The Film Industry & Navigating Covid-19

In the beginning of lockdown, one of the biggest questions from the industry and viewers was 'how will new productions go forward' Beloved dramas like Emmerdale and Coronation Street started this June as they adapted their story lines. But people asked what about Netflix, Amazon Prime and even Disney? Well, good news! Our beloved industry is coming back full swing with more and more productions casting for their new promotions, series and films. Methods have already been devised within the film and television industry to navigate the new social distancing measures and safety for cast & crew. Keep reading to find out the methods the industry has been adopting to make sure that we have new content ready for our viewing. 

BBC One's 'Staged'

Remote Filming

The first adaption, of course, has to consider alternate routes of filming that allow actors to work from home. David Tennant and Michael Sheen made a very funny comedy for the BBC over Zoom called Staged. Numerous casts have done script read-throughs of their old films, such as the cast of Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. These projects are simply made, but they indicate the potential of an emergent medium for film-makers just waiting for talented film-makers to innovate within.

'Bubble' Casting Calls

As for in-person filming, there has been some creative thinking on how to film while balancing the costs of safety and practicality. One common solution that we’ve been seeing in many casting suggestions is utilising groups of people who already live together. If a film or commercial is in need of a family, then why not just hire a family?

Inventive Locations & Techniques

Of course, there are circumstances where bubble casting simply isn’t possible, whether due to demands of character variation or particularity of script. Another plausible solution is to select settings in which social contact can be reduced. This means selecting scripts which can be filmed outside, or films which can be filmed within a single building. Crowd scenes are out of the equation for the time being as crews can trick the eye with two handed scenes to ​seem the actors are close together! In either case, be on the lookout for post-apocalyptic films; it is only a matter of time till we see the story of Covid making blockbusters!

​As you can see, the approach the film industry  has taken in facing these challenges is by changing its practices ​not giving up their creativity. What this ultimately shows is both the strong nature of the industry and the impressive adaptability with which it goes forward in its truly fascinating form.

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