ADVISORY PANEL: COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR TV AND FILM PRODUCTION
As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, one of the biggest issues is misinformation. Experts provide data to the media and other communication outlets to assure accurate information reaches the general public. Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray, Director of the Tourism Crisis Management Initiative at the University of Florida is one of these experts who shares this mission. Dr. Pennington-Gray recently served as one of four members on the Advisory Panel for “Covid-19 Recommendations and Resources for the Television and Film Production Community”, compiled by Michelle Poe.
Other members on the Advisory Panel include Dr. Ben Chapman, professor and food safety extension specialist at North Carolina State University, Dr. Seema Yasmin, Director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative and science correspondent for Conde Nast Entertainment and medical analyst for CNN, and Dr. Anne Rimoin, Professor of Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and Infectious Disease Division of the Geffen School of Medicine, who has been engaged in pandemic preparedness and response for more than two decades.
The virtual guidebook provides an overview of Covid-19 and details about the tests including types and meaning of results, general hygiene and prevention measures. Focusing on the film and television industries, the document includes specific guidelines for production offices, trailers and tents, as well as communal areas (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms). Even more specific guidelines for casting sessions and on-set are provided including dressing rooms and make up/hair, sound operation and communication devices, tools, contact list of individuals on-set together for contact tracing purposes, etc. Furthermore, the report includes guidance on food safety, catering and craft services. Directions on meetings, events and travel are also part of the document. Although it is likely that the team should be free of issues if prevention guidelines are properly followed, the advisory panel provides resources for response to an infectious outbreak if individuals become ill at work, including transportation and testing protocols, and self-quarantine of infected team members and others who were in close contact with them, in addition to proper disinfection of facilities. The report also includes an extensive list of resources which link to websites of official organizations, government, medical associations, academic and other studies and reliable news sources.
Dr. Pennington-Gray will continue to assist the tourism and related industries with her expertise in Tourism Crisis Management throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Her upcoming involvement will be with the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola on Saturday, June 27. Click here for more information about her past and future presentations.