In this behind‑the‑scenes audio from a two‑day studio shoot in August 2020, director Stewart Cohen and crew members discuss how SC Pictures adapted a film production to the COVID‑19 pandemic. They detail the safety measures enforced on set—including Texas and union guidelines, mandatory masks, social distancing, hand‑sanitizer stations, temperature and medical checks, and frequent surface sanitization. Because clients and agencies cannot be present physically, the team uses video streaming and an iPad to give remote stakeholders a live view of the set and enable real‑time communication. Craft services and lunch delivery are restructured to eliminate self‑service tables, with pre‑ordered, individually labeled meals and strict distancing during meals. Makeup and other departments adopt heightened sanitation practices. Throughout, crew members express confidence, comfort, and enthusiasm about returning to work safely under these protocols, highlighting a positive morale and a collective commitment to keeping the production on schedule while protecting health.
Chapters
305 Apple, take 1. Marker. Excuse me, ma'am. Oh! If your power ever goes out in a storm—
Hey, I'm Stewart. We are in the middle of a 2-day shoot in a studio that's locked down. Everyone's being responsible. We are as safe as you could humanly be, and everyone's really pulling together to make this project great.
All right, guys, bring it on around. We're following the Texas safety guidelines. We're also still following union safety guidelines, which means masks and social distancing at all times. Stay within your own department. We have hand sanitizers placed all around the set. Continue to wash your hands frequently.
I'm here today doing medical checks and temperature checks for the cast and the crew to make sure that everybody is within the regulations.
I mean, it adds, you know, a couple of more steps into the procedure to wipe things down, any surfaces, props and stuff that might be used on the set. But we still always try to move forward as efficiently as possible and as a cohesive team.
Since we're not bringing client and agency to set, I'm providing video to wherever they are, and they're able to communicate with each other.
The technology is working beautifully. They're seeing the screen, they're seeing the whole set. I mean, I have an iPad right there, and I just start talking to them. What do you think, guys?
I think that's awesome. Cool. I think it's great. Okay, great.
Thanks.
Craft service now is no longer a self-service table. I'm handing everyone everything, so it's not 40 different people touching things.
It's only me, and I'm being extra cautious with sanitation.
Lunch is ordered ahead of time and it has their name on it so other people aren't touching it. Everybody sits at least 6 feet apart.
As a makeup artist, we've always used sanitary precautions. Now it's kind of next level, so I feel really comfortable and I think the talent feels really comfortable.
Everybody feels good to be back at work. I think that's the main thing. We're all happy to be here and working. Stewart's keeping us safe while he's keeping us busy, and we're having a lot of fun.
I am very confident that we can continue to work like this, and we're ready to do lots more.
We love you guys. We couldn't imagine doing this without you. Well, thank you guys for supporting this and sitting at home all day for 2 days. It was great. They're gonna be great spots.
