How the AMAs Plan to Put on a Covid-Safe Show
As U.S. medical professionals proceed to warn of Covid-19 circumstances rising in the winter months, organizers of the forty eighth annual American Music Awards say their present will go on this Sunday, November twenty second. “We have rigorous Covid-19 safety guidelines and protocols in place — approved by the unions and with guidance from L.A. County Department of Public Health — that are beyond what is required,” a Dick Clark Productions spokesperson tells Rolling Stone.
The occasion, hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson, will happen at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater and have greater than 15 performances. Viewers can anticipate to see the world premieres of recent singles from Billie Eilish (“Therefore I Am”) and Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes (“Monster”), in addition to a particular rendition of an undisclosed music off Megan Thee Stallion’s new album, and performances from the likes of the Weeknd and Kenny G., Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, and Katy Perry. This will all occur simply three days after native officers reported that L.A. County had 5,000 new circumstances in a single day — the space’s highest 24-hour rely but.
“Anyone entering the AMAs footprint is tested in advance, and testing continues with frequency throughout the wrap of production,” the spokesperson says. “Everyone inside our footprint, with the exception of artists on stage who are singing or speaking, will be wearing facial coverings and maintain social distancing at all times. When artists are not on stage singing, presenting, or accepting an award, they will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, we disinfect our set every evening and in between performances during pre-production, rehearsals and in the live show.”
This signifies that all dancers will likely be masked as effectively, which was not the case at Miami’s Latin Grammys on Thursday night time, for instance. There can also be a restrict to what number of performers and dancers might be on one stage at any given time, though the spokesperson wouldn’t share particular numbers.
Regarding what number of phases the AMAs have been planning on utilizing, the spokesperson would solely say that there will likely be a number of on website. Separate crews have been put collectively for every stage, the spokesperson assures, and all crew members are required to socially distance and put on facial coverings always in the venue. The AMAs crew can also be working with “two leading safety companies” on all Covid-19 compliance.
Additionally, there will likely be a mixture of distant performances from artists in different areas of the world. BTS will carry out in South Korea, and Dua Lipa will carry out in London. “To ensure the safety of the show and the best experience for fans worldwide, we do have a few pre-tapes that are seamlessly integrated into the show,” the spokesperson says.
Some performers have traveled into L.A. from different areas for the present regardless of the remote-filming choice, however the spokesperson insists that each one of those folks have adopted “all safety protocols including pre-travel testing.” Along with the mask-wearing, testings, and distancing talked about earlier, the AMAs crew has and can proceed to present temperature-checking, and restricted production-zoning when on set, Rolling Stone is instructed.
One hefty query hangs in the air: Will there be restricted or no viewers members? “We’re assessing the situation as we go and will make the decision on show day,” the spokesperson says. “If we do have an audience, it will be very minimal, everyone will be following all outlined safety protocols including testing, and will wear face-coverings and be socially distanced — unless they live in the same household.” Unofficially, Rolling Stone has solely heard that, if there may be an viewers, there would lower than 100 members.
It’s additionally nonetheless not clear if there will likely be a commonplace crimson carpet. The spokesperson as a substitute describes that pre-show a part of the ordinary schedule as “a limited press experience” with “a significantly reduced media presence.” Whatever it’ll appear like, the crew stresses that “comprehensive social distancing rules” will likely be in place at the moment as effectively. When requested if there have been new rules with reference to performers, presenters and hair and make-up social distancing backstage, the spokesperson factors to there being “very specific ingress and egress protocols,” however wouldn’t elaborate. The spokesperson says there will likely be no communal inexperienced rooms or non-essential employees on the premises, although.
Dick Clark Productions efficiently produced the Academy of Country Music Awards in September and the Billboard Music Awards in October with out incident. However, as Deadline reported earlier this week, a number of AMAs crew members have already examined optimistic for the virus. “During our routine testing and onboarding process, less than a handful of crew have tested positive,” a consultant mentioned at the time. “In accordance with our strict protocols, upon a positive test result, that individual is immediately removed from production, contact tracing is conducted and disinfection is completed. Production is continuing safely and we look forward to an amazing show.”
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