The lockdown saw us working on various animation projects collaborating with teams overseas. With Bangalore opening up for shoots, we began receiving several scripts and shooting commenced.
The shoots we are now undertaking are unlike any other. Our Producers bear in mind the impending danger and the many precautions we are to take on set and during the complete course of production. We make sure our sets are as safe as it can be and our crew feel safe while doing their job. In order to accomplish this we give safety the utmost priority and do not compromise on any measures that we as a company need to take, even if that means denying a request from the client that can jeopardise the safety of the cast and crew.
We would like to take this opportunity to let you know of all the measures STOM Productions takes to ensure the safety of our crew. Here is a glimpse of what happens on our sets.
Location
Our Producers make sure that we only provide the client with locations that are massive and have tremendous outdoor space to allow zonal divisions on premises and can house the number of crew members the project demands.
Crew
We have made sure and continue to make sure that there is no one below the age of 15 and above the age of 60 on set. In case the script absolutely demands talent of this age group, the risks are informed to the client in prior and on mutual consent of the casting director, talent and full agreement of the client, a decision is taken.
Consent Forms
Those members of the agency, client and crew who would be present on set have to sign a consent form acknowledging their complete awareness of the ongoing pandemic. Members have to provide us details of their age, health condition, medications they are on, the shoots they have done in the past 14 days with the recorded temperature at that shoot, the production house details of the previous shoot they were on and their travel history. Anybody who has travelled even inter-district within 14 days from the date of shoot is not permitted on set. A sign off on the form would indicate their absolute consent to par take in the shoot despite being fully aware of the ongoing pandemic and the prescribed government regulations. The production team follows up on the entire crew and has them sign the form. Those that have not signed the form are prohibited from entering the set.
Safety Manager On Set
Our team now comprises of a Safety Manager, the personnel checks everybody’s temperature with a contactless thermometer and their oxygen levels are recorded. These details are kept in our database for future reference. PPE kits are then handed over to the crew. Those that have signed the consent forms are the only ones that would be allowed on set.
Safety Gear & Precautions
The set is divided into zones - Light Zone, Caterers & Spot Zone, Camera, Make Up, Styling, Art Holding Zone, Client/Agency and Director’s Zone to make sure there is minimum contact between those that inevitably have to work together. Each actor is given an individual room.
Those crew members who would be present on set have to mandatorily wear a PPE suit and a face shield along with a mask. If one denies to wear a PPE suit and has valid reasons and if the Production Team finds that the individual would have little to no contact with other members on set, the individual is allowed to enter with a face shield and mask. There are sanitisers at every entry and exit point and at each zone. Instructions on the safety precautions are outlined on posters displayed around the location. Proper instructions are given on disposing the PPE kits.
We also have first aid kits on location and if anyone is found to be sick or reports to the Production Team with symptoms, they are sent back immediately and have to mandatorily do the COVID-19 test. Every crew member has to download and show the Arogya Setu App to the Safety Manager.
Waste Disposal
Each individual is given a disposable bag for medical waste. Once the PPEs and all medical gear is sealed in each individual’s respective bags, the production team makes sure the waste is disposed in clinical waste bins and the carcasses are handled as little as possible.
Catering
We understand that this probably is the single most important part of our shoot alongside shooting the film itself and breaks are when the crew tend to mingle the most. To avoid this we have rolling breaks that have different sections of the crew taking breaks at different times. Corporate Lunch and Breakfast packages are served. It comes in sealed containers ordered from Swiggy-Safe kitchens. Caterers do not handle the contents of the packages. We do not have an agency table along with a differentiation of A-Crew and B-Crew buffets that we are aware that some clients prefer. If client and agency have a different food preference, the production crew will have it ordered from another Swiggy-Safe kitchen. This ensures minimal physical contact.
Transportation
We now have our own Taxi service with appropriate permits. We have begun this to ensure that all measures are taken care of while the cast and crew who opt to commute via our transport service, travel. We take utmost care to maintain all government prescribed safety precautions while travelling.
Along with this we have prescribed safety standards and measures that each department needs to carry out. So far our precautionary measures have been rated highly among clients and our crew.
We would like you to know that a shoot with us is as safe as it could get.
Please note: These rules and regulations are constantly evolving and are subject to change as and when the State and Central Government make amends to the safety protocol we need to follow. We are fully updated on the changing safety protocol and keep our crew informed of the same. The above mentioned procedure id as of 24 August, 2020.
BTS FROM VARIOUS SHOOTS WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN DURING THE ONGOING PANDEMIC
