As Hollywood reopens they’ve made a lot of changes due to COVID-19
When we discuss the “new normal” and reopening, we are typically talking about the bank in the shopping center, the office building on the corner, and the schools are kids go to.
What you may not realize is that as Hollywood reopens – and the making of movies resumes – a lot of changes are going to need to be made there as well.
For instance, it was recently announced that Chicago PD, which is filmed in the city and at several locations around the city, will resume filming on September 21. All filming was canceled for this and most television shows earlier in the year when the seriousness of the disease became clear.
Now, as they resume filming, they will have to follow the guidelines created by the Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Committee Task Force. This task force has put together a 22-page document, listing all the health and safety measured that studios in Hollywood and around the country must adhere to.
Among their requirements are the following:
•All scripts will be delivered electronically. Several actors were not happy with this change. They prefer printed scripts so they can write notes on the paper script during rehearsals.
•Call sheets will also be delivered electronically. Call sheets are schedules shared with the scores of people working behind the scenes to make a movie. The goal of a call sheet is to make sure everyone knows where they should be at any time in the movie making process. When they were in paper format, once again, people could write notes on the call sheets. That is no longer possible.
•Many of these behind the scenes people were given petty cash to purchase things they needed while working on a movie. This could be anything from food and drink, to purchasing paper towels or trash liners for the set. Petty cash will be replaced with debit cards. No cash can be exchanged on the set.
•Emotional support telephone hotlines must be available to both actors and production crew members. While it is not clear yet who will “man” these support lines, all production companies must provide not only emotional support hotlines, but “mindfulness training as well as tools and resources for dealing with the anxiety” that can be caused by the pandemic, and working on a movie set with many people in close proximity.
•Because it may be hard to social distance on a movie set, all actors and those working on a film must always wear masks. The only exception is if they are being filmed for the movie. Further, “regular symptom checks” and routine temperature testing will be required of everyone.
•Temperature checking will also be required of outside vendors preparing and serving food for production staff. Further, they must wear personal protective gear.
•Cleaning is also addressed. The document requires that all work areas, common areas, restrooms, editing suites, and meeting rooms, be thoroughly cleaned before work begins and throughout the day. The document adds that this “enhanced cleaning,” as it is referred to, should also help protect the mental health of actors and crew.
Not only can enhanced cleaning benefit the mental health of those making movies, it’s also true for people that work in banks, office buildings, and schools.
With the pandemic, one of the most effective ways to improve worker morale and help people get back to work – and stay at work – is to make sure they know enhanced cleaning measures, as well as infection control programs, are in place to keep them safe.
This is why we encourage our clients to discuss the cleaning programs we have created for them with their staff and building users. The more they know about these programs and the steps in place, the safer they will feel.
We are infection control experts, here to help building managers keep their facilities cleaner, healthier, greener, and safer, in the most cost-effective ways possible. To learn more about Secure Clean, contact us at 888-609-1410.
