Description
COVID-19 Discussion
For this discussion post, you’ll need to do a make sure that you review the guidelines outlined in the FilmFlorida-FF-Clean-Healthy-Set-Recommendations-05-01-2020.pdf Download FilmFlorida-FF-Clean-Healthy-Set-Recommendations-05-01-2020.pdf before responding. The prompt will provide you with a chance to reflect on how you feel that the current pandemic has changed the media landscape.
Step 1: Review the Film Florida Clean & Healthy Set Recommendations linked above
Step 2: Respond to the following discussion questions by Thursday at 11:59 pm.
Discussion Prompt:
Do you feel that meeting these guidelines will negatively or positively impact TV production? Why?
Are there any additional steps not mentioned in the guidelines that you feel would help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
(IF YOU’VE WORKED IN PRODUCTION ALREADY SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED): What are the major challenges that you’ve noticed on set now that COVID-19 guidelines are in place?
Step 4: Reply to at least one of your classmates’ responses
DISCLAIMER: Please keep this discussion focused on the importance of health & safety practices in media production and do not bring politics into the discussion. Also, please be sensitive to the fact that we may have students in the class who have literally lost their jobs and/or entire career due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peer post:
Do you feel that meeting these guidelines will negatively or positively impact TV production? Why?
Although guidelines and health policies are crucial to stop the spread of the virus, I feel that the way a production company conducts itself will make a major impact on the outcome of the movie. In reference to the FilmFlorida recommendations, I do feel that some of them could negatively impact TV production. I think that castings are best done in person, as you can thoroughly see someone’s facial features and how they present and carry themselves for a specific character, and can be done safely by requiring a negative COVID-19 test prior to castings. This is also the same for scouting, as lots of the most successful scouting is done through face to face meeting. Another aspect is wardrobe and fittings, which I believe can be done safely in person, and if done remotely causes the risk of inefficiencies.
2. Are there any additional steps not mentioned in the guidelines that you feel would help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Aside from wearing masks and distancing, I think it would be a lot more efficient for everyone, if all of the crew and actors were tested each week of being on set, requiring a negative test within 72 hours of entering the set, or proof of vaccination. This could eliminate factors such as remote castings or unnecessary protocols, and ensure safety for everyone on the set and provide the reassurance that everyone is either tested or vaccinated.
3. (IF YOU’VE WORKED IN PRODUCTION ALREADY SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED): What are the major challenges that you’ve noticed on set now that COVID-19 guidelines are in place?
I have not worked in production since the pandemic has started, but I have been to a few castings, and it there are definitely challenges that some may not consider, but play a major role in the experience. Firstly, not being able to communicate with fellow actors and having to isolate before you are called, definitely changes the mood of the experience. Second, for my personal experience, masks were worn during the casting and only taken off for about a minute, and while I was doing my monologue, I had my mask on, hiding important facial expressions. The experience is definitely different, and I hope it can get back to normal soon.