BY NEIL RAMOS
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THE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led by its chair Liza Diño-Seguerra issued guidelines for film and TV outfits to help them adapt to the “new normal” with government now allowing them to resume work following the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ) on May 16.
Liza released the guidelines that each TV/film outfit should follow from pre-production, production/principal photography, and post-production in a recent Laging Handa press briefing.
Among others, Liza stressed the prohibition of scenes requiring simulated mass gatherings including “night club scenes, political rallies, mga concerts, parada, festivals, mga malalaking parties.”
“Siyempre, it involves people at mahihirapan tayong ma-control iyon dahil number one, ipinagbabawal sa atin ngayon iyon.”
The guidelines:
Before shoots:
- Movement/physical distancing restrictions.
- Maximum number of people on set must be limited to 50 people.
- Must provide history of travel within the last four weeks.
- Casting must be done remotely over video conferences or using self-tapes.
On set:
- A certified nurse must be present on set at all times.
- All shoot attendees must undergo temperature checks before entering the set.
- Anyone exhibiting mild or severe symptoms of COVID-19 is not permitted entry to the set.
- A skeleton workforce system must be utilized to limit numbers of cast and crew on set.
- The production company must provide face masks to its cast and crew.
- Camera/s must be two meters away from a talent at all times.
- All holding areas for talents and crew must be set up outside, if possible, for better ventilation.
- Interior spaces must have enough ventilation.
On set sanitation and hygiene:
- There must be handwashing areas on the set.
- Any wardrobe to be used must be certified to have undergone deep cleaning before and after the shoot.
Food and catering:
- All drinks must be in single-serve containers, i.e. water bottles and cans.
- Sit-down meals must be set up to have a one-meter distance between seats.
Scene restrictions:
- Mass gatherings are restricted:
E.g. a night club scene, church congregation, political demonstration, parades and festivities, sports and any public tournaments, large concerts, and championship games.