Resurrecting filmmaking in our region

By the time this article goes to print, the Industry White Paper will be out. An incredibly detailed protocol of set etiquette from the task force made up of studios, unions, and officials will be ready to adopt. Filming will be alive again. However, it will be in a very controlled environment and appear more like a NASA science experiment then a set. As the film commissioner of Humboldt and Del Norte counties, I will have the task of presenting the information to my region and helping productions with their permit applications. I will not oversee who gets to film or not. That is someone else’s job. But it will not matter. I will still have many sleepless nights.

Just like everyone in the county, state, country, and around the world, I am trying to balance work and public safety. We all know that the economy has taken a hit, and many are not doing well financially. We also know that the virus means business and we cannot take it lightly. So how do we find a middle ground between protecting our health and the health of others and the health of the economy? Almost as importantly, how do we do so and not feel guilty for our part in any of it?

I will be a messenger. I will provide information to my locals. I will let them know when productions want to film here. And the world will turn. The gamble is real. And none of us know how long this will go for or what is the best approach regarding timing of it all when it comes to balancing the economy and life. So, what is a business to do?

At the film commission, we know how important our role is to stimulate the economy. We also know how important it is to protect our precious resources (i.e., the environment, our rural way of life, and most importantly our locals). Again, what is a business to do? I do not envy all our local business owners and their difficult task of opening with a protection plan and keeping fingers crossed nothing goes wrong. I, too, will have to cross my fingers. But only after doing my due diligence. I will have to trust that the problem solvers have done their job and that we can co-exist. Business and health. Delicate balance, I know.

I hope that everyone else running their businesses in the region knows they are not alone. We will collectively give a sigh of relief when we are past this point in history. Until then I wish nothing but wise decision making, sound judgements, and many nights of sleep.

I hope that everyone else running their businesses in the region knows they are not alone. We will collectively give a sigh of relief when we are past this point in history. Until then I wish nothing but wise decision making, sound judgements, and many nights of sleep.