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Action Vehicle Coordinator

UK department head for every vehicle seen on camera: script breakdown, casting/sourcing cars, continuity, logistics and on-set running. Also widely credited as Picture Vehicle Coordinator or Picture Car Coordinator.

Duties

• Breakdown script for all picture/action vehicles
• Cast vehicles with Director, PD and Costume where relevant
• Source/book from owners, clubs and specialist hire houses
• Plan doubles, continuity and block availability
• Arrange transport, low loaders, drivers and storage
• Prep livery, plates, ageing/cleaning with Art
• Run cars on set with ADs, Stunts, SFX and Grips
• Shut down department at wrap; return assets

Reports to

Production / Line Producer on deal; works to Director and PD creatively

Works with

ADs, Stunts, SFX, Grips, Art, Locations, Transport, Costume, Mechanics, Drivers

Career path

Action Vehicle Captain / Assistant Coordinator → Action Vehicle Coordinator

Day to day

Prep meetings and sourcing in prep; on shoot days get cars and drivers in early, brief 2nd AD, stand by for 1st AD, reset between takes, fuel/wash/prep after wrap.

Call times

Prep and workshop days often before general unit call. On shoot days Action Vehicle crews typically arrive early to position cars, brief drivers and liaise with 2nd AD / Locations. Night fuel, wash and prep after wrap are common — read the movement order against the call sheet.

What to wear

Workshop: overalls or workshop blacks, steel toe-caps, gloves, eye protection. On set: matte blacks, production-approved boots, radio, hi-vis when moving vehicles in public roads or unit base as briefed. Smart-casual for production meetings.

Tools & kit

Laptop; radio; basic comprehensive tool kit oversight; workshop and recovery contacts; deal/insurance paperwork.

Tips

Confirm title (Action Vehicle / Picture Vehicle / Picture Car Coordinator), agreement, budget band, prep/wrap, workshop access and insurance wording on the deal memo. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk Transport materials and your production. Work only with licensed armourers/stunts where vehicles are prepared for action.

Software

• Excel / Google Sheets vehicle breakdowns, continuity and schedules
• Scriptation / PDF sides for vehicle lists
• Photo libraries / Drive shared folders for casting cars
• Shared call sheets and movement orders
• Workshop job cards / service logs
• ChatGPT for period vehicle research drafts (Coordinator verify legality, insurance and continuity)

Related roles

Action Vehicle Captain, Picture Car Coordinator, On-Set Mechanic, Transport Captain

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