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Bradley Cooper has returned to work as filming for Paul Anderson's new 1970s-set ensemble drama got underway despite the coronavirus pandemic. 

The production is thought to be the first to return at such close proximity as recording began in Los Angeles last week with measures put in place in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.

This includes weekly testing for all members of both cast and crew as well as the compulsory use of face masks and shields for those behind the cameras.

It comes as the rest of Hollywood eases back into work including Tom Cruise who headed back on to the set of Mission: Impossible 7 earlier this month. 

Back in action: Bradley Cooper was spotted over the weekend filming on location in LA's San Fernando Valley for filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson

Hollywood has been proactively looking at ways to return to filmmaking since the coronavirus pandemic hit North America in March.

However it is expected studios will try and increase filming as much as possible to make up for lost time.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and Screen Actors Guild have both published detailed reports on how to protect casts and crews from the spread of the virus

Guidelines include a designated covid-19 compliance officer, require face coverings for everyone except performers, limit access to production areas and encourage the use of digital assets, such as scripts and call sheets when possible.

Productions also are encouraged to follow familiar protocols, such as social distancing, frequent hand-washing, temperature checks and active monitoring of personnel for potential exposure and any signs of illness.

Anderson's film, thought to be a coming-of-age story, is yet to be given a title but is reportedly being created under the codename Soggy Bottom. 

Bradley Cooper is the only big-name star known to feature in the film so far with information on the rest of the cast set to be released in the coming weeks.

But it was reported that there will be a cameo appearance by musical group Haim.  

Staying safe: The production abided by strict protocols as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Crew members wore face masks and shields as protection against the spread of the virus

Interrupted: When the pandemic hit in March and forced a shutdown in Hollywood, Cooper (pictured talking to a crew member in a face mask) had been filming Nightmare Alley for Guillermo del Toro in Toronto, Canada

Retro: Cooper was dressed in a loose-fitting white shirt and white cotton flares with brown shoes. He sported a shaggy brown wig and a full beard and wore a medallion necklace

Secrecy: Plot details are scarce but the story centers around a high school student who is also a successful child actor. To date, Cooper is the only known name attached to the drama

The project, which will all be shot on location, has an expected shooting schedule of three months plus.  

Snapshots emerged over the weekend as Cooper, 45, was spotted filming in LA's San Fernando Valley.

Cooper was dressed in a loose-fitting white shirt and white cotton flares with brown shoes.

He sported a shaggy brown wig and a full beard and wore a medallion necklace, looking very different from his dapper day-to-day appearance

Cameras rolled: The action took place at a gas station as crew members watched on from behind face masks and shields

Confrontation: At one point, Cooper, in character, appeared to be angrily threatening a young man with gasoline and a lighter

The action took place in a gas station and the actor was seen at various times with a windscreen squeegee or a gas canister in hand.  

At one point, he appeared to be angrily threatening a young man with gasoline and a lighter.

He was joined in the scenes by a young actor and actress who were with him in the cab of a box truck. 

Role playing: The actor was almost unrecognizable as he sported a shaggy brown wig and a full beard and his 70s style included a medallion necklace

The production was clearly abiding by strict protocols as the coronavirus pandemic continues. 

Crew members wore face masks and shields as protection against the spread of the virus.

When the pandemic hit in March and forced a shutdown in Hollywood, Cooper had been filming Nightmare Alley for Guillermo del Toro in Toronto, Canada.

He also has another directorial feature in the works; he's set to direct himself in a Leonard Bernstein biopic for Netflix.

To date, Cooper has been nominated four times for an Oscar in an acting category - for Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, American Sniper and A Star Is Born.

Had company: The Hollywood star was joined in the scenes by a young actor and actress who were with him in the cab of a box truck

In front of the camera: This is Cooper's first role since he directed himself in his remake of a Star Is Born, released in 2018

Back on the road: The truck was later equipped for filming on the move

He has also been nominated as a producer for Joker, A Star Is Born and American Sniper and for his adapted screenplay for a Star Is Born, bringing his total tally of Academy Award nominations to eight. 

This will be Anderson's fourth film set in the San Fernando Valley following Boogie Nights, Magnolia and Punch Drunk Love.  

It comes as the rest of Hollywood begins to return to work including Tom Cruise who headed back on to the set of Mission: Impossible 7 last week.   

The 58-year-old was seen leaping from a speeding motorbike as it hurtled off a 500ft on a former air base in Oxfordshire, UK, in a stunt sequence estimated to have cost £2million.

Last week Russell Crowe's road rage thriller Unhinged made $4million as mmovie theatres began reopening in earnest.

Multi-talented: He also has another directorial feature in the works; he's set to direct himself in a Leonard Bernstein biopic for Netflix

Acclaimed: To date, Cooper has been nominated four times for an Oscar in an acting category - for Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, American Sniper and A Star Is Born