Meal Penalty
A meal penalty is a fee paid by a production when meal breaks are not provided on time, compensating actors and crew for missed breaks during filming.
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
A Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a union contract that sets minimum pay, working conditions, and residual structures for union actors and crew in film and TV productions.
Non-Deductible Break (NDB)
A Non-Deductible Break (NDB) is a rest period during production that does not pause the working hours clock — meaning overtime and turnaround calculations continue to run during the break.
Forced Call
A Forced Call occurs when a production schedules cast or crew before their required rest period has elapsed, triggering mandatory penalty payments under union agreements.
Golden Time
Golden Time is the significantly elevated overtime pay rate triggered after an actor or crew member works beyond the maximum hours specified in their union contract.
Equity Waiver
An Equity Waiver is a special AEA permission allowing union members to perform in productions that cannot meet full Equity contract requirements — supporting small theaters and new work development.