Hey guys! I’m back in L.A. from my shoot in Utah, and there is so much I want to be able to share with you, and I was actually delaying filming this video because I was hoping that by now we would have announced something in the press and I could talk about it [the project], but we haven’t…so for now mum’s still the word! But what I will share with you today is that this project was one of the best professional experiences of my life, and I know that’s a big statement to make but it’s true...
On set, there was an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Everyone was so happy to be there, so happy to be working, so supportive of one another, and it was really wonderful. So in the midst of these challenging times, there is such opportunity to also experience really beautiful times. So I wish I could share more details on it (I can’t wait until I’m able to) but for the sake of this video, I am going to be going over 4 areas that I think encapsulate what’s different about being on set and what you can expect in this “covid world”.
Now, bear in mind that every production is going to vary in how they handle the new protocols that are in place, so I can only share with you my personal experience with this particular production. But suffice it to say that in my conversations with other actors who are working on set currently, it comes down to 4 main areas of protocol:
Quarantine:
Now, I did an entire video on Quarantine, so if you’re watching this video right now and you haven’t yet seen that one, perhaps pause this video, go watch that one, then come back to this one. Because that video pretty much covers it all, and it’s also a little goofy so you’ve been warned!
Whether or not you’re actually going to have to do a 2-wk isolated quarantine is really dependent upon the circumstances of your booking and whether or not you had to travel, as well as what that particular state’s (your destination state) restrictions are may affect how long you’ll have to quarantine. In my situation, because I flew into Utah from Los Angeles – according to that particular state’s travel laws right now in relation to the Coronavirus – I was required to isolate for 14 days. But if you are a local actor here in Los Angeles and for example, you book a guest star role on a show that shoots here locally, you’re [likely]not going to need to quarantine for 2 wks, but you will be tested for Covid-19.
Testing:
You can expect to be tested for Covid-19 prior to showing up to set your first day – whether it is a nasal test or in my case, a saliva test – and it can possibly affect your employment if your test shows a positive result. So, all the more reason to practice good safety and common sense on a daily basis to ensure your optimal health prior to booking any acting role, period!
Amount of testing: if you are only contracted to be on set for one day, you’re probably only going to be tested once. If it’s a weeklong contract, you might be tested 2-3 times. In my case, since I was contracted for multiple weeks I was tested every 2 days – and sometimes twice/day every 2 days – because, as we know, there have been a lot of false positives, so it was very wise of production to administer 2 tests just in case one of them showed up positive, that would help them determine more if it was a false positive.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
This will be mandatory: masks, gloves, and whatever else that particular production requires in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Separation:
You know in the “old days” when you book a show and you show up to set, and lunchtime rolls around? You could go under a big tent with everyone, eat your lunch and socialize, and perhaps sit next to a producer or whomever and have a chance to get to know everyone? Yeah, that doesn’t happen now, because separation is part of what helps to keep you safe. In our production, when lunch arrived, we [the cast] were escorted individually to the catering truck to get our lunch, then escorted back to our designated holding area. In my case, I was escorted back to my dressing room and I ate lunch by myself! So that’s a little sad, because a large part of the tradition of getting to know everyone else in the cast and in the production is mealtime.
Some productions have what are called “pods” and they divide them up into Pod “A” or Pod “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” – and these pods represent certain cast members and/or crew members that are designated for that particular pod, and they can only be around each other.
Hanging out on set, even with a mask on, to watch other actors’ scenes? Nope, that’s also strongly discouraged, and everyone’s really nice about it. I kinda learned this the hard way because I like to watch other people’s work! So I was hanging out when the 2nd AD came up to me and said, “Christinna, um…do you need anything? Would you like me to escort you back to your room?” In other words, Go back to your room you’re putting yourself at risk!
If you are not in rehearsal or shooting a scene [or in hair/makeup], you are to be in your room or designated holding area and this is for the safety of yourself and everyone else on set. So it can feel a little isolated yes, because it is! But separation is there for a reason. If an actor tests positive, it can delay production. If one crewmember tests positive, it can delay production – and our production was delayed twice.
Separation is an important protocol that helps keep you healthy and to ensure the least amount of risk. But it’s also a bit of a bummer because if you’re like me and you like to hang out on set and you like to walk around and talk to people when you’re not shooting or in rehearsal, you don’t get to do that anymore. Not until we’re thru this phase with this virus. For now, what matters the most is we are getting back to work…and that – well, that indeed is a beautiful thing.
I hope you found this information helpful, and I hope it gives you better insight and a clearer picture of what you can expect when you show up to set the next time.
