Timeline breaking down each shooting day into scenes and setups — call times, duration, crew needs. Updated daily and distributed to the crew.
Production strip
The production strip — known in English-speaking countries as the Production Strip — is the daily tool of the Unit Production Managers and the Line Producer. It is a detailed timeline that breaks down each shooting day into its components: which scenes are being shot, in what order, how long each takes, which crew positions are needed, when breaks occur, where location changes take place.
On set, the production strip functions as a living document. In the morning, each department — camera, lighting, sound, costume, makeup — receives its printed or digital strip. Noted on it are: scene numbers, set requirements, actors, extras, vehicles, animals, special effects. The First Assistant Director works from this, driving the crew from setup to setup. Communication with the departments runs in parallel: How much longer do you need for the lighting setup? Can we prepare the next scene already? The strip is updated in real-time — if a scene is wrapped faster than planned, the next ones move up, breaks shift, crew are released earlier or later.
The preparation of a production strip begins in the post-production phase of the screenplay. The Production Manager numbers all scenes, estimates shooting duration, determines the type and scope of the required crew, and plans locations and their changes. Special requirements — stunts, VFX work, night shoots — massively influence the structure. A well-thought-out strip prevents costly mistakes: for example, an actor being released too early and still being needed later, or the lighting crew striking the set before the last shot is in the can.
In practice, it quickly becomes apparent that no production strip dictates the day precisely — it is a guide, not a command. Unexpected problems (weather, actor indisposition, technical failure) force replanning. Therefore, flexibility is built in: reserve scenes, flexible start times for departments, communication chains with minimal delays. Experienced Unit Production Managers prepare several versions — an optimistic version, a realistic one, a backup solution in case everything goes wrong. The strip is distributed around 6 PM the day before, so everyone has time to prepare.
The production strip is also a psychological tool: a clear, realistic strip gives the crew security, confidence that the day is manageable. A chaotic, unrealistic strip leads to frustration, overtime, and poorer quality. Therefore, the care taken in its creation is worthwhile — it is one of the few areas where real efficiency gains are possible.