Drive yourself to the film set, actors advised

ACTORS should ditch chauffeurs and drive themselves to set, production guidance aimed at reviving Britain’s film and television industry has advised. They are also encouraged to avoid performing face-to-face if possible.

The British Film Commission’s production guidance for film and high-end television drama follows a global industry consultation and has been welcomed by the Government.

The guidance is advisory rather than mandatory, with producers encouraged to apply the recommendations according to each project’s needs.

Production has ground to a halt all over the world, putting thousands of people out of work.

The guidance suggests all cast and crew should be given Covid-19 safe working induction training, and a specific Covid-19 health and safety supervisor allocated for all productions.

Cast and crews should have daily symptom checks and productions are encouraged to consider designating a trained person to take each crew member’s temperature daily.

Markers will be laid out on sets to accommodate social distancing and where distancing is not possible, the amount of time spent in close proximity should be limited and people will be told to avoid standing face-to-face.

Instead, they will be encouraged to work side by side or back to back. Cast members should also be given individual trailers and must not share personal items.

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of the British Film Commission, said: “We believe this to be the most comprehensive, extensively consulted-on Covid-19 recovery production guidance in the world.”