Written by Shona Smith on Nov 5, 2020. Posted in General Interest

International Programme of Covid Supervisor Training launched by PGGB and BFC

The accredited Covid Supervisor Training is targeted at Production Managers, Line Producer and Location Managers working in film and television and a call for participants will follow later in November.

The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) and the British Film Commission (BFC) have partnered for the programme which will build on the BFC’s Working Safely During Covid-19 in Film and HETV Drama Production’ guidance published in July. The US-based Producers Guild of America’s Production Safety Task Force are consulting in the training development with the aim of introducing an international standard of best practice for the Covid safety role during film and television production.

As European countries tighten restrictions and the UK heads back into lockdown during a “second wave” competent Covid Supervisors are essential to continued production. Moreover, the creation of an international standard is advantageous as international production and collaboration continues to return.

Producer and Chair of PGGB Alex Boden says “The film and TV industry has done an incredible job in re-starting production, but as we head back into lockdown in the UK, keeping the on-set environment safe is paramount. This training programme will help us ensure that Covid supervisors and other production specialists will receive the relevant ongoing training to keep our productions safe and to meet the challenges of the future.”

Not only do robust Covid safety measures protect the health of the workforce but productions who work with Covid Supervisors from an early stage can protect production budgets. The training will provide a thorough overview of the impact of additional Covid measures on each department involved in production and how the Covid Supervisor’s role brings these elements together.

The BFC have invested GBP100,000 in the High-Level Covid Supervisor Training Programme. “The UK remains very much open for business. This significant investment in training shows our commitment to supporting the ongoing excellence of our professional crew” notes Samantha Perahia MBE, Head of Production UK, British Film Commission.

Professor Lyndsay Duthie, PGGB CEO adds, “Production teams around the world are adapting to new conditions in a united effort to keep the pipeline of content flowing. The High-Level Covid Supervisor Training will be the new international standard of best practice for what is now one of the most vital roles within the production team. It will empower the Covid Supervisor to work as efficiently as possible, ensuring the safety of crews in the UK and helping to keep production moving during the pandemic.”

The training will define an international standard job description for the Covid Supervisor role that can be adopted globally and the programme will also include online modules that will be rolled out to a wider international audience. Trainees will become trailblazers, part of the project’s online hub to share best practice and future-proof production techniques as the pandemic continues and evolves.

A call for participants in the training programme will go out later in November. The PGGB’s newly appointed Director of Training Helen Curston (pictured right) will lead the delivery of the programme and notes “These are challenging times and honing skills through structured training is more important than ever for those creative professionals working day-to-day in this industry. I look forward to leading on the new Covid Supervisor Training programme as a first priority, to help productions cut through adversity and move forward safely and successfully.”

 

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