Zululand Observer - Weekender

No kissing or close contact on film sets

- Wellington Makwakwa

THE South African film and television industry has resumed production of new episodes after being in lockdown for over a month owing to the coronaviru­s pandemic.

Production companies were given the green light to start filming last week, but strict regulation­s will apply.

The industry has been in standstill with all filming suspended, which has resulted in broadcaste­rs running out of episodes.

But while shouts of ‘lights, camera and action’ will again be heard from this week, it won’t be business as usual.

Hit Mzansi Magic telenovela­s such as The River, Isibaya and The Queen, as well as the new show Gomora, have officially confirmed their return to set.

They have also agreed to adhere to the level 4 national lockdown regulation­s put in place for their safety during filming.

According to the latest published Covid-19 regulation­s, broadcaste­rs such as the SABC, eTV and M-Net channels must follow certain rules, which include limiting on-set cast and crew to 50 people.

Intimate scenes such as kissing or any close contact between actors and crew have been banned.

All crew and cast have to wear face masks or face shields on studio lots and only take them off when in front of the camera.

Writers, producers and directors have been tasked to be more creative and include the pandemic in their story lines.

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