ARRI has published pictures from Uruguayan production company shooting in the era of COVID-19. All staff members are wearing masks and protective suits, cameras and lenses are disinfected and social distancing is kept. Take a look at this new (and bizarre) filmmaking reality. 

Filmmaking in the era of coronavirus

In some countries, the routine is being initiated carefully, under harsh social distancing restrictions. The filmmaking industry is beginning to take its first steps within the pandemic, trying to recover and make the industry great again. But how it actually looks? Well, ARRI has published a reference for that, presenting an Uruguayan production company called Marote (marote.com.uy). As stated by ARRI: “Production begins to reactivate slowly in Uruguay within the framework of the “new normal.” This is the first in-studio shoot with production company Marote and with the new protocols. ALEXA Mini LF and other equipment provided by our friends at @MusitelliFD”. Have a look at Marote’s behind the scenes footage, to explore the “new normal” in film productions

Production begins to reactivate slowly in Uruguay within the framework of the “new normal.” This is the first in-studio shoot with production company Marote and with the new protocols.

ARRI

The “new normal”

By looking at Marote’s website, there is some more info about this specific COVID-19 style production. Here’s a Google translation, since the description is in Spanish: “In a new episode of “Rolling in the time of COVID-19” We present: Heroes of communication. And is that … communication does NOT stop !!! Yesterday we were filming production for Cash, filming? Yes, filming! We launched a special protocol for these times with extreme security measures: we put on gloves, masks, masks, rompers, we fumigated the entire study, medical personnel took our temperature, advised us, and monitored us throughout the filming process”. 

Film productions amid the coronavirus

One of the best references regarding film production guidelines during the COVID-19 era is the “Recommendations for Clean & Healthy Production Sets” brochure by Film Florida. This non-profit organization provides a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, production & digital media/tech industry. The brochure contains detailed recommendations for all sections, groups, and departments on set including environment, casting, on-set protocols, handling of equipment, staffing, location, art department, camera, sound, actors, and more. According to Deadline, this is the first comprehensive safe-set guide in the U.S., following sets of guidelines released in Australia and Sweden/Denmark as these countries started to resume filming following a coronavirus-related shutdown. 

Have a look at this six-page document that features 161 recommendations for film productions:

[pdf-embedder url=”https://ymcinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FF-Clean-Healthy-Set-Recommendations-05-01-2020.pdf” title=”Recommendations for Clean & Healthy Production Sets. Film Florida Association”]

Here are some highlights from the document: 

1. Maintain social distancing of no less than 6 feet whenever possible.
2. The crew must wear masks and should be worn at all times on set
3. The crew must wear gloves and change gloves repeatedly during the day
4. Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces, equipment, and other elements of the work environment using alcohol-based sanitizing wipes.
5. Each department should individually set up the filming area and leave sequentially, so as not to cross-contaminate personnel crew.
6. Minimize the number of people having to touch the same items. This may require additional gear.
7. All crew that requires tools should bring their own and not allow sharing.
8. More gear may be required to ensure people don’t pass gear
9. Consider ordering additional gear and assign apple boxes and stands to other
10. departments.
11. Each camera crew personnel should have their own non-sharable camera kits.
12. Consider a temporary clear barrier between actors while establishing marks and positions and remove at the last moment.
13. Consider alternate shot set-ups, camera angles, lenses, etc. 
14. For intimate scenes, talent should have to test negative for the virus and show results.

Each department should individually set up the filming area and leave sequentially, so as not to cross-contaminate personnel crew.

Film Florida Association

Final thoughts

We think the pictures speak for themselves. These are not ideal nor practical conditions for making films. Furthermore, the document above describes impossible restrictions and/or guidelines for our industry. We hope that this COVID-19 situation will be temporary so we can get back to do what we love the most, making films in a suitable and logical environment.