06 – Hostile filming protocol
While no longer a global emergency, COVID continues to circulate. Film teams should consider and prepare for the risk of infection of the COVID virus and other communicable diseases, particularly when members of the film team or participants are vulnerable to more severe illness or long-term complications, including the elderly or those who are immunocompromised. If the risk of infection is high, film teams should consider alternative approaches to filming, e.g., remote interviews or participant-generated video, canceling, or rescheduling.
- Monitor for outbreaks in the locations where you will be shooting through the World Health Organization.
- Be familiar with the guidelines in the country or region where you will be filming. Some locations may prohibit you from shooting at all. Government public health departments can be consulted.
- Ensure all film team members and participants are aware of the risk.
- Establish and communicate a safety-first policy to ensure film team members and participants feel comfortable speaking up about their concerns and discomfort, including refusing to participate.
- Ask film team members and participants to monitor for their own symptoms and test when an infection is suspected. Be aware that the collection of private medical information by employers is heavily regulated. Any sharing of information should be presented as voluntary, but important for the good of the production and all involved.
- If possible, reschedule shoots or move them outdoors to decrease risk if an infection is detected. If impossible to reschedule, pare back on the size of the crew, temporarily replace infected film team members, and provide personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and hand sanitizer and confirm that all film team members and participants are comfortable with the risk.
- On top of PPE, when filming cannot be rescheduled, institute physical distancing protocols, including travel to/from the filming location and shooting setups.