Hollywood Can Start Filming Again Tomorrow
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that after three long months, actors and Hollywood types can finally get back to work in front of the camera. Sorry, allow me to clarify. Some actors and Hollywood types can get back to work. How dare I erase all the tireless work Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have been putting in for the cameras over the past three months.
Los Angeles County health officials have approved TV and film production to resume in Hollywood tomorrow, Friday June 12. We’re still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, so things will be a little different on set. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Department of Public Health made the announcement yesterday.
But the film industry isn’t the only thing re-opening tomorrow. The Public Health department also approved gyms, movie theaters, campgrounds, hotels, and museums, so long as they adhere to proper public health guidelines. So what are the guidelines for Hollywood? SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild, IATSE, and the Teamsters, have all been tasked with determining their own specific protocols, and negotiating their terms with major studios. They’re following suggestions given to them by health officials, like regular COVID-19 testing before returning to work, frequent symptom monitoring, PPE provided on set, staggered meal times to encourage social distancing, and regular hand washing.
California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed some conditions for returning to work last week, and he encouraged everyone to take the workplace health suggestions seriously.
“To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, productions, cast, crew and other industry workers should abide by safety protocols agreed by labor and management, which may be further enhanced by county public health officers. Back office staff and management should adhere to Office Workspace guidelines published by the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Industrial Relations, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.”
Ever since the coronavirus pandemic forced a temporary closure of the film industry, other industries have been falling like dominoes. Like movie theater chains, that are one week’s worth of popcorn sales away from bankruptcy. The Oscars were rumored to be happening later than usual, due to the lack of films being released theatrically. The temporary closing of Hollywood forced actors to get creative while stuck inside their mansions. Sometimes their efforts were successful. And sometimes…well, sometimes you’re Gal Gadot leading a tone-deaf sing-a-long to “Imagine.” With that being said, I’m sure everyone is very excited to get back to work. Except Ellen DeGeneres. She’s used to entering the building by going through a door, not a wall of angry crew members wondering where their paychecks are.
Pic: Wenn.com