Next phase & beyond protocols, guidelines & what’s next

phase

The State of  Illinois and City of Chicago are now operating in Phase 3 of their respective reopening plans and there is a lot of film production news and information to share. In addition to the Chicago and Illinois Film Offices issuing Phase 3 film production guidelines, last Friday, SAG-AFTRA, DGA, IATSE, and the Teamsters released “The Safe Way Forward”, COVID 19 Safety Guidelines.    

Monday June 15th was the first day, the City of Chicago began to issue limited permits on a “case-by-case basis for crews limited to 10 people or fewer.” All film activity must follow the City of Chicago’s Be Safe Film and Television Production Guidelines. The document outlines the safety and health procedures approved by the Chicago Public Health Department required for film production in Phase 3.    

The Illinois Film Office also issued Film Production Guidelines for Phase 3. They are currently working with the Chicago Film Office to further develop guidelines for when larger productions can reopen. 

Cinespace Chicago Film Studios released their own set of Production Safety Guidelines and announced their partnership with ServPro, which will be the exclusive cleaning service allowed on campus. 

These updates come as the City and State move further into Phase 3 of Re-opening. Among the industries reopening- with strict safety guidelines- are: childcare businesses, libraries, bars and outdoor dining at restaurants.

You can read up on the State of Illinois Phase 3 plan here.    

You can learn more about the City of Chicago Phase 3 plan here 

Industry Updates & Safety Standards

The Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee released the anticipated “White Paper” with “proposed health and safety general guidelines for Motion Picture, Television, and Streaming Productions”.

The white paper, which was delivered to Governor Pritzker, covers everything from diagnostic testing and PPE to physical distancing in writer’s rooms and special considerations for performers. 

On Friday of last week, “The Safe Way Forward”,a Joint Report from theDGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and the Teamsters was released as a follow up to the Industry White Paper. The organizing principle provided in the document emphasized the need for testing, the addition of a Health Safety Supervisor and a Zone System as the foundation for safe set strategy.

While the White Paper offered a foundation for the appropriate state agencies to examine the resumption of production, and provides guidance Employers must follow for a safe working environment, it expressly contemplated the specific protocols… department specific procedures would be the subject of further discussions and agreements… The guidelines announced by the Unions and Guilds set forth four key components of those detailed protocols.

SOURCE: llinois Production Alliance