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I’ve heard/seen some indie filmmakers looking to jumpstart productions again and I believe there’s things to consider before doing so (thread.)
Note: this will cover Independent Film Productions. Studios & Unions will have their own protocols.
Note: this will cover Independent Film Productions. Studios & Unions will have their own protocols.
1/ Many steps and precautions need to be taken before anyone can even think of having shoots again. Cast and crew need to be tested before production even begins (which isn’t available for everyone.) Hand-washing and sanitizing stations need to be established at each location.
2/ Cast and crew ideally need temperature checks every few hours, but pragmatically at least twice daily: at the start of shooting and at the end of the day. (Which again - how are you going to do this? What kind of thermometer will you use? How? What’s your budget?)
3/ PPE needs to be given to all crew. All equipment needs to be throughly sanitized before and after each shoot. Without the resources of a studio, how will you supply all the PPE and sanitizing equipment?
4/ How will food work? Everyone brings their own lunch? Is it catered? How do you eliminate risk of potential contamination?
5/ Or something more serious: what happens if your lead actor becomes infected? Or anyone on the crew? You need to shut it all down for 2 weeks at least and test everyone again before going back to work. (And even then isn’t a guarantee it won’t happen again).
6/ Say the unthinkable happens: someone infected dies from COVID. Forget about what that means for your film. Your negligence has cost human life. As a filmmaker you have a responsibility to the safety and well-being of the cast and crew. Can you live with that potential risk?
7/ Look, we’re all desperate to get back to work. I am too! But we need to take a step back and see the big picture here. This pandemic is no joke. Filmmakers need to think long and hard about whether their pursuit of a project is worth the potential risks.
8/ If you have the resources and can get a bunch of tests, PPE, etc. then great! By all means have at it. But if you don’t or can’t... maybe rethink shooting your short film, feature, or music video for a while.
9/ Because until a vaccine is being jammed into our veins, we need to protect as many lives as we possibly can.
10/ I’d rather you complain this is inaccurate and criticize me in the comments than have you intubated and causing that much more heartbreak
11/ Stay safe. Wear a mask. Carry on.
//end thread//
//end thread//
