The AICP has released an initial set of COVID-19 workplace guidelines for production and postproduction companies working in commercials and advertising content. Developed by a working committee comprised of members representing all facets of the industry, the guidelines are intended to steer the gradual process of resuming on-site production and postproduction work as federal, state and local governments begin the process of lifting shelter in place restrictions, and are being shared with all stakeholders in the advertising content creation space. To review the guidelines, click here.
Matt Miller, president and CEO of production and post trade association AICP, said the publication of this initial set of guidelines was a logical step forward for the production industry as governments, regulators and the business community formulate plans to emerge from pandemic-related shutdowns. “Everyone wants to get back to work, and signs are there that we’ll soon be able to resume certain activities, including production and returning to offices. We want to ensure our members have the tools and resources to do that in a safe and responsible manner,” Miller noted of this work-in-progress. “As such, it’s imperative that we formulate our own set of guidelines for getting back to work that are unique to our industry. We fully anticipate that these will be constantly updated as more information becomes available.”
To develop the initial version of the guidelines, AICP staff collaborated with a working group led by Andrew Colon, chief operating officer at SMUGGLER, and Andrea McIntyre, staff production supervisor of RadicalMedia, who solicited input that addressed the needs of both production and postproduction environments from a committee that included Eric Brown, Fixer Inc.; Sheila Eisenstein, Ruffian; Bonnie Goldfarb, harvest; Marian Harkness, Hungry Man; Michael Kaliski, Good Planet Innovation; Michael Moffett, PSN; Susan Munro, Hybrid; Caroline Pham, Iconoclast; Valerie Romer, Iconoclast; Clarissa Troop, Great Guns USA; and Carl Zucker, Carl Zucker Consulting.
The guidelines include a detailed section of general practices for all worksites that addresses such topics as exposure reduction, surface transmission mitigation and the reduction of commonplace touchpoints. The production-specific guidelines comprise an extensive list that addresses the needs of each department, from casting through to equipment handling, wardrobe, hair & makeup, video village, talent, unions and guilds and more. The postproduction-specific guidelines address such areas of concern as supervised sessions, studio procedures, client requirements and social distancing.
Miller stressed that these guidelines will be updated as new information on the coronavirus becomes available and as organizations such as the CDC amend their recommendations. They’ll also respond to actual workplace conditions once production and post companies resume operations and can see which function smoothly and where problems or issues arise. “This document is by no means complete, nor is it presented as such,” he noted. “It will be amended frequently as the world comes back to a certain level of normalcy, and experience is gained. Items will be added, removed and reconfigured as we get back to work and learn from experience.
“It’s safe to assume that the way we approach work will be forever changed,” Miller continued. “With leadership and planning, this can come from a place of innovation, and not concession. While we do not yet know how our new practices will dovetail with outside entities, communication and understanding of these new practices must foster confidence with all parties who are part of and involved in the process. These factors will evolve, as will our practices, but the basic premise of working with the safety of individuals in mind will remain a constant.”
