The following list of protocols are foundational to the day-to-day operations of GCMVP. While many of these protocols are based on common-sense practices, there are ones specific to our company and the kind of work we do. The COVID-19 health crisis is an ever-changing situation that calls for fluid adaptability to circumstances. As such, the following protocols are subject to change.
 

 

General Practices

• Self-monitor for signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and report your condition if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.

• Employees are required to stay home if they show any signs or symptoms of illness.

• Work remotely/from home when practical and effective.

• Keep a social distance buffer of 6 to 10 feet. If it is absolutely necessary to be closer, all parties will be wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Wear a mask/facial covering over your nose and mouth when within 10 feet of a coworker. If you cannot provide your own mask, GCMVP will provide one to you.

• Observe respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes. Try coughing/sneezing like a vampire (cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow) or into the interior of your shirt.

• Don’t touch anything that isn’t absolutely necessary.

• Use your elbow, knuckle, back of your hand or tissue/paper towel to touch surfaces as opposed to fingers/hands when possible.

• Employees will be issued work tools (such as keyboard, mouse, writing utensils) and cleaning equipment that will not be shared.

• Put down an item that someone then needs to pick up, rather than handing directly to them.

• Wash your hands or use 60%+ alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently and thoroughly.

• Hand sanitizing stations and tissue boxes will be available at entrances and throughout the office/studio and on-location for shoots outside of GCMVP.

• Before you leave for the day, clean your area of work with appropriate sanitizing products. Be as gentle as possible with electronic equipment.
   

Studio-Specific Practices:

• Maintain good ventilation. Keep windows and doors open when possible, but open at least periodically to cycle the air.

• Limit people entering the office to essential personnel.

• Deliveries should be transacted outside the entrance whenever possible.

• Pathways should be one-way when possible (clockwise) in order to avoid people having to pass each other going opposite directions in a narrow hallway.

• Plan how to serve food, coffee, etc. responsibly.

• Use disposable, ecologically-friendly flatware, plates, and cups.

• Use your cell phone as opposed to a landline.

• Disinfect remote controls.

• Timecards may transition to electronic execution, but in the short term, have as much pre-filled as possible.

• Petty cash, petty cash envelopes, mail, contracts, POs, agreements, pick-up and return paperwork will require careful handling.

• Members of each department should disinfect gear during breaks in activity.

• Minimize the number of people having to touch the same items. This may require additional gear.

• Strive for consistency regarding which pieces of equipment are handled by whom.

Shoot-Specific Practices
 

 Schedule/Staffing:

• Anticipate things taking longer to accomplish than we’re used to.

• Carefully consider the number of shoot days required.

• Consider staggered call times, department by department.

• Build in time for one department to “step in, step out” at a time.

• Consider how much the path of the sun dictates when and how much time we have to shoot a specific area or room at a location.

• Consider whether a prep or pre-light day will be required.

• Some locations may only allow limited truck parking resulting in the need to cross-load and drop off gear.

• ‘Making the day’ will require efficiency and enough personnel. This will be challenging with caps on the number of people at a gathering.

• Strive to keep the same individuals on an entire job (as opposed to individuals swapping in and out), thereby minimizing the number of individuals overall.
   

Director Scouting:

• Consider virtual director scouting via a streaming app.

• Self-drive.

• Consider utilizing walkie-talkies.

• Share each other’s location via smart phones.

• Give consideration to size and space when deciding among location options.

• Carefully consider the number of locations that get scouted in-person.
   

Tech Scout:

• Schedule the tech scout as early as possible.

• Digitally distribute tech scout packets.

• Self-drive when possible.

• If in a people mover, everyone should be in PPE. Consider renting multiple vehicles to allow distance between seats.

• While at location, have as much conversation outside as possible.

• Try to maximize space and air flow when designating spaces for a shoot (video village, lunch, equipment staging, placement of monitors, etc.). Consider whether you will have to relocate any of these areas at some point during the day, in order to accommodate different camera positions
   

Location Department:

• Some locations may require pre and post cleaning.

• Choose disinfectants carefully in order to avoid damage.

• Permit applications should go in as early as possible.

• Consider permitting backup locations in the event that a location pulls out or otherwise becomes unavailable.

• Neighbors or neighborhoods may have a diminished appetite for a film crew.

• Acquiring signatures will be difficult logistically.

• Fewer people will be eager to provide signature for filming activity on their street.

• Location contracts should be executed as early as possible.

• Rely more on locations prepped by agents (less cold scouting).

• Anticipate providing alternative lodging to house occupants for the duration of the shoot (may be best for them to not enter at wrap in between the days that crew is in the home).

• Anticipate possibility of having to board animals.

• Provide plenty of space for lunch.

• Bring sensor-activated soap dispensers, hand dryers, etc. to locations when available.

• Provide washing/sanitizing stations when there is no access to running water.

• Consider the logistical challenges of a location before sharing with a Director or Agency / Client.

• Have one individual put up and take down all location signs.

• Locations should in general be ‘closed sets’. No non-essential visitors.
   

Transportation:

• Limit number of people in a passenger van at one time.

