The COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide ranging impact on the film and video production industry. Rules and impacts keep changing. This page is designed to help keep you informed while planning a production, before stepping on the set.
Down times provide a great opportunity to work on improving your skills. Please check our Resources page for educational topics, and other links of interest.
NAB has issued health and safety protocols for the event in Las Vegas, April 23-27.
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS REVISED AND EXTENDED
According to Variety, "Film and TV crews will continue to adhere to the industry’s elaborate COVID protocols, which require masking, distancing and regular testing, at least through April 30."
Hollywood COVID Protocols Extended to April 30, Booster Shots Addressed
From the height of an infection to being back on set it is “5” days: But first you must have no further symptoms, no temperature, etc. You must produce a negative test within 24 hour of going on set the day of arrival on set. Here's the catch. A PCR test takes 1-3 days for results and can still come back positive for up to 90 days after infection. So the test need to be an antigen test (15 min result) which can be taken just before leaving for set. I have the cast and crew take a photo of the test strip with the negative result on a paper with their name and date on it and text it to me before arrival and then check their temperature and fill out the daily covid-19 health survey as required by SAG.
From detecting that you are sick until you are clear for set it is around 7 days usually now (omnicron). The person who had covid (like everyone else on set) must stay distanced, wear a surgical mask, and test every other day. That the current procedure.
For everyone else it's a Negative PCR test to start a production week and an Antigen test every second day after that.
SAG now also has a reduced version but only under much lessened covid spread conditions. Currently Southern California is listed as “severe” so I don't expect much change soon.The rules are based on the current CDC recommendations.
Official Covid “R-Naught” numbers site (add zip code:) - www.covidactnow.org
SAG/AFTRA Revision - www.sagaftra.org/news-events/news/covid-19/safety-first
The rules are based on current CDC guidelines.
(Note that the above resources are provided for informational purposes.)
Safe Sets International Resources (includes US)
https://www.sandiego.gov/specialevents-filming/filming
Contact information:
City of San Diego Special Events and Filming Department:
Brandy Shimabukuro, Film Liaison | Filming Program Manager
T (619) 685-1340 C (619) 846-2099
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/city_of_san_diego_-_guidelines_on_filming_covid-19_prevention_as_of_06-09.pdf
County of San Diego Safe Reopening Plan
“THE WHITE PAPER” from June 1, 2020: Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers “Industry-Wide Labor- Management Safety Committee Task Force” Proposed Health and Safety Guidelines for Motion Picture, Television, and Streaming Productions During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/iwlmsc_task_force_white_paper_6-1-20.pdf
"THE SAFE WAY FORWARD" Aj Joint Report of the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and Teamster's Committees for DOVID-19 Safety Guidelines
https://www.sagaftra.org/news-events/news/covid-19/safety-first
https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/ProductionSafetyGuidelines_June2020EditedP.pdf
California requires employers to have a COVID COMPLIANCE PLAN
ACCESS to DOWNLOADABLE TEMPLATE: https://www.safeatworkca.com/safety-articles/covid-19-prevention-planning/
The template is an editable Word document
FILM LA
https://www.filmla.com/covid-19/AMERICAN FILM MARKET
https://americanfilmmarket.com/worldwide-covid-19-film-production-guidelines/City of San Diego COVID-19 Resources, Posters, and Materials
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/materials.html#PostersandPostcardsCalifornia Statewide Industry-Specific Resources
https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/#topCalifornia Film Commission | Financial Assistance Resources
https://film.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Covid-Related-Resources-Rev-9-26-20-1.pdf
Become a COVID-19 Compliance Officer (C19CO) for your productions.
healtheducationservices.net/training/covid-19-compliance-officer-c19co/Safe Sets International
practicesafesets.co
How do you come up with a union-compliant COVID-19 safety protocol in the middle of a pandemic?
6 Things to Think About When Safeguarding Your Film Set from COVID-19California Statewide Industry Guidance to Reduce Risk (scroll down to the Music, film, and TV production blade)
Coronavirus Spike Puts Hollywood’s Back-to-Work Plans in Serious Jeopardy
https://variety.com/2020/film/news/coronavirus-spike-hollywood-back-to-work-plans-1234695168/
- Everything You Need to Know About Being (or Hiring) an On-Set COVID-19 Compliance Supervisor
- Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers submitted their White Paper “Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee Task Force”
https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/iwlmsc-task-force-white-paper-6-1-20.pdf- DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and Teamsters’ Committees COVID-19 Safety Guidelines called “The Safe Way Forward”
https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/ProductionSafetyGuidelines_June2020.pdf- Check Out Hollywood's 22-Page Guide for Returning to Production Amid COVID-19
COVID-19 Guidelines- Lionsgate Production Guidelines
https://www.scribd.com/document/460036593/Lionsgate-New-Safety-GuidelinesOutside California
- Georgia’s Production Guidelines
https://www.georgia.org/covid19filmguide- European Production Guidelines (via Hollywood Reporter)
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starting-production-europe-coronavirus-guide-by-country-1294732
Lack Of Movies, Covid-19 Surge Again Delay Reopening For Top Three U.S. Theater Chains
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dbloom/2020/06/30/lack-of-movies-covid-19-surge-again-delay-reopening-for-top-three-us-theater-chains/#335768a3725f