Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 30) — The crisis brought by coronavirus disease will change filmmaking as we know it, a movie producer has said.
Content producers are working to develop new guidelines for when they are able to resume production, Regal Films producer Roselle Monteverde told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Wednesday.
But Monteverde said she expects downscaled staff on set.
“We are expecting half of our staff only from over 100 to about 50 staff at any time on the set,” she said.
The feature film producer added that everyone’s health conditions will be monitored and social distancing rules observed.
Monteverde said they are also looking at “scheduling arrival of people and having individually packed meals” in film locations – which traditionally place people into tight spaces.
No more kissing scenes?
When asked if their movie outfit would temporarily do away with fight and intimate scenes, she replied that they will follow the government-issued guidelines, even if it means revising scripts.
Monteverde added that actors and actresses “have to be flexible with the new guidelines … with the new normal.”
Movies on streaming platforms
Since hundreds of movie theaters were shutdown by the COVID-19 outbreak, Monteverde said that traditional cinema-goers might find it safer to watch films at home, so they are exploring the possibility of a digital release – at least until a COVID-19 vaccine is available.
“We have to look at the consumer behavior, whether they’re willing to go to enclosed cinemas with recycled air, closed, air-conditioned places. So, that’s why we need to do sustainable— go to other platforms and distribution in new media.”
She added, “We need to come out with more content that is suitable for the new media as well.”
Localities considered moderate- and low-risk areas will be placed under general community quarantine from May 1 to 15. These areas will have more relaxed lockdown rules.
The Department of Trade and Industry has recommended that several non-essential businesses be allowed to reopen, and some activities, including video and television program production, be permitted to resume.
Meanwhile, the enhanced community quarantine has been extended until mid-May in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon (except for Aurora, which is under general community quarantine) and other cities and provinces where COVID-19 risk is considered high.
