As a Technical Director, I have been a part of many production budget discussions and have most always talked about being over budget. As we all know, aside from the equipment, the labor is the next big expense for a show budget.
Shows that load in on a Sunday, and have a tight budget really do not help themselves by loading in on a Sunday. Depending on where in the country your program is, and what vendor you are using, most of your crew including the stagehands will be on Overtime or Double time depending on what crew position they are.
Assuming the program has a fair amount of production value, and that show elements such as audio and lighting are flown, the “in house” rigging company would most always be on Double time.
The program would save a large amount of money by pushing back the time line by a day and load in on a Monday. Everyone would be on straight time. The money saved could be put back into the production budget to provide bigger and better show elements making that tight budget, not so tight.
Not all companies require overtime and double time on Sundays, but most do. Always check to see the labor rules before signing with any company.
