IMPPA SENDS TO C.M. MAHARASHTRA UDDHAV THACKERAY SCHEDULE OF PRODUCTION TO ASK PERMISSION FOR STARTING OF SHOOTING

Jyothi Venkatesh

In a letter addressed to Shri Uddhav Thackeray Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Anil Nagrath Secretary, IMPPA for and on behalf of T.P. Aggarwal, President, IMPPA introduced IMPPA as  the oldest and largest association of all Entertainment content like Feature Film, TV serial, Web series, Documentaries, Short films, Music albums and all kinds of Digital content etc. in various languages, wrote “Our more than 70 producer members had projects on the floor in Mumbai and whose work is totally held up who need support, help and co-operation of the Maharashtra Government and we are sure you will kindly to do everything required to provide relief to our members. The Coronavirus pandemic has made it a necessity to make guidelines to create a new way of working.We are providing hereunder the basic methods for controlling the spread of the virus and would request your kind self to kindly allow shooting as per these guides so that our members as well as artists,technician, and workers get immediate relief general precautions".

1. Hand washing & sanitizing is mandatory for everyone on entry, exit & amp; during the shoot.
2. Each crew member will be provided with a triple layer medical mask & gloves which will be mandatory to wear during the entire shoot.
3. Do not leave used masks unattended and dispose them off in the bins provided on location.
4. Avoid handshakes, hugs and kisses and other physical greetings.
5. Designated people will only be allowed to open doors.
6. Proper training about precautions to be taken during the shoot to be given to all involved in the shoot. Carry out a drill every day with entire staff regarding precautions so that it becomes a habit.
7. Crew, artists & participants will be called at-least 45 mins prior to shoot to ensure thorough implementation of safety precautions.
8. Precautions to be taken about maintaining proper distance between various people on shooting location so that any containment of virus through close contact is avoided.
9. Create floor markings on the locations for everyone to stand so the people maintain social distancing in a systematic manner.
10. It is advisable to give priority to portable chairs over standard benches.
11. Displaying Posters to develop consciousness about preventive steps and promoting hygiene,along with emergency helpline number, at easily noticeable / strategic places on shooting sets /dining place / edit rooms / fresh rooms. etc.
12. Complete studio will be sanitized daily before the shoot.
13. Adequate hand sanitizer dispensers to be kept at all entry & exit points along with the cafeteria, vanity vans etc. so as to be used throughout the shoot by all crew members.
14. Portable washbasin to be strategically placed at all operational clusters for easy access to soap & water.
15. Keep the restrooms clean and sanitized at all times. Make sure there are enough sanitizers and hand wash at all times.
16. Monthly swab test like microbiology labs to check the sanitization of studio, sets and office.
17. Dedicated Covid help on set to make sure that all the sanitization, check in, check out, on-set hygiene and safety procedures are maintained.
18. Encourage a work-from-home strategy where possible.
19. People over the age of 60, or with co- morbidities and health issues to work from home.
20. A fitness or declaration form to be signed and submitted by all talent and crew, informing the production team about their health status and exposure to Covid -19 at the time of booking / signing up for a project & again on arrival at the set.
21. Every crew / cast member should undergo temperature measurement with a contactless thermometer before entering the set. Human body temperature limits must be in accordance to the specific health regulations set by the government.
22. Anyone with a high temperature cannot enter the set; once the personnel have been screened and cleared for work, they will be provided with a wrist band indicating that they are safe to proceed to work.
23. Adequate number of masks will be provided to crew member over the 12-hour long shoot day.applies to every person present on the shoot, including external contractors. The face shields are a good option to cover the face, especially for artists, make-up and hair people when in close proximity.
24. An alternative to face masks for actors and crew is a protective half mask with inhalation and exhalation filter (easier breathing, filters can be cleaned, masks disinfected, higher protection standard than FFP3 and the crew member lasts longer when wearing it).It means lower costs,especially with a high number of filming days ahead. Should be worn primarily by actors and crew members having a negative Covid-19 test.
