On Thursday, a meeting of the stakeholders of Bengal’s entertainment industry with minister Aroop Biswas will decide the final guidelines for shooting to commence in the film and television industry. But before that, a meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the Technicians’ Studio to discuss the guidelines for film, web and television shooting.
Present at the meeting were representatives of broadcasters, Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI), Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA), Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP) and West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum. However, since the discussions mainly concerned guidelines for television shooting, film producers left the meeting midway. Film producer Suparno Kanti Karati, who attended the meeting said, “I was there as a representative of film producers. Along with me, Parambrata Chatterjee and Rhitobrata Bhattacharya were also there. That apart, Piya Sengupta was there from EIMPA. Initially, we were under the impression that once the television meeting got over, we will be able to discuss the issues regarding film shooting. When we asked FCTWEI and Artists’ Forum if they had brought their SOP for the commencement of film and web series shooting, we were told that they were yet to come prepared with that. For Tuesday’s meeting, they had brought along the SOP for television shooting. They will take time formulate the SOP for film and web series. So, there is little chance of any decision being taken regarding film shooting at the June 4 meeting.”
Among the various concerns that had consensus were the issues of mandatory sanitization, fumigation, ban on kissing/hugging and entry on sets of those above 65. However, the issue of providing compensation in case of Covid-19 infection remained a bone of contention.
Arindam Ganguly, the general secretary of West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum, said that a proposal was made to provide Rs 25 lakh as compensation in case of death of an artiste due to Covid-19. However, not everyone was on the same page regarding this. Instead, there was a “preliminary discussion” about organizing a show where everyone will contribute for free. The ad revenue collected after telecast of this programme on three channels will be used for creating a relief fund. “Such a proposal has come up. But, we will take a final call on this on June 4 during the discussion with the minister,” Ganguly said.
Artistes have been encourage to bring home-cooked food. “I understand that it might not be possible for those who have to report very early and can’t make those arrangements. Provisions for cooking on the sets will be made for those who can’t do so. Everyone has agreed on this,” he said.
A maximum of six artistes can be on the floor at one point in time. “The government guidelines state that we can’t have more than 35 people on the sets. So, we are thinking of rotating people so that at any given point in time the number doesn’t increase 35. The idea is to have shifts and rotate the work so that everyone gets a chance even while adhering to the 35 figure,” Ganguly said
On the issue of not allowing people aged beyond 65, there is little that can be done. “Many in the industry are above 65. We know it will be very difficult for them because some of them are the sole bread-earners. We also raised this issue. But then, we can’t violate government guidelines,” he said.
Two people will be able to use one makeup room. “If the size is huge, a third person can be allowed. Artistes have also been asked to use their own wardrobe. In case that doesn’t happen, the production has to provide two sets of the same costumes so that they can be washed and worn on alternate days,” he added.
Artistes have been asked to use their own conveyance. “Those who don’t have conveyance will have to be picked up from their residence. The producers will arrange that. Though not PPEs, it has also been suggested that makeup artistes and hairdressers will wear proper protective gear when they are at work. Santinisation has to be regularly done,” he concluded. There is no clarity as yet on when television shooting will actually begin.
Source: Times of India
