose, platforms, territory, duration, paid advertising, credit, additional compensation and any required consent or release.
A booking alone does not give Production unrestricted permission to use an Assistant Director’s image, voice, likeness or contribution. Production must secure the necessary permissions before use.
18. EVENTS OUTSIDE REASONABLE CONTROL
If an event outside a party’s reasonable control, including severe weather, an emergency or government restriction, prevents or materially affects a booking, the affected party must notify the others as soon as reasonably possible.
The parties should discuss whether to proceed, reschedule, postpone or cancel. Any payment or cancellation consequence is governed by these terms, the applicable working rules and the law.
19. DISPUTES, LAW AND ACCEPTANCE
The parties should first try to resolve disputes through written communication and good- faith discussion. These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any unresolved dispute may be referred to a competent South African court, subject to applicable law.
These Terms & Conditions and the relevant Booking Sheet form the booking agreement and must be read together. By confirming the booking, Production accepts both. Any agreed variation must be documented in writing before confirmation where permitted. Nothing here excludes or limits any right or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
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