• Consider a higher-capacity bus for shuttling, to allow for social distance inside.

• Add signage to van exterior identifying maximum capacity and reminding people to wear masks.

• Keep windows down to promote ventilation.

• Try to commit to one driver per vehicle.
   

Art Department:

• Minimize touching items native to a location

• Consider asking owner of location to reduce personal items before we take occupancy

• Fewer pickups will be possible per day, per truck

• Make decisions on the tech scout, get approvals from Agency / Client as early as possible

• Consider potential value of prep and strike days. This may be combined with location cleaning requirements
   

Electric/Grip Departments:

• More gear may be required.

• Grip gear should only be handled by the grip department (apple boxes and stands often support other departments).

• Art departments should communicate support needs in advance.
   

Hair & Makeup:

• PPE must be worn for the duration of person-to-person contact.

• Space make-up stations apart from each other, or provide a partition between workstations.

• Use only one brush, applicator, etc. per actor. No double-dipping.

• Mix foundation, powders, lipstick, etc. on a disposable palette for each individual.

• Clean hairbrushes and combs and reusable make-up brushes with appropriate disinfecting solutions.

• Kits will need to include multiples for most make-up.

• Actor may be able to wear a mask while having their eyes or hair done.

• Face shield may be worn by Make-up Artist or Hairstylist.

• Only remove the actor’s mask when essential.

• Once made up, actors may consider a face shield (as opposed to a mask) in order to not disturb completed make-up.

• Make-up Artist or Hairstylist may place and remove face shield for the actor (if the actor prefers).

• Consider having the actor show up having done their own make-up.
   

Camera Department:

• Camera pick-up from the camera house may have to be scheduled.

• Person doing the pick-up must handle cases with gloves.

• Only camera personnel should handle camera gear including carts, cases, tape, etc.
   

Sound Department:

• Disinfect Comteks before and after each use.

• Label Comteks with the name of the user.

• Disinfect Lav mics and transmitters before and after each use.

• Replace Lav mounting components that can not be thoroughly cleaned.

• PPE must be worn for the duration of person-to-person contact.

• Consider utilizing boom-only audio (as opposed to rigging Lav mics).

• Some multi-talent scripts under the boom-only scenario may require a second Boom Operator.
   

Catering:

• Consider staggering lunch to decrease the number of people getting food and seating simultaneously.

• Food will be served to people (as opposed to self-serve).

• Flatware should be handed out one by one.

• Some scenarios will benefit from individually boxed meals.

• Provide plenty of tables and seating to spread out safely.

• Hand washing/sanitizing station should be present.

• Some may prefer to bring their own food.

• Some may prefer to eat in their car.
   

Craft Services:

• Only buy individual, prepackaged portions.

• Everyone must wash/sanitize their hands before entering the craft services area.

• Tables should be set up so that people can take individual portions and only touch what they are taking - you touch it, you own it.

• Craft services should have capability to refill an individual’s reusable water bottle brought to set without contact between refill source and bottle.

• Reduce and streamline variety of beverages.

• No bowls or canisters of snacks to reach into.
   

Video Editing:

• Clients may prefer plastic chairs over director chairs or sofas (easier to wipe down).

• Clients will understand things done for purposes of caution and safety.
   

Wardrobe Department:

• In-depth planning of wardrobe should be done ahead of shopping and pulling from rental houses.

• Only the wardrobe department should touch clothing, etc. until it's decided what the actor will actually try on.

• Fitting photos should be taken by one person, not multiple people touching the same phone, tablet, etc.

• Use gloves when looking through garments in rental houses and retail stores.

• Anticipate delays at rental houses and retail stores.

• Review current retail return and exchange policies.

• Book talent as early as possible, and get sizes as early as possible.

• Costumes and outfits should be bagged up individually, by performer.

• Seek permission from Clients to allow actors to keep purchased wardrobe.

• Consider having actors arrive in their own wardrobe.

• Disinfect jewelry and glasses with disinfectant that will not cause damage.
   

Actors:

• Consider a temporary clear barrier between actors while establishing marks and positions, and remove at the last moment.

• Consider alternate shot set-ups, camera angles, lenses, etc.

• Actors may benefit from extra tender loving care. Remember, they have to give an on-screen performance in the midst of all this.
   

Extras:

• Carefully consider the number of Extras required.

• Be sure to have enough space and tables and chairs for Extras holding area to be spread out

• Provide one pen for each Extra to execute paperwork and make sure they know to keep it and not share.
   

Minors:

• Think about how to organize schooling if required.

• Remember that many states require work permits.

• Children will require extra attention to ensure they follow safety protocols.

• Be sure to have PPE that fits the minors.

• No make-up unless absolutely necessary.
   

Unions and Guilds:

• A union or guild representative may reach out to discuss something about one of your projects. Much of this is new, and no one can think of every issue that may come up.

• Unions have a responsibility to look out for the safety of their members.

Do you have any suggestions?

Please send us any suggestions or comments. We are open to implementing additional practices that are necessary to protect everyone so that we can beat COVID-19 together.
 

Thanks!