NE NEWS SERVICE
MUMBAI, AUG 23
Members of the entertainment industry, including filmmaker Boney Kapoor, actor-producer JD Majethia, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, on Sunday hailed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resuming shooting of films and TV programmes announced by the Centre.
Today @MIB_India have released a detailed SOP for resuming work in the media production industry. The general principles behind the SOP will help create a safe working environment for cast and crew in the industry. pic.twitter.com/UU0NbqONeO
— Prakash Javadekar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@PrakashJavdekar) August 23, 2020
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar announced guiding principles and SOPs on preventive measures for media production to contain the spread of coronavirus.
These include measures such as social distancing and mandatory use of face cover or masks for cast and crew, except for actors in front of the camera.
Kapoor, who had Ajay Devgn-starrer “Maidaan” in production when the COVID-19 induced nationwide lockdown was announced in March, expressed gratitude towards the government.
“Big thank you to @PMOIndia @AmitShah @MoHFW_India @PrakadhJavadekar and @MIB_India for releasing SOP for resumption of work in media production industry. We look forward to resuming work safely (sic),” he tweeted.
Sharing details of the SOPs, Javadekar said barring those who are in front of the camera, all others will have to wear masks.
“We are laying down SOPs as per international experience, and with the consultation of the health ministry and the home ministry, we have issued these SOPs,” he said.
“This is an important aspect of the economy and it employs millions of people, therefore, we have issued this to facilitate now the production activity to resume. I am sure everyone will welcome this and all states will implement this,” said Javadekar.
The move comes three months after the Maharashtra government allowed shooting of films, TV serials and web series with conditions laid down to contain the spread of the pandemic.
Pandit, president of Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), said with the latest SOPs, the Centre has made it possible for the industry to consider filming across the country.
Indian Filmmaker @ashokepandit: The announcement a SOP by I &B Minister @PrakashJavdekar to the Indian Film Industry has come as a great relief as we can now resume our work and I am grateful to our Minister Prakash Javadekar for this gesture pic.twitter.com/7gOrIBj33x
— DD News (@DDNewslive) August 23, 2020
“Earlier we would hesitate thinking of going outstation to shoot because of lack of clarity. But now with these SOPs and Centre’s permission, we can go anywhere in the country and shoot. It’s an also morale boost to the industry which is anyway suffering a lot,” Pandit said.
BN Tiwari, president of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), said Centre’s decision is a “wholesome news” which stands to benefit those who were severely hit due to the lockdown.
सुचना एवं प्रसारण मंत्रालय ने रिलीज़ किया नया SOP। फिल्म एवं टीवी सीरियल शूटिंग के लिए नए निर्देश।
धन्यवाद् @PrakashJavdekar जी @SubhashGhai1 @BNTiwar16902945@Ashokdubey44 @Gangeshwaronwebhttps://t.co/Grps7a9d1K— Federation of Western India Cine Employees (@fwicemum) August 23, 2020
“Lakhs of workers, junior artistes, dancers, will benefit from this as it is an SOP which has directly come from the Centre. With this, the neediest will finally start getting work and the working procedure will be streamlined,” Tiwari said.
The I&B ministry’s SOPs state that physical distancing of at least six feet is to be followed as far as feasible at all locations at all times, while sitting, standing in queues, among others. These include places such as shoot locations, sound recording studios and editing rooms.
Aspects such as scenes, sequences, set-ups, camera locations, positions of various crew members, seating arrangements, food and catering arrangements, staggered meal timings should be planned while giving due consideration to physical distancing norms, according to the I&B ministry document.
Measures should be taken by the production team to involve a minimum number of cast and crew members during the shoot, the SOPs said.
Majethia, chairman, TV wing, Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), said the guidelines have been worked out in “great detail” and is aimed to ensure the utmost safety of the cast and crew.
“Now there is uniformity but they have also given the freedom to the states to be flexible as per their individual situation. It’s a fantastic point of view to have a policy during such times, giving flexibility to the state as well,” the actor-producer said.
The move will have ripple effects as several sectors stand to gain when shooting is resumed across the country, added Pandit.
“When the Centre announces something like this, it generates tremendous hope across sectors. In UP and Rajasthan, we have proper film based workers, junior artistes, technicians, carpenters, etc. When a shoot goes outdoors, the transport, hotel industry also benefit. So the entire chain will benefit,” he said.
When the Kollywood yet to react, Actor and Producer Vishal welcomes the SOP and said looking forward the Tamil Nadu government to announce the date to resume movie shooting on Sunday night. It is expected that the Kollywood will react tomorrow.
Thanks to the Central Govt for granting permission to resume Shoot & hopefully all Film Units will resume Shoot by following all Necessary Regulations for a Safe Environment….
Looking forward for the TN State Govt to announce the date to resume Movie Shoot….GB
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) August 23, 2020
Call to shoot at ASI-protected sites
Earlier on Thursday the Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel asked the film industry to shoot at ASI-protected sites to fullfill the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan policy of the government. The Minister assured the film industry that they will get permission to do so within 15-20 days of filing their online applications. “It would be difficult for the film industry to go to foreign destinations at this time, so we have suggested that they could go to the Northeast states,” Patel said in a FICCI event.
“It would also fulfil the PM’s appeal to people to visit various places in the country. I told them we will give permission in 15 to 20 days. They just have to apply online. I have appealed that it would be great if other than the high footfall sites, they could also shoot at less popular monuments suggested by us to give them a boost as well,” he said.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has over 3,000 monuments and sites that were reopened on July 6 after remaining shut during the coronavirus lockdown.
Currently, filming at ASI sites is permitted, but it involves a lot of paperwork and is time consuming, officials said.
“Since now the film industry cannot shoot abroad, the ministry will help in facilitating permissions from the states. If necessary we will coordinate with the Information and Technology ministry as well,” the minister said.
“It should be our united effort to first travel within our own country. Nothing is as beautiful as India. I want people to know about our ancient culture. We need to promote our country and its sites,” he added.
Presently, the request for filming/ video shoot along with camera crew is to be made by the applicant at least 15 days prior to the proposed date of shoot, the Minister said.
