Productions are not required to feed us but often do. If they don’t, it is your responsibility to bring your own lunch, as there may be insufficient time or access to food at the location. Production is required to provide each of us with a chair and water.

“First Meal” is usually a 1-hour unpaid break.

If your lunch break, from break to resuming work is 30-59 minutes, it is a “paythrough lunch“.

A “rolling lunch” means there is not a scheduled meal break for everyone and Cast and Crew will be broken when they are not required on set.

“Plateau Continu”, “Ontario Hours” and “French Hours” are different names for the same thing – a maximum 11 hour work day which starts with EITHER a 1 hour paid meal break and access to continuing hot buffet for the remaining 10 hours OR starts with a 30 minute paythrough meal plus 2 x 15 minute meal breaks during the rest of the 11 hour day to access the continuing hot buffet.

Tip: Bring a food kit with snacks suitable for your dietary needs and preferences.

Rest periods or breaks for performers are required:

• During inclement weather: 10 minutes every 1 hour
• There are different rules for breaks for children of different ages. Note: All minors rules apply to all minors working on set, including in the background.
• Breaks do not include the length of time it takes to travel to and from Background Holding

• Bring two (head-to-toe) wardrobe choices: Wear one and bring the other.
• If you are asked to bring a 3^rd outfit, you will be compensated for each additional outfit over 2. See the IPA for current rates.
• If you are asked to bring a specialty outfit (e.g., tuxedo, ballgown), you will be compensated.
• There is no harm in being prepared by bringing additional outfits! However, you will only be compensated if you were asked to bring a third or more additional outfits.
• Ensure you follow any wardrobe notes carefully and avoid any colours or patterns that Production has specifically asked you not to wear or bring to set.
• If Wardrobe loans you an item, they may keep your voucher to ensure it is returned. They will expect the wardrobe item to be in the same condition as when you received it. Make sure you retrieve your voucher at the end of the day when you return the item.
• If you’re required to be in uncomfortable footwear on set, you are permitted to bring an extra pair of travel shoes to wear from Holding to Set. Keep comfortable shoes handy and easily accessible.

• There is a new voucher, the Green Voucher! It replaces the old blue, pink and yellow vouchers. It can be a paper copy or could be filled out digitally. The white voucher remains unchanged but can also be supplied digitally. (Quick Reference Guide)
• Your voucher could be green, digital or white.
• Smaller white vouchers are for background performers “outside the count.”
• (“The Count” is the minimum number of background performers required to be paid at full rates per day, not including Stand-Ins, Photodoubles or 2 Special Skills/SSE.
• The Count varies from Production to Production, according to the budget and option chosen by the production.
• Any member or non-member can work on a “white voucher” outside The Count, but the rates are lower. Jobs in The Count go first to suitable and available Full Members, then Apprentices, then ACTRA Additional Background Performers, then non-union folks, based on the needs of the production.
• To protect your privacy, keep your voucher details secure while on set. It contains your personal identification.
• Wait until you return the voucher at the end of the day to fill out your SIN.
• If wardrobe is keeping your voucher because they have loaned you a costume, ensure that they have it stored in a secure location. If it is visible, mention that it needs to be secured.

• If you were asked to bring three or more wardrobe choices, write the number of changes in the “Regular Wardrobe # of changes” box of your voucher.
• If you were asked to bring a specialty wardrobe item, make sure to note this in the “Specialty Wardrobe # of changes” box of your voucher. Use the Comments Section if you need more space.
• If you were asked to bring in a prop, vehicle, bike, musical instrument, or any other specialty item, make sure to note this on your voucher in the “Specialty Item/Car” box. Again, use the Comments Section if you need more space to detail specifics.
• If you were required to drive yourself to a location outside the Zone (40km from the ACTRA office), note your kilometres one way to set, double it, and write that in the mileage box. (some exceptions may apply)

• Take your time. Try not to feel pressured. Your voucher is your contract with the Production. Once you sign it, it means you agree to the information on the voucher. Ensure all information is entered correctly. Do not agree to, nor write, anything that is not accurate.
• Ensure the wrap time is accurate. Time spent waiting in the sign-out line is work time.
• Ensure your performance category is correct in the Category section of your voucher.
• If you have been upgraded on set, ensure this change is reflected on your voucher in the Upgrade box. If you have been given a contract for the upgrade, ensure it is filled out correctly and that the role is correct (e.g., restaurant patron).
• Lunch: “30-minute lunch”/“Paid Through lunch” or “Rolling lunch” will be noted at the top of the call sheet and should also be noted on your voucher.
• Meal penalty: if applicable, MP1 box or MP2 should be checked. The rules for when a meal penalty applies can be complicated.
• Leave the Agree or Disagree section to the very end.
• Disagreeing does not get you blacklisted from a production.
• If you are told something was agreed upon between Production and ACTRA, you can check Disagree and verify with ACTRA later.
• If you check “Disagree,” immediately email your agent and ACTRA Ottawa with the reason. This is important, as ACTRA may not receive vouchers from Production for some time, and there are time limits for disputes. Your agent should pursue the reasons for marking disagree immediately with Production.
• If given permission, take a photo of your voucher after completion. If pictures are not allowed, it is your right to maintain a separate written log that Production should sign if you request it.