Legally mandated 30–60 minute meal break on set, interrupting the shoot day and scheduled as a fixed block in the production strip board.
Technical Details
The standard lunch break lasts 60 minutes on German productions, and 30 minutes for low-budget shoots under 500,000 Euros. For night shoots, the break is shifted accordingly by 12 hours. Catering must be available no later than 15 minutes after the break begins. Equipment is not dismantled during the break but secured under the supervision of a set runner. For exterior shoots, meals are provided via mobile catering trucks or nearby restaurants within a maximum walking distance of 10 minutes.
History & Development
In 1918, UFA was the first German film studio to introduce regulated breaks, initially only 20 minutes long. In 1952, the first collective bargaining agreement for film professionals established a 45-minute lunch break. Since 1974, the 60-minute rule has been the standard. The introduction of catering services revolutionized break organization in 1980 – prior to this, crew members brought their own food or sought out external eateries.
Practical Application in Film
On "Das Boot" (1981), Wolfgang Petersen organized 45-minute breaks in the cramped Bavaria Studios to maintain the claustrophobic atmosphere even during breaks. Tom Tykwer shortened breaks to 30 minutes for "Run Lola Run" (1998) to keep the crew's energy levels consistent. International co-productions must coordinate different break regulations – French crews insist on 90-minute breaks, while American teams often work with two 15-minute snack breaks instead of one long break.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike continuous catering (craft service), the lunch break actively interrupts the shooting process. Short drink breaks (5-10 minutes) do not legally replace it. For live broadcasts or time-critical shoots, staggered breaks are used, where teams take breaks in rotation. The American "working lunch" on set is not permitted in Germany due to working hour regulations.