My Safe On-Set Experience in a COVID World
Saying Goodbye to Crobin, the director. Weird times.
When auditions started to enter my inbox, I had a mild anxiety attack.
Here are some of the stories I was telling myself:
"I have to say yes to every audition because agents and casting will look bad or be mad."
"I have to say yes because I may never get offered another job again."
"I will get sick or die just from going back to work."
I knew those thoughts weren't 100% true. But they felt very real to me, and I reacted as such. After some coaching from myself, my husband, and my coach, I realized I could say no to whatever I wanted. And I could make sure I felt comfortable with the conditions on set.
Some auditions felt like a definite, “No.” Some I felt more open to. I started listening to my body; to my gut reaction.
A low budget, out of state spot, with no testing? “No thank you!”
A national commercial in driving distance? “Probably,” (depending on their COVID compliance.)
A national commercial that would do testing? "Absolutely."
Network TV with testing? “Absolutely.”
Voice-overs from a studio? "Maybe," (depending on their COVID compliance.)
Voice-overs from my closet using source-connect? "Absolutely."
When an ongoing client reached out to see if I was available this August to come to St. Louis and film another commercial, I had to think about it. I had to talk it over with my husband, agent, and close friends. I ended up saying yes, and so far I don't regret it.
Here are the things I asked in advance:
Could I drive instead of fly? Could they rent me a car? They said yes.
Could I do an Airbnb instead of a hotel? They said yes. (My Airbnb was immaculate!)
Could I drive myself to set? Yes, everyone else requested that too.
Would they do testing? No, they were not doing testing.
Here’s what happened the day before the shoot:
TL;DR: I felt safe and tested negative for COVID today!
I had a short Zoom meeting with the director the day before to go over the vision of the spot. I was also given a script treatment and storyboards in advance which made it easier to prepare. I knew the exact tone and vision and could practice beforehand for a smoother day. Why aren’t we always given a script treatment with the director’s vision?!
At my costume fitting the day before, the only people there were a couple of producers and the wardrobe person. They took pics, and the director and clients made decisions via photos.
Here’s how it went on the day:
A medic took everyone’s temperature when they got to set. Then everyone was given a wristband. Green meant you could always be in the house. Yellow only when necessary. Red meant you stayed outside. There were bathrooms outside for people who couldn’t go inside. The bathrooms were cleaned often.
Two COVID compliance people were hired. They came around with mandatory hand sanitizer often. They made sure people were distancing and wearing masks at all times.
No one ever took off their mask except to eat outside.
Lunch tables were set up far apart from each other, and each had only two chairs - one at each end of the long rectangular table. Everything was outside. Everything was boxed, and you chose your boxed lunch.
Crafty had two people working, and they were the only ones allowed to touch the food and drinks. You told them what they wanted, and they handed it to you.
My makeup and hair person wore a mask and a face-shield to do my initial hair and makeup. I kept my mask on whenever possible, even when she did my eyes.
I was the only actor on set, and I had my mask on until last looks, rehearsal, and shooting. At that time, most people left the room, and they let me know when to take off my mask and put it back on. They told me when I had a few minutes in between takes to go outside.
I got a free COVID test at Walgreens today and it came back a couple hours later. I’m negative…which is a positive thing.
In the end, you have to trust your gut. I felt completely safe on set, but if you don’t, that’s okay! No amount of money is worth your health or your life. I have the right to change my mind at any time. I know I have the right to turn down auditions or gigs. I have the right to walk off the set if it doesn't feel safe and call my agent and the union to see if anything can be done or to completely walk off the set if nothing could be.
It's time to empower ourselves. To say no when we need to. To ask for what we want and need. And make sure we are getting paid hazard pay. Scale is the minimum on a union job. More can always be negotiated!
In solidarity,
Courtney
