The AICP just released guidelines for production and post-production companies to follow when producing content in light of the current COVID-19 health crisis.  The new guidelines, "COVID-19 Workplace Guidance and Considerations," give general guidance for all companies to follow, as well as specific recommendations by job function. 

In releasing the guidelines, the AICP expressed a few key principles: 

  • Producers will have to "place an unprecedented amount of thought and planning into steadfast attention regarding hygiene and sanitation that maintains safe and healthy working environments";
  • Producers will need to take into account the additional time and cost that will be required in order to achieve a safer production environment;
  • Producers should plan to "work with the least number of people in close proximity to each other" in order to help ensure a safe environment and and to give participants a sense of confidence about the safety measures being taken;

In its "General Practices for all Worksites" guidance, the AICP gives extensive recommendations about how to maintain a safer production environment.  Some of the highlights of th:

  • Requiring employee health testing and collecting health history; 
  • Providing washing stations, hand sanitizer, and PPE; 
  • Designing locations to allow for social distancing; 
  • Creating one-way pathways; 
  • Staggering arrival times to minimize congestion;
  • Changing work hours to avoid rush hour; 
  • Limiting in-person staff to essential personnel;
  • Requiring the wearing of masks;
  • Procedures for sanitizing production environments; and
  • Avoiding use of shared equipment.

The AICP also provided "Production Specific - Departmental Guidance," which gives recommendations for a wide variety of functions, including casting, hair and makeup, handling of equipment, talent, and wardrobe.  

For example, the AICP's guidance for working with talent includes recommendations such as: 

  • Consider a temporary barrier between actors before shooting takes place; 
  • Consider alternate shots to "allow for maximum separation";
  • Consider the number of extras required; and
  • Execute paperwork digitally whenever possible.