BECTU HETV Rates Guide

For UK film and TV crew · Updated June 2026

This guide covers the most common BECTU HETV and Feature Film penalties and uplifts, so you can check your timesheet against your agreement. Each topic links to a detailed breakdown. For the fastest answer, try the broken turnaround calculator.

Penalties and uplifts

Calculator

Broken Turnaround

Wrapped late and called back early? If your gap is under 11 hours, you are owed a penalty. Calculate it instantly.

Guide

6th Day Pay

Your sixth and seventh days in a week attract enhanced rates under your agreement. Learn when it applies and how much extra you earn.

Guide

Night Shoot Premium

Post-23:00 HETV pay is split into three buckets: ordinary OT at 1.5T, enhanced OT at 2T, and night work at 1T. Here is how each is calculated.

Guide

SCWD, SWD & CWD

Three day types with different hours for Feature Film and HETV. Understand which applies and how it affects your overtime and breaks.

What these agreements cover

BECTU (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union) negotiates rates and working conditions for UK film and TV crew. The HETV (High-End Television) agreement covers most UK drama productions. The Feature Film agreement covers cinema productions.

Both agreements set minimum rates, overtime thresholds, meal break rules, and penalties for short turnarounds and consecutive working days. Production can pay more, but they cannot pay less.

Why knowing the rules matters

Crew submit their own timesheets, so understanding what your agreement provides helps you log your days accurately and confirm that every uplift and penalty is included. Knowing the rules makes that check quick and reliable.

CineLog was built by a working Video Operator who got tired of manually checking every timesheet against the agreement. The app does the calculation so you don't have to.

Never miss a penalty again

CineLog tracks your hours and calculates every uplift and penalty automatically. Know what you are owed before you leave set.

Download CineLog