Published: April 2, 2025 | Last Updated: April 11, 2025
CRAFT SERVICES DEFINITION & MEANING
Craft services—often called “crafty”—is the on-set department responsible for providing snacks, drinks, and basic supplies throughout the shooting day. Unlike catering, which delivers full meals at set times, crafty stays open and accessible to the crew at all hours. Its purpose is to keep energy up, morale high, and minor crises low.
Why craft services matter on a film set
As the old saying goes, an army marches on its stomach. A film crew is basically a small working army, so this saying applies to movie production as well.
Shooting days are long. Crews are on their feet for 12+ hours. Departments are stacked with physical, mental, and emotional demands.
Craft services exist to keep people going, providing hydration, quick calories, and a small moment to regroup between takes. They’re more than snacks. They’re infrastructure for stamina.
Crafty often doubles as first aid, emotional support, and gear station on low-budget shoots. A box of Advil or dry socks can be the difference between a miserable day and a manageable one.
What’s the difference between craft services and catering?
It’s simple:
- Catering = scheduled meals (breakfast, lunch, second meal)
- Craft services = available all day (coffee, snacks, water, basic tools)
Catering is contracted. Crafty is usually staffed by a single craft services provider or team that restocks throughout the day and keeps it clean. On larger union productions, these are separate departments. On indie shoots, the same person might be doing both.
What’s typically found at the crafty table? (Hint: It’s not just snacks!)
The setup varies by budget, but here’s what you’ll usually see:
- Water (still + sparkling)
- Coffee and tea station
- Granola bars, fruit, trail mix
- Vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly options
- Electrolyte packets, gum, mints
- Essential supplies: sunscreen, baby wipes, hand warmers, ibuprofen, pens
High-end sets may include smoothies, made-to-order snacks, or hot grab-and-go items. Low-budget crafty may just be bottled water and peanut butter crackers in a box. Either way, it’s crucial to crew wellbeing.
Union rules and pay tiers for craft services
In the U.S., craft services are usually covered under IATSE contracts. Union productions follow strict break rules and have budget tiers that affect pay. According to the IATSE Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, crafty rates increase with budget level:
- Tier 0: Ultra-low budgets under $2.75 million
- Tier 1: Up to $7.5 million
- Tier 2: Up to $11 million
- Tier 3: Up to $15 million
Union crafty workers often make between $200 and $350/day, depending on experience and region. They maintain health standards, manage inventory, and follow labor rules about food availability.
How to run a great crafty table
The best crafty setups aren’t just stocked—they’re tuned to crew habits.
A good crafty person tracks coffee use, rotates snacks to avoid sugar crashes, and keeps everything labeled and clean. They also plan for dietary needs, budget for ice, and manage waste so nothing becomes a distraction or a hazard on set.
In other words: they don’t just feed people. They keep production running smoothly under the radar.
Summing up
Craft services is a small department with an outsized impact. It feeds, hydrates, and supports every crew member through long hours and tough days. Whether you’re on a student short or a major feature, a good crafty table is one of the quiet engines that keeps production going.
Read Next: Below-the-line film set roles you should know about.
