| FilmPEI has continued working during the shut down to develop the PEI Film Industry and create a vision for moving forward. Although it’s impossible to know exactly what will happen we are hopeful we will achieve the bright future we were working toward prior to Covid-19.
Now, to answer some of your questions:
When will FilmPEI be opening?
FilmPEI, like all businesses, must adhere to the PEI Public Health Office’s regulations and have a COVID-19 focused operational plan in place prior to opening. We are doing that right now and intend on opening May 25th, 2020. That said, we will be opening gradually so we can get use to the cleaning protocols and limit the number of people in space at once. We will be asking members to make an appointment prior to coming to the facility. The doors will be locked and drop-ins will not be allowed until we are confident that we will be able to provide a safe environment for all our clients. We anticipate fully opening on June 1, 2020.
Can we rent gear?
Yes you will be able to rent gear. Thomas has created a protocol for gear rental that will require 72 hour notice (see below). Though gear will be sanitized all gear, in Phase 2, must be able to sit in quarantine for 48 hours to ensure it is not contaminated.
Can we rent the facilities?
Yes. But in Phase 2 facilities may only be used when FilmPEI staff are on site. Renters would need to follow strict protocols when using FilmPEI facilities. Rentals must be booked 72 hours before use. These restrictions may be lifted for Producer members later in Phase 3.
When will we be able to film and how do we film safely?
It is anticipated that full production will not be able to happen for a while. There is currently a consultation process happening across Canada to build a set protocol that will better guide productions. It is anticipated these will be available in early June. The Province will then assess and make the decision about opening PEI to larger productions.
As for the upcoming Phase 2 starting May 22nd:
According to PEI Public Health film companies and individual filmmakers, photographers, sound people, etc. will be allowed to operate in a limited capacity. Operational plans must be in place prior to activities as per Provincial guidelines (see below).
It’s important to note that FilmPEI will require gear renters to provide an overview of their activity including number of participants and their plan to operate within the guidelines of PEI Public Health. You can find a template here.
In general the rules are:
- people stay 6 feet apart outside and inside
- maximum 10 people congregating outdoors 6 feet apart
- inside maximum 5 people from your own household and 5 others (so if you are shooting for a client inside there should be no more than 5 people on your team and even then you must keep 6 feet apart from each other an your clients)
- DO NOT share equipment/items – a big one here is putting a lav mic onto a client – even giving a lav mic to a client to put on should not happen in this phase unless they are a part of your household
- DO NOT share drink/food/utensils
Social distancing means actors, camera operators and assistants, sound recordists all need to remain separated by 6 feet.
FilmPEI has some masks and gloves for members to use, however it is important to remember that these are not an alternative to SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Since Phase 3 is starting on June 1 can we shoot then?
Phase 3 will still require social distancing and so larger shoots still will not be possible until protocols are delivered to us by the Province. This phase does allow sharing equipment so giving someone a lav to put on would potentially be acceptable in this phase. We will know more soon.
Will FilmPEI be running workshops this summer?
In Phase 3 limited participant workshops that can accommodate social distancing rules may be an option. We are not that far with planning yet. We do plan on offering more producing, production management etc workshops on zoom.
Moving forward
It is imperative that filmmakers adhere to the guidelines put out by the PEI Public Health Office. It’s for the safety of our entire community. While we are waiting, FilmPEI continues working hard to ensure that we can build a vibrant film sector, safely. We just need to be patient.
Please understand that the above notes are based on today’s information. Covid-19 is unpredictable and so we must all be nimble and work with the guidelines we get at any given moment.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at director@filmpei.com with questions or suggestions. Thanks for your patience and I hope you are all well!
Renee
Renee Laprise
Executive Director
FilmPEI |