In case I don’t see you before the year is over – because I intend to focus the next month or so thru this holiday season really connecting with my family and spending as much quality time as possible – in case I don’t see you, I wish you love, I wish you connection, I wish you joy, I wish you peace, I wish you health, and I wish you happiness.
As always...Be good to yourself, be good to the world – and I’ll catch you next time!
Now, bear in mind that every production is going to vary in how they handle the new protocols that are in place, so I can only share with you my personal experience with this particular production. But suffice it to say that in my conversations with other actors who are working on set currently, it comes down to 4 main areas of protocol:
- Quarantine
- Testing
- PPE
- Separation
Quarantine:
Now, I did an entire video on Quarantine, so if you’re watching this video right now and you haven’t yet seen that one, perhaps pause this video, go watch that one, then come back to this one. Because that video pretty much covers it all, and it’s also a little goofy so you’ve been warned!
Whether or not you’re actually going to have to do a 2-wk isolated quarantine is really dependent upon the circumstances of your booking and whether or not you had to travel, as well as what that particular state’s (your destination state) restrictions are may affect how long you’ll have to quarantine. In my situation, because I flew into Utah from Los Angeles – according to that particular state’s travel laws right now in relation to the Coronavirus – I was required to isolate for 14 days. But if you are a local actor here in Los Angeles and for example, you book a guest star role on a show that shoots here locally, you’re [likely]not going to need to quarantine for 2 wks, but you will be tested for Covid-19.
Testing:
You can expect to be tested for Covid-19 prior to showing up to set your first day – whether it is a nasal test or in my case, a saliva test – and it can possibly affect your employment if your test shows a positive result. So, all the more reason to practice good safety and common sense on a daily basis to ensure your optimal health prior to booking any acting role, period!
Amount of testing: if you are only contracted to be on set for one day, you’re probably only going to be tested once. If it’s a weeklong contract, you might be tested 2-3 times. In my case, since I was contracted for multiple weeks I was tested every 2 days – and sometimes twice/day every 2 days – because, as we know, there have been a lot of false positives, so it was very wise of production to administer 2 tests just in case one of them showed up positive, that would help them determine more if it was a false positive.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
This will be mandatory: masks, gloves, and whatever else that particular production requires in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Separation:
You know in the “old days” when you book a show and you show up to set, and lunchtime rolls around? You could go under a big tent with everyone, eat your lunch and socialize, and perhaps sit next to a producer or whomever and have a chance to get to know everyone? Yeah, that doesn’t happen now, because separation is part of what helps to keep you safe. In our production, when lunch arrived, we [the cast] were escorted individually to the catering truck to get our lunch, then escorted back to our designated holding area. In my case, I was escorted back to my dressing room and I ate lunch by myself! So that’s a little sad, because a large part of the tradition of getting to know everyone else in the cast and in the production is mealtime.
Some productions have what are called “pods” and they divide them up into Pod “A” or Pod “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” – and these pods represent certain cast members and/or crew members that are designated for that particular pod, and they can only be around each other.
Hanging out on set, even with a mask on, to watch other actors’ scenes? Nope, that’s also strongly discouraged, and everyone’s really nice about it. I kinda learned this the hard way because I like to watch other people’s work! So I was hanging out when the 2nd AD came up to me and said, “Christinna, um…do you need anything? Would you like me to escort you back to your room?” In other words, Go back to your room you’re putting yourself at risk!
If you are not in rehearsal or shooting a scene [or in hair/makeup], you are to be in your room or designated holding area and this is for the safety of yourself and everyone else on set. So it can feel a little isolated yes, because it is! But separation is there for a reason. If an actor tests positive, it can delay production. If one crewmember tests positive, it can delay production – and our production was delayed twice.
Separation is an important protocol that helps keep you healthy and to ensure the least amount of risk. But it’s also a bit of a bummer because if you’re like me and you like to hang out on set and you like to walk around and talk to people when you’re not shooting or in rehearsal, you don’t get to do that anymore. Not until we’re thru this phase with this virus. For now, what matters the most is we are getting back to work…and that – well, that indeed is a beautiful thing.
I hope you found this information helpful, and I hope it gives you better insight and a clearer picture of what you can expect when you show up to set the next time.
In case I don’t see you before the year is over – because I intend to focus the next month or so thru this holiday season really connecting with my family and spending as much quality time as possible – in case I don’t see you, I wish you love, I wish you connection, I wish you joy, I wish you peace, I wish you health, and I wish you happiness.
As always...Be good to yourself, be good to the world – and I’ll catch you next time!