Four day film shoot at a farmhouse with 31 people: how many porta potties, and how do we keep them out of the shot?

Question

A friend's small film is shooting four days at a rented farmhouse next month and somehow I ended up with logistics. Call times run about 12 hours, roughly 25 crew plus 6 cast, and the owner was clear that nobody uses the house bathrooms. Catered lunch every day and a coffee table running nonstop.

My guess is two [standard units](https://portapotty.forum/glossary/standard-unit/) plus a handwash station by the food, and maybe a [deluxe unit](https://portapotty.forum/glossary/deluxe-unit/) for cast since they're in wardrobe and makeup. Is that enough for 31 people on 12 hour days, or are we out of paper and full by day three?

Bigger headache is placement. The director wants wide shots of the yard and barn, so nothing can be visible. Only hidden spot is behind the barn, maybe 150 feet off the gravel drive, on grass. Can the truck service them back there, and will they move a unit mid shoot if a scene needs that angle?

Hector V. · Answer

Two standard units and one handwash station are not enough for your 31-person, 12-hour film shoot. You need three standard units and one ADA-compliant unit to meet the OSHA 1926.51 requirement for 20 to 199 workers, which calls for one toilet per 40 workers. The ADA 5 percent cluster rule also requires at least one accessible unit per cluster. A deluxe unit for the cast is a good idea to accommodate wardrobe changes, but it does not replace the need for the ADA-compliant unit.

Placement behind the barn is manageable. The service truck can access a unit on grass 150 feet from the drive, provided the ground is firm and level. Advise the rental company about the access path. They will not typically move a unit mid-shoot unless arranged and paid for as a relocation service. To keep units out of the shot, confirm the exact camera angles with the director and place the cluster in the agreed blind spot. Staking the units is essential to prevent tipping.

For a four-day shoot with catered food and coffee, you need service after two days, not weekly. The high use and liquid intake will fill the tanks faster. Specify a mid-shoot service visit when you book. The cost is driven by the number of units, the service frequency, and the delivery and access difficulty.

Four day film shoot at a farmhouse with 31 people: how many porta potties, and how do we keep them out of the shot?

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