Hollywood stars may have to dress themselves on film sets and crews will be limited to fewer than 75 people, reveal movie giants as they hold urgent talks about restarting production amid coronavirus
- Studio executives, producers and government agencies are all trying to map out way to recommence work on film and TV sets
- Insiders are anticipating big changes when productions resume; crew numbers will likely be reduced and cast members could do their own make-up
- Some fear that an extended shutdown could have long-term consequences for the Hollywood film industry
- Studios and streaming services, including Netflix, may shift their focus overseas to film in safer locations where there is more widespread COVID testing
- Hollywood productions are not expected to restart properly until September
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Hollywood stars can expect massive changes to movie and TV sets when productions recommence in the coming months.
According to a report running in The Los Angeles Times Wednesday, studio executives, producers and government agencies are all holding urgent talks to map out safe ways to resume filming amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But with no coronavirus vaccine on the horizon, new rules are likely to come into place that will transform the film-making process for the short-term future.
Hollywood insiders told the Times that social distancing protocols will mean that 'stars accustomed to in-person wardrobe departments may have to dress themselves'.
Additionally, 'makeup artists and hair dressers who usually touch up actors between takes will probably have to observe shoots from iPads'.
Jeffrey Greenstein, president of LA movie studio Millennium Films, told The Times: ''There's a lot of uncertainty, but the thing we need to all be thinking about is being as responsible as possible.'
According to The Los Angeles Times, Hollywood stars can expect massive changes to movie and TV sets when productions recommence in the coming months
Meanwhile, insiders are predicting there will also be stricter safety rules on set, and all crew could be required to wear masks and other forms of PPE.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not unusual for up to 300 people to crowd onto a set. However, in future, only 75 people may be allowed on location at a single time.
In order to reduce the number of people on a set, some people may be forced to double up on roles. For example, a director may also have to work as a cinematographer.
Meanwhile, some work may shift to being done entirely remotely.
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Elsewhere, studios are reportedly preparing to increase budgets for sanitation crews and are considering quarantining cast and crew in hotels close to set.
Insiders predict that smaller movies and TV sitcoms will be the first productions to resume, given they present less of health and safety hazards.
I don’t really imagine you’re going to be doing giant scenes with thousands of extras right off the bat,' Tom Rothman, chair of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, told the publication.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not unusual for up to 300 people to crowd onto a set. However, in future, only 75 people may be allowed on location at a single time
There are also concerns that Los Angeles could be slow to restart productions, causing long-lasting damage to city's film industry and its economy as a whole.
Los Angeles is at the center of California's coronavirus outbreak, with more than 20,00 confirmed cases and 1,000 deaths.
Last month, it was report that more than half of LA residents were out of work due to the outbreak, and it's believed that many productions will not recommence in the city until the fall.
In the meantime, studios and streaming services appear to be moving their focus away from Hollywood.
There are fears a prolonged shutdown of film and TV sets could cause long-term damage for Hollywood. More than half of the city's residents are reportedly now unemployed. A deserted Hollywood Boulevard is pictured on Monday
Netflix is currently filming shows in Iceland and South Korea - two places that have easier access to COVID-19 tests.
The shift away from Hollywood is said to have caused some anxiety among execs and city officials.
'The film industry has always been a massive piece of the economy of this region, so figuring out a safe way to bring filming back is going to be critical to recovery,” FilmLA President Paul Audley told The Times.
Meanwhile, Rothman says he is optimistic about restarting Hollywood productions.
'If there’s reliable testing, and people can come to work and be given a decent amount of social distance, I believe protocols will evolve to create workplaces where crews, who are hungry to get back to work, will feel safe.'
Los Angeles is at the center of California's coronavirus outbreak, with more than 20,00 confirmed cases and 1,000 deaths. A drive thru testing center in the city is pictured
