Configuring a Pandemic-Friendly In-Person Interview Set

Author | Josh Whitaker

Although there seems to be a light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel provided by an increasing number of reports about successful vaccine trials, a recent report by the Los Angeles Times demonstrates that the dangers of the virus continue to be very real. In August, a 51-year-old assistant director who had been working on a commercial shoot died of cardiac arrest related to the coronavirus.

While it is unclear whether he contracted the virus on set, his death is a stark reminder of the necessity to institute strict protocols to protect those on normally bustling film sets. During the Covid crisis, much of the world of interviews has gone digital, but there remain situations when face-to-face interviews seem to be the more efficient choice, particularly as we’ve discovered the limitations of online production.

Because filming is difficult with masks on, front-of-the-camera talent is at particular risk working in tight spaces that are often crowded. Now then is the time to get creative and to structure protocols to keep all those working on interview sets safe.

How to Maintain Safety for All during an Interview

Put someone in charge:

Don’t assign extra duties to those who are already overworked and stressed. The most effective studios in controlling the virus have assigned a COVID officer whose sole duties involve dealing with virus protection.

This person should be in charge of creating protocols and clearly communicating them to all involved parties (it’s a good idea to provide protocols in the call sheet and then review them at the first shoot meeting).

Guidelines for creating protocols can be found at “Safe Way Forward.”

The COVID officer should be in charge of enforcing testing, social distancing, and mask-wearing procedures; ensuring that Personal protective equipment such as hand sanitizer, spare masks, gloves, and hand-washing stations are available; and creating schedules to minimize crowds and contact.

Keep Interviews Small

Because front-of-the-camera personnel are at the greatest risk when they are not wearing masks during interviews, minimizing the number of people with whom they must come into contact is crucial. Some studios are choosing locations where it is much easier to control access and are scheduling groups in rotations to minimize personnel overlap.

For example, set builders and prop people don’t need to be on set at the same time as on-air talent, so they can be scheduled separately from others.

Another method to minimize contact has been to encourage front of camera personnel to do their own hair and makeup. Advisors can video-conference to talk them through the process when necessary. If these high-touch activities are necessary, be sure to establish clear protective protocols and to communicate them to all parties involved.

Control the Interview/Production Space

For interview shoots where personnel can’t be reduced, consider moving outdoors to provide more airflow. And be sure to establish strict protocols that minimize overlapping use of equipment. With cameras, for example, only one person should be assigned to each camera and the camera should be thoroughly cleaned after use.

You can also keep safe social distancing by using boom mics and designing the interview set with space in mind.

For longer shoots, you may want to consider choosing a remote location and asking all personnel to quarantine in one location for the duration of the shoot. With good testing protocols in place, this can be a very effective way to keep staff safe.

Finally, keep the small things in mind.

How will you serve food to those on set while maintaining safety precautions? Who will be in charge of sterilizing high touch areas on the set? How and where will testing procedures be conducted and in what way will those cleared be identified on set. Who has complicating conditions that make them more vulnerable and how can you add layers of protection for them?

If the short history of Covid-19 has demonstrated anything, it’s that when we actually follow safety procedures, our chances of infection drop dramatically. If you must move forward with face-to-face interviews, then thorough preventative measures can help decrease the likelihood of a production-stopping outbreak or, even worse, a tragic loss of life.

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Ivan Young is a writer from Advance Online, an online health and safety training provider.