Are film permits being issued, enabling lensing to go on in your jurisdiction and if so, under what circumstances and with what, if any, requirements?
The Illinois Film Office does not issue film permits; our focus is delivering the 30% Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Program, and leveraging our state’s resources to attract film projects and grow film production infrastructure in Illinois. Film permitting is handled at the local level – and our Office coordinates with local officials to support new and returning film projects in gaining all requisite approvals to do business here.
Within your jurisdiction/territories, are any regions/areas in particular more conducive to filming in light of the pandemic? How have those areas made themselves more able to safely host lensing?
Illinois is open for business, and has worked hard over the past year to implement public health protections to keep communities safe and support a robust return of the film industry. On June 22, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker and our public health officials released business reopening guidance for film and a number of other industries through the Restore Illinois program to support a safe return of workers. Working with public health officials and business representatives, guidelines were developed to keep workers and customers safe as the economy recovers. Today, more than 2,000 film workers have returned to set throughout Illinois.
Since that time, film production in Illinois has bounced back to pre-production levels – with new and returning projects underway in the City of Chicago and in locations statewide. In the first quarter, production reached pre-pandemic levels in Illinois, and has since surpassed 2019 film production levels. This includes a return of iconic shows and movies, including NBCUniversal’s “One Chicago” shows, multiple TV pilots, the latest installment of Batman and a Disney holiday film. Several exciting new productions from HBO, Amazon, Apple, and Netflix are scheduled for summer and fall 2021.
How have your procedures, modus operandi, process and responsibilities changed in light of the pandemic?
Everything has changed since the pandemic, with safety guidelines instituted through the Restore Illinois plan, informed by the latest health data, are making it possible for film studios to do what they do while protecting the safety of crews. Film industry guidelines, created with input from industry and labor, require crews to be tested regularly, enhanced cleaning and other procedures seen on sets across the country these days. Here in Illinois, our diligence on COVID-19 safety is paying off, with the state on track to reaching a full reopening – Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan – in the coming weeks.
Are certain kinds of productions generally more feasible during this time? Commercials and shorter duration projects, for example.
Production of all types have returned to Illinois. Since Season 4 of Fargo returned to production in August of 2020, Illinois has been home to TV series, features, TV pilots, and commercials.
What advice or guidance have you to offer to the production community at large during these challenging times?
As most productions are aware, you must budget for a COVID-19 safety team and adhere to the protocols established by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Film Industry as a whole. Our continued vigilance on safety is what will allow the industry to continue thriving here in Illinois.
What’s your biggest takeaway or lessons learned from your experience dealing with production during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Working together with industry stakeholders we were able to bring film production safely. The collaboration between government and the industry has led to a safer production environment, something we could not have done without industry feedback and support.
