Terminology Tuesday – DPU

Known as a Drop Pick-Up, this is a term that casting professionals and producers use when a production wants to work a day player, drop them for a certain amount of time, and then work them again later without paying for intervening work days. Certain rules must be in place for this.

If, at the time of original engagement, the day performer is given a firm pick-up date which is more than 14 calendar days after the close of his initial employment, compensation need not be paid for the intervening time.

Actors employed on a daily basis may be called back on a daily or a weekly basis with an “on or after” pick up date, allowing production a 24 hour leeway. Whether recalled as a day performer or as a weekly performer, only one such break in employment is allowed per production.

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