Welcome to the UK Locations Industry Update – we are spending time researching, sifting and finding the most useful information to keep you informed on a weekly basis on what’s currently happening in our industry.
It is part of our main focus – to get our industry back working as safely and quickly as possible. Here’s the latest:
Last Updated: 02/06/20
British Film Commission – Working Safely During COVID-19 in Film and High-end TV Drama Production – link
The British Film Commission has released a set of covid-19 guidelines for productions to follow moving forward in the UK. It has been Government approved as well as having input from crew representatives, industry bodies and unions. The guidelines are designed to be scalable to productions of all sizes and budgets, and asks producers to consider what alterations may be needed to allow them to be applicable to the project and each of the individuals involved.
Following the green-light by the government for the sector to return to work, these guidelines are the next necessary step that productions can now take to ensure the safety of everyone involved as they begin to gear back up. There will be many more steps and some hurdles to follow, but they are heading in the right direction.
Below are a few examples taken from these guidelines of the preparations producers will need to take;
- COVID-19 Safer Working induction training must be undertaken online by all cast and crew prior to their work commencing.
- Assign an appropriately trained COVID-19 health and safety Supervisor to the production. This may be a dedicated role or an appropriately trained crew member in a dual role.
- Apply a clear system for the communication including reporting and record-keeping, e.g. symptom checks, non-compliance issues and cleaning record
U.K. Coronavirus Insurance Plan Includes Possible Multimillion-Dollar Fund Covering Production – link
One issue that continues to be a hurdle for many productions is insurance, and it looks as though an insurance arrangement may be on the horizon. The head of the producers trade body PACT is leading a task force alongside industry execs, top insurance brokers and lawyers and has submitted a proposal to the government for a guarantee around coverage for suspension or abandonment costs relating to Covid-19.
In order for production companies both large and small to have the confidence to return to business as usual, procedures will need to be in place and as it stands insurance companies are refusing to write new plans or extend policies to cover claims relating to Covid-19, and so government support is required.
Discussions are now underway for a policy similar to the one set up in response to terrorism-related claims, referring to it as ‘Pan Re’, it would similarly form a membership of various insurers, in association with the government, who are then provided a guarantee ensuring they can provide cover for pandemic-related claims. It is estimated that there will be more clarity on this in late June.