The Day Out Of Days (DOOD) is a critical document for managing your production's most expensive assets: the cast. It provides a snapshot of when every actor is needed on set and helps the production office avoid costly errors, such as an actor leaving town on a day they are required for filming.
Understanding DOOD Abbreviations
Every DOOD uses standard abbreviations to communicate an actor's status for any given shoot day:
- SW (Start Work): The first day an actor is on the project.
- W (Work): A scheduled work day for the actor.
- H (Hold): A day when an actor is not scheduled to work but is still under contract and usually being paid.
- D (Drop): When a day player is finished but will return later as a weekly player.
- PU (Pick Up): When a day player returns as a weekly player.
- WF (Work Finish): The actor's final day on the production.
- SWF (Start/Work/Finish): Used when a player works for only one day.
Specialized DOOD Reports
In addition to the cast DOOD, production teams often create specialized reports to track other tightly scheduled elements, such as:
- Specialty Vehicles: Tracking picture cars and logistical transport.
- Animals: Coordinating with handlers and wranglers.
- Stunts: Managing the availability of stunt coordinators and performers.
Managing Your Budget Through Scheduling
The DOOD report allows the Unit Production Manager (UPM) and Line Producer to see how many "hold" days are being paid. Reducing the number of hold days by restructuring the schedule can lead to significant cost savings, especially on larger productions where daily talent rates are high.
All of these forms—the shooting schedule, the one-line schedule, and the DOOD—are generated from the script breakdown sheet. The breakdown is the source of truth that ensures everyone knows where to be and what to expect on every day of the shoot.