Being front and centre on film sets, I can relate completely. Our shoot had all eyes on us on how to shoot during Covid.
I can attest to the new, severe difficulties and circumstances of Covid protocols. I have employed the same fire in my voice as Mr. Cruise when addressing my crew. It is normal to do so in my position.
However, NEVER. take it out on ANYONE. ALWAYS be global with your speech to an audience of many. You will inspire everyone instead of alienate someone.
But after a while, even my composure is tested and I find it hard to tell Mike for the ninth time today, a 65 year old man who has been making movies since he was 18 and working with his buddy on my set, to self-distance Mike. Please. We could get shut down. You don’t understand. Mike. It’s a matter of life and death. The tone of my voice shakes Mike to the core with grief as he suddenly realizes the minefield he’s in, and the prospects of loss. For who hasn’t lost in this way.
Or the two early twenty year old people who are obviously in the process of falling in love with one another on day two of production, to self-distance... please... departments can’t mix. You have to stay in your designated pods...
But everyone is staying at the same hotel... so...
...and it’s always obvious the next day.
So a Picture car comes in. Picture car owner gets out. Covid crew disinfects. Actors sit in for blocking. Everyone watches, self-distanced. Actors out. Covid crew disinfects. Gaffer goes in to instal the lights. Gaffer out. Covid crew disinfects. Camera department comes in to instal the camera gear. Camera department out. Covid crew disinfects. Sound crew comes in and installs their gear. Sound crew out. Covid crew disinfects. Director and Director of Photography in the back, two actors in the front. Can’t smoke. Covid travels on particles. Windows down at all times for airing.
aaaaaand.....
ACtion.
.............
.........aaaaaaaaand CUT.
two three times of that...
Everyone out. Masks on actors. Covid crew disinfects. Picture car owner gets in the car. Can’t shake hands goodbye.
Next set is 10 kilometres away.
Ok who is going with who?
Covid team screams: no one can travel with anyone that they have not been designated a car to.
ARRRG....
Calculated that a 12 hour day is now 8 hours of actual work.
But the industry is 90% shut down anyways so...