Creative Production in a Post-COVID World
This is going to be interesting AF. Here we are at a moment in history with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make over the production process into one that truly benefits all the people who come together to make it work. We have the opportunity to go from “This is just how it’s done.” to “This is how we’ve always wanted to do it.” Will we take advantage? One only hopes. Take this article for example, where post-production supervisor Amanda Hanna-McLeer outlines the, frankly, dehumanizing working conditions that comes with being a “below-the-line” crew member on a television show.
While the pandemic has brought massive amounts of uncertainty to how the entertainment industry will go forward, one positive consequence is that we have a chance to make over our production process into one that is more humane and respectful of the time and energy that thousands of people put into it. One of the positive consequences for actors is that the vast majority of castings will be self-tape, with Zoom callbacks, for at least the next year. This means that one no longer has to feel bound to living in New York or Los Angeles to get the “auditions room” anymore.
Production companies and studios have been coming together to figure out how to, at the very least, create new safe-set standards. Let’s see what they’ve come up with so far…
INDUSTRIAL COLOR
They are one of the foremost media production companies in America, with studios in Los Angeles, New York City, and Philadelphia. Their plan is detailed to the point of addressing crew and talent meals, and how wardrobe and makeup/hair will have to prepare before even setting foot on premises.
E/S COLLAB.
Based in New York City and Sydney, Australia, E/S provides executive business services for productions. Their approach to COVID-19 preparedness going forward was to provide a roundup of protocols enacted in each state. Additionally, they’ve linked to standards proposed by industry labor organizations.
LA COUNTY
The county of Los Angeles, working with an industry group helmed by NBCU CEO Jeff Shell, has set forth a public health order outlining protocols for the reopening of music, television, and film production. The fine folks at Deadline wrote up a summary of what to expect, if you don’t want to read through the legalese of the Order.
SAG-AFTRA
While they are not a production company, SAG-AFTRA holds major industry sway as THE actor’s union. Additionally, they function as a professional organization that even non-union talent looks toward for guidance when sticky issues may come up on set. Basically, actors are the most vulnerable workers on a set, so until the union gives their blessing on a production, most actors will stay home.
An important link you should add to your bookmarks is FilmLA’s Covid-19 Resource page. They are keeping it updated with availability information about when public areas in Los Angeles will re-open, and how to secure permits when they do. But keep in mind that, to date, not a single insurance company will offer COVID-19 coverage. A few small non-union and indie productions are definitely shooting here and there. And on several, they swear up and down they’re being safe. But if the entire cast and crew has to sign a waiver releasing the production from responsibility if COVID is contracted during the production, is it really worth shooting?