Film Basecamp Setup Guide 2026

Every film production, from indie features to major studio blockbusters, relies on a well-organized basecamp as its operational nerve center. A properly planned basecamp keeps talent comfortable, departments efficient, and production running smoothly. This guide covers everything production coordinators need to know about planning and setting up a professional film basecamp.

Quick Answer: Film Basecamp Setup

Fleet Size: 5-10 trailers (indie) to 30-50+ (studio features)

Space Needed: 1-2 acres (small) to 3-5+ acres (large productions)

Setup Time: Full day (dawn to evening) for trailer placement

Key Trailers: Star wagons, H/M/W, production office, honeywagons

Lead Time: 4-6 weeks for trailer reservations

Budget Range: See our star wagon cost guide for pricing

What is a Film Basecamp?

A film basecamp is the temporary headquarters for a production, typically positioned near but separate from the active filming location. It houses the entire supporting infrastructure needed to keep a production running:

Talent trailers and green rooms
Hair, makeup, and wardrobe departments
Production offices and video village
Catering and craft services
Crew rest areas and facilities
Equipment staging and storage

Basecamp Layout Planning

Site Selection Criteria

The ideal basecamp location balances several factors:

Proximity to Set: Close enough for quick talent calls, far enough to avoid camera/sound interference
Access: Easy entry/exit for large trailers and production vehicles
Surface: Level ground, preferably paved or gravel (not soft grass that damages easily)
Utilities: Access to power (or space for generators), water connections if available
Size: Adequate space for all required trailers plus maneuvering room

Layout Zones

Professional basecamps are organized into functional zones:

Typical Zone Layout

Talent Row: Star wagons and cast trailers, positioned for privacy and quick set access
H/M/W Area: Hair, makeup, wardrobe trailers clustered together for efficiency
Production Row: Production office, AD trailer, video village
Catering Zone: Catering truck, dining tent, craft services
Crew Area: Honeywagons, extras holding, crew parking
Support Zone: Generators, fuel, equipment staging

Essential Basecamp Trailers

Talent Trailers

Type	Size	For	Features
Star Wagon	40-53 ft	Lead actors	Private suite, full bath, lounge
Double Banger	40-48 ft	2 cast members	Two private rooms, shared facilities
Triple Banger	48-53 ft	3 cast members	Three private rooms
Four Banger	50-53 ft	4 cast members	Four compact rooms

Department Trailers

Hair & Makeup Trailer: Multiple styling stations, good lighting, ventilation
Wardrobe Trailer: Costume storage, fitting area, steamer hookups
Production Office: Desks, phones, printer/copier, meeting space
AD Trailer: Assistant directors' base of operations
Video Village Trailer: Monitors, director and client seating

Support Trailers

Honeywagon: Restroom facilities, sometimes with H/M stations - see our honeywagon rental guide
Catering Truck: Full kitchen for meal preparation
Grip/Electric Trailer: Equipment storage and staging
Camera Truck: Secure camera equipment storage

For detailed information on talent accommodations, see our talent trailer rental guide.

"A well-organized basecamp is invisible to the audience but essential to every frame on screen. We've coordinated basecamps for productions from 10-unit indie shoots to 60+ trailer studio features. The key is matching the right trailer mix to production needs."
— Ben Kiser, Co-Founder, EventFleetRV

Fleet Size by Production Type

Production Fleet Guidelines

Small Production (Indie Film, TV Episode)

5-10 trailers total
2-4 talent trailers, 1 H/M/W, 1 production, 1-2 honeywagons

Medium Production (TV Series, Mid-Budget Film)

15-25 trailers total
6-10 talent trailers, 2-3 H/M/W, 2 production, 3-4 honeywagons

Large Production (Studio Feature)

30-50+ trailers total
15-20 talent trailers, 4-6 H/M/W, 4+ production, 6+ honeywagons

Power and Utilities

Generator Requirements

Most basecamps run entirely on generator power:

Tow-behind generators: 50-300 kW units for trailer power
Distribution: Spider boxes and cable runs to each trailer
Placement: Generators positioned downwind, away from talent areas
Redundancy: Backup generator for critical systems

Typical Power Needs

Trailer Type	Power Draw
Star Wagon (with A/C)	30-50 amps
H/M/W Trailer	50-100 amps
Production Office	30-50 amps
Catering	100-200 amps

Water and Sanitation

Water truck: Fresh water delivery for trailers without hookups
Gray water: Collection and removal of sink/shower drainage
Honeywagon service: Regular pumping of restroom facilities
Portable sinks: Handwashing stations as required

Setup Timeline

Pre-Production

4-6 weeks out: Confirm trailer orders, reserve equipment
2-3 weeks out: Site survey, layout planning, utility arrangements
1 week out: Confirm delivery schedule, coordinate with locations

Setup Day

Dawn: Transportation team arrives, begins trailer placement
Morning: Trailers positioned according to layout plan
Midday: Power distribution, hookups, leveling
Afternoon: Interior staging, department setup
Evening: Final walkthrough, ready for Day 1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a film basecamp?

A film basecamp is the central hub for production operations, typically located near but separate from the actual filming location. It houses talent trailers, production offices, catering, hair/makeup/wardrobe departments, and crew facilities.

How many trailers do you need for a film production?

The number of trailers depends on production size. A typical feature film needs 15-30+ trailers including: star wagons for lead actors, double/triple bangers for supporting cast, honeywagons for H/M/W, production trailers, and crew facilities.

How much space is needed for a film basecamp?

A small production basecamp needs 1-2 acres, while large productions may require 3-5+ acres. Space requirements include trailer parking, vehicle access lanes, generator placement, catering tents, and parking for production vehicles.

Who manages basecamp on a film set?

The transportation department, led by the Transportation Coordinator and Transportation Captain, manages basecamp operations. They oversee trailer placement, vehicle logistics, and coordinate with locations department for site management.

Basecamp Best Practices

☑️ Create detailed layout diagrams before setup day
☑️ Position talent trailers for privacy (not facing crew areas)
☑️ Keep generators away from talent and quiet areas
☑️ Plan for weather—provide covered walkways if needed
☑️ Establish clear traffic patterns for vehicles
☑️ Mark fire lanes and emergency access routes
☑️ Post directional signage for departments
☑️ Have backup plans for trailer or generator failures

Coordinate Your Production Basecamp

A well-planned basecamp is invisible to the audience but essential to every frame on screen. Getting the right trailers, positioned properly, with reliable utilities and support services makes the difference between a smooth production day and constant interruptions.

Our team coordinates complete basecamp packages for productions of all sizes. From single-unit indie shoots to major studio features requiring 50+ trailers, we handle the logistics so you can focus on making great content.