The Birdhouse Studio – Working safely during COVID-19
Last updated: April 2024
It’s critical we dont take our eye off the ball when it comes to working safely. Successful productions will be continuing to make plans, communicating effectively and having a contingency plan up their sleeve for how to work safely and with a full crew.
“We have followed government guidelines and are continuing to follow industry guidelines, to ensure the safety of our clients and colleagues. During the CV-19 pandemic, we have worked with multiple clients safely, filming and editing over 250 films throughout all three lockdowns in the UK, including KPMG, Honda and Estrella Galicia for Southpaw, Foxtrot Papa, Beagle Media and many other agencies and clients.
We’re well versed in PPE of all kinds, from filming in hospital theatres, MRI and ultrasound suites, to building sites, warehouses and production lines; whether it’s a hard hat, high vis and steel boots or face shields, masks, scrubs, nitrile gloves and theatre clogs, we’ve filmed in them. ”
And now for something a little different…
South Park once created a video game with a difficulty mode based on race to show how racism impacts advancement in life. In the same vein, the Long Covid Europe patient network aspires to teach people about the lingering serious consequences of the infection.
Agency Saint Elmo's (part of Serviceplan Group) created downloadable Long Covid settings for Elden Ring (co-developed with Garden of Eyes), Minecraft and The Witcher 3 (co-developed with Stellar7Project).
The level of thought that went into how the disease manifests in the games is elaborate.
The World Health Organization reports that one in 10 people diagnosed with Covid-19 experience continuing health problems. They manifest differently, often impede everyday functions and have no known cure. About 23 million Americans are believed to have Long Covid.
Source - Muse by CLIO
Here’s what TV, Film and Event health and safety specialists have witnessed as the colder months have settled in:
The Production Industry is busier than ever - we're booking 6-12 months in advance.
We’re seeing daily POSITIVE cases go up from 0-1 a day to 2-3 a day just in the last three weeks.
All productions are being hit, but smaller productions seem to be affected more significantly.
Close contact is the biggest problem for transmission on set - the Omicron variant now demands 10 days isolation.
Smart testing regimes with an emphasis on personal responsibility are having a big impact in helping reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Safe and immediate home transportation of positive cases is essential to minimising contact.
The Omicron variant news is evolving. It's unlikely to be the last significant variant we see emerge.
The risk of critical illness related to COVID-19 has been hugely mitigated by a very successful vaccine programme. But we’re not out of the woods yet!
So what can we do?
All productions should have a strategy plan - and make that plan clear to all shoot and office crew - before finishing for the Christmas break, to ensure that the return to work in January 2023 is as safe as possible.
Make use of the NHS testing facilities during the Christmas break - PCR and Lateral Flow testing should be insisted upon before gatherings to keep your loved ones safe.
Reduce your close contact as much as possible.
Wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, such as when shopping or travelling.
Ensure you are washing your hands regularly.
Open windows - ventilation is a key part of transmission prevention.
Urge all staff to book their NHS COVID-19 booster and winter flu vaccine as soon as possible.
Set up a testing regime before cast and crew are allowed to return to work post Christmas / New Year mingling.
If you need any COVID-19 testing support before returning to work please get in touch!
Contact Birdhouse
APA COVID-19 Shooting Guidelines
We have vast experience filming within NHS and private healthcare hospitals all over the UK, which gives us a strong understanding of working safely on set during Covid-19. We have been working hard to adapt our methods to ensure our clients and crew are safe when filming on location.
Ahead of every shoot we have considered carefully who is needed on site, to ensure we are planning for the minimum number of people required to operate safely and effectively.
All crew are required to complete a ScreenSkills ‘Coronavirus basic awareness on production’ course, and must follow the latest gov and industry guidelines.
During the CV-19 pandemic, we have worked with multiple clients, including filming over 250 films safely throughout all three lockdowns in the UK.
During each shoot, we follow the guidelines specific to each scenario to ensure the safety of everyone on set:
All productions have a strategy plan - and that plan is clear to all shoot and office crew.
Regular hand washing.
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) specific to each scenario; Surgical face masks, full face shield and/or visor, gloves.
Regular use of hand sanitiser.
Department separation; Only our camera crew to handle cameras, talent to affix their own radio mic under instruction or using alternate sound options, etc.
Regular cleaning of camera equipment.
Equipment sanitised before, after and between filming.
As we have years of experience working on both small and large productions, we’re perfectly suited to adapt our crews to fit your needs, ensuring only essential personnel is on site.
If you have any questions or queries about how we can deliver your production safety, on time and on budget, please do get in touch with us.
Stay healthy and safe.
We have followed government guidelines and are continuing to follow industry guidelines, to ensure the safety of our clients and colleagues. During the CV-19 pandemic, we have worked with multiple clients safely, including filming and editing over 250 films throughout all three lockdowns in the UK, for Southpaw, Redwood BBDO, The Hygiene Bank, Simmonds Ltd and Lotus Cars for Foxtrot Papa.