The Dreaded Company Move: How to Make It Smoother in NYC

Real talk from a Location Manager who’s done this dance way too many times

If you’ve worked even one shoot day in New York, you know the phrase “company move” sends a chill down the spine of any AD, coordinator, or location manager.

The logistics are brutal. The clock is unforgiving. Traffic is a beast. And if it’s not planned right?
The entire day goes off the rails.

Here’s how to plan better, move smarter, and make the dreaded company move suck a whole lot less — from the POV of the team who has to physically make it happen.

🚛 First, What Is a Company Move?

A company move is when your entire production unit — crew, trucks, talent, gear — relocates from one shooting location to another during the same shoot day.

It’s not a bump to lunch. It’s a full reset. Which means:

• Loading out

• Navigating NYC traffic

• Re-parking trucks

• Rebuilding staging areas

• Restarting the day on a totally different block or borough

🧠 Why So Many Company Moves Go Sideways

Here’s what usually kills a company move:

• Unrealistic timing in the call sheet

• Locations that are too far apart

• Not pre-planning truck staging and parking hold zones

• Crew not being pre-briefed on where they’re going and who’s leading the move

• Confusion over bathroom access, crew meals, or load-in points

• And of course… New York traffic

✅ How to Set Up a Smooth Company Move (Location Manager Edition)

1. Lock Locations Early — and Think Logistically

Avoid choosing two locations based purely on aesthetics or creative.
Choose them based on distance, traffic patterns, and truck access.

Ask:

• Can we get trucks out of the first location quickly?

• Is the second location within 2 miles? (Longer = danger)

• Can we legally hold space for re-park in advance?

2. Build Buffer Time Into the Schedule (Then Add More)

The average NYC company move takes 60–90 minutes, minimum.
You need time for:

• Load out

• Travel

• Load in

• Reset

• Crew bathroom breaks

• Talent repositioning

If the call sheet says 45 minutes? You're lying to yourself.

3. Post No Parking Signage for Both Locations in Advance

Get the permit. Post early. Take photos.

Don’t just permit the main location.
Lock down your second location — and possibly a holding zone in between.

Parking chaos is the #1 reason company moves fall apart.

➡️ NYC MOFTB Parking Guidelines

4. Assign a Lead PA or Lockup Captain

Someone needs to own the move — usually a Parking PA Captain or LM assistant who:

• Knows where every truck goes

• Is in constant radio contact with production

• Has maps, contact sheets, and DOT permits printed

• Can troubleshoot in real time when a rental truck blocks your hero spot

5. Stage Trucks Smartly

Have a parking map ready with:

• Cube, genny, wardrobe, HMU, camera trucks — in order of priority

• Plan for curb space, not just proximity

• Consider exit angles — some trucks can't turn in tight alleys or dead ends

And never assume street parking will be open.
Assume it’ll be taken. Have a backup. Always.

6. Prep Crew with Maps and Movement Plans

Drop pins. Use Google Maps. Have QR codes in the call sheet.

Every department should know:

• Where they’re going

• Where their vehicle parks

• Where crafty/restrooms are at the next location

• Who they check in with on arrival

The best moves feel choreographed. Not improvised.

7. Feed Crew After the Move (Not During)

Don’t try to move and serve lunch at the same time. You’ll lose crew to food lines, parking chaos, and unanswered radios.

Pro move: Schedule lunch immediately after landing at the second location. It gives departments time to reset before camera’s back up.

8. Scout the Move Like a Scene

During your tech scout or locations walk, physically test the route between sites.
Look at:

• Street widths

• One-ways

• Loading zones

• Construction sites

• Event closures

• Police activity (yes, it matters)

If you can’t drive a cube from A to B at 2PM on a Tuesday, don’t assume it’ll be fine on the shoot day.

👎 What Happens When It Goes Wrong?

• You lose 90–120 minutes of daylight

• The DP can’t match setups

• Talent leaves

• Overtime hits

• NYPD shuts down staging

• Your next permit gets denied

• Your client starts asking: “Why is this taking so long?”

🧠 Final Word: It’s a Move, Not a Miracle

The smoothest company moves look invisible because they were obsessively planned — not rushed in from a group text at lunch.

If you’re producing in NYC and you’ve got a company move in your schedule, do yourself a favor:

• Get the location team involved early

• Permit both ends of the move

• Give yourself more time than you think you need

• And for the love of god — don’t pick two locations in different boroughs unless they’re both 100% locked and logistically vetted

Need help managing your company move, securing lockup space, or building a staging plan?

White Wall Locations coordinates multi-location moves, lockups, and parking plans that are 100% permitted and strategically mapped — so you don’t lose daylight, crew morale, or your client’s confidence halfway through the day.

We’ll plan the move so you can make the day.