From temperature checks to sanitisation of studios: Producers Guild recommends guidelines for filming

Producers Guild of India on Monday released recommended Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guidelines, which include social distancing on set, medical check-up of cast and crew, to be instituted whenever film and TV industry is granted permission to resume shooting.

Shooting for films and or production activities have remained suspended since mid-March in view of coronavirus pandemic.

Guild took to Twitter and thanked Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for "considering requests from film and TV industry to resume work safely" and released its list of recommended SOPs, to be instituted "whenever we are granted permission to resume production activities."

Apart from mandatory hand washing and sanitising, each crew member will be provided with a triple layer medical mask and gloves, which will be mandatory to wear during entire shoot. crew will also be provided with industrial gloves.

An alternative to face masks for actors and crew will be a "protective half mask" which should be worn primarily by actors and crew members having a negative COVID-19 test.

"Complete studio will be sanitised daily before shoot; sanitisation will be undertaken by a government authorised ncy," Guild said in its recommendation. All talent and crew will also have to submit a "fitness or declaration form", informing production team about ir health status and exposure to COVID-19 at time of booking or signing up for a project and again on arrival at set.

"Every crew and cast member should undergo temperature measurement with a contactless rmometer before entering set. Human body temperature limits must be in accordance to specific health regulations set by government.

"Anyone with a high temperature cant enter set; once personnel have been screened and cleared for work, y will be provided with a wrist band indicating that y are safe to proceed to set," recommendation furr re.

Extras in scenes with actors where shot requires a distance lesser than two meters must undergo testing just like actors and "y must be separated from or extras."

For initial three months, two junior level MBBS doctors and a certified nurse must be present on set in two different shifts, with an ambulance on stand-by all time, Guild said.

In its recommendation, Guild said crew above of 60 years should be avoided "at least for three months from date of shooting" and cast above of 60 years "should be judicially used."

"Rotational attendance system to be introduced with small and limited crews to be used for shoots. All departments should be asked to keep condensed unit strictly with exception of certain departments like production department, on-set security, etc.

"Catering and transport might need to increase ir work strength to enforce and put into place COVID-19 work guidelines. Majority of shoots to be planned in indoor sets and outdoor locations to be avoided."

Guild said it would also be taking precautions about maintaining proper distance between various people on shooting location so that any containment of virus through close contact is avoided.

For casting, Guild said process will w have to be done online with talent recording a self-tape video at home.

Guild said "appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn" by hair and make-up artists with mandatory hand sanitizing done before and after each make-up application. During this process, extra person will be allowed in vanity van.

For location scouting, crew has to consult local ward ministrator and art department will work with minimal people in team.