25. Lightman or anyone handling other equipment to be provided industrial hand gloves with proper training about their usage. Construction department and other designated individuals must wear protective gloves. Crew members leaving the filming location (e.g. production,drivers or runners, etc.) must be equipped with protective gloves to prevent contamination of the filming area.
26. Doctor and a certified nurse must be available on call.
27. Ambulance will be on stand-by at all the times.
28. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms must not be permitted on set.
29. Anyone developing symptoms while at work should immediately be isolated in the designated isolation room on set. The Doctor and Nurse on call should be immediately called to monitor symptoms and inform concerned authorities.
30. Hand sanitizing must be done before and after each make-up application. All products and tools must be cleaned and disinfected before use.
31. No extra person will be allowed with the Artist except for their Hair and Make-up in the vanity van.
32. Prop team to follow strict sanitization protocols. Sanitize props before they enter theset/location amp; during filming, all props that come into contact with the technical and artistic crews should be disinfected before and after each scene.
33. The set construction as well as the props collection and return should take place before / after the actual shoot.
34. Any garments to be used by the talent must have been duly disinfected beforehand.
35. Work with professional laundries who use special disinfectants for washing.
36. Each talent will only use the clothes allocated to him / her and they can never exchange clothes without having them properly disinfected beforehand.
37. In the case of stuntmen, specialists or precision drivers, they must have their own clothes and at no time may they use the cast clothes without having them properly disinfected beforehand.
38. During filming, all tools and equipment must be disinfected as often as possible. Lapel mics must be duly disinfected after each scene.
39. Before and after each day, walkies talkies must be disinfected. The walkie-talkie communication protocol should be optimized in order to minimize the interaction of people’s hands and mouths with the equipment. They should be non- transferable and non-exchangeable during the shoot.
40. It is recommended to use mobile technologies via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or intercom for any internal crew communications on the set. If possible, each individual must use their own ear piece.
41. During filming, all tools and equipment must be disinfected as often as possible.
42. All the Camera, grip and electrical equipment should be delivered to the shoot with adisinfection certificate issued by the supplier.
43. All catering and craft personnel to wear appropriate gloves and mask at all times when preparing or handling food.
44. Staff members may be ideally advised to carry home prepared food.
45. Make sure that food can be distributed in a take-away fashion. Use of disposable items – plates should be encouraged.
46. Only water bottles should be provided to the crew.
47. Ensure that there is enough space for the whole crew while eating.
48. Food must be served in small batches i.e. meal times should be staggered such that social distancing norms are followed and crowding in eating areas is reduced considerably.
49. Crew above the age of 60 years should be avoided at least for three months from the date of shooting as and when it starts and cast above the age of 60 years should be judicially used.
50. Key crew members, actors and other professions that are difficult to replace should be separated from the rest of the crew (e.g. they must have their private separate spaces.
51. Artist will remain in their rooms until required on set. Hair and Make-up personnel will be wearing mask and gloves, which will be mandatory to wear during the entire shoot.
52. Artist staff will not be allowed in the studio except in case of emergency. Designated seating area will be created for staff members and for drivers; chairs will be allotted at 6 ft. each.
53. No unnecessary guest / visitors will be allowed to enter the sets.
54. All actors, stuntmen and possibly extras who come into contact with the actors should prove their state of health with a negative COVID-19 test. For the tests to be relevant, it is essential that actors after testing adhere to the quarantine rules.
55. Actors, stunt doubles and stuntmen being part of the scenes with actors must undergo testing just like actors and follow the same rules.
56. Negative test in combination with following the quarantine rules can replace wearing a face mask when necessary for the key crew members.
57. All daily wage workers have to be paid their wages daily.

Anil Nagrath , Secretary, IMPPA for and on behalf of T.P. ggarwal, Presdient, IMPPA concludes the letter thus. “We request your kindself to kindly note the above and permit starting of work in the entertainment Industry.”