# Lock-up

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/lock-up
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Spencer Kaufman, Storiara

> A lock-up is the job of keeping people from walking or driving into a shot or making noise during a take. The 1st AD calls 'lock it up' before rolling, production assistants hold their positions at doors, sidewalks, or hallways, and they release people once the AD calls cut.

## How a lock-up runs

The [key set PA](https://storiara.com/roles/key-set-production-assistant) assigns positions before the first rehearsal, often sketched on the back of the call sheet. On a sidewalk scene outside a diner, a fictional plan might be:

| Position | PA | Covers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| North corner, Ventura and Fulton | Chris | Pedestrians walking south |
| South driveway | Dana | Pedestrians and cars exiting lot |
| Diner back door | Sam | Kitchen staff and crew traffic |
| Base camp path | Lee | Crew walking to set |

The 1st AD's calls on the walkie follow a pattern: "Lock it up, we're going for picture." Each PA answers "Locked" or reports a problem ("Hold on the north corner, stroller coming"). When cut is called: "Cut. Release." PAs let people through, and repeat the cycle for the next take.

## Scheduling and the lock-up

Lock-ups affect how long a location takes. A busy commercial street at lunch hour means more interruptions and slower takes than the same street at 9:00A. When an AD estimates how many setups fit before lunch at a practical location, experience with the street's traffic matters as much as the [page count](https://storiara.com/glossary/page-count).

The number of PAs also sets limits. With four PAs, you can hold four access points. If the shot is a wide that sees a whole block, the location manager may need a permit condition for intermittent traffic control and police or authorized personnel to hold cars. That goes into the [film permit](https://storiara.com/glossary/film-permit) and the cost report.

## Mistakes and friction

Being rude to the public is the fastest way to lose a location. Ask, explain it's about a minute, thank people. A neighbor who gets shouted at can call the film office and cost the production its next permit.

Another common mistake is locking up too early. If a PA holds pedestrians while camera is still adjusting focus, people wait for several minutes and eventually walk through anyway. Wait for the AD's call.

Crew are part of the lock-up too. A grip crossing behind camera during a take is still a ruined take. Lock-ups sit alongside the [location lockdown](https://storiara.com/glossary/location-lockdown), which controls the location perimeter for the whole day, and walkie discipline on the right [channels](https://storiara.com/glossary/walkie-channels).

## Frequently asked questions

### What does 'lock it up' mean on a film set?

It's the call to hold all traffic and movement near set because a take is about to start. PAs stop pedestrians and crew from walking through and keep noise down until 'cut'.

### Can a PA stop members of the public on a sidewalk?

PAs can ask people to wait, but they generally can't force anyone. Stopping road traffic usually requires police or authorized officers under the film permit. Check the permit conditions for your city.

### What is the difference between a lock-up and a location lockdown?

A lock-up is a moment-to-moment hold during takes. A location lockdown is securing a location's perimeter and access for the whole time the company is there.