In lieu of delayed or non-existing governmental support available for freelancers and the self-employed in many countries, the global industry has stepped up to support the backbone of the production industry.
Weathering the coronavirus current storm is the key concern, as agencies and production companies continue to discuss possibilities with clients, necessitating agility and creative solutions. But what do the next few months hold?
The coronavirus pandemic is now truly a global issue, with cases across the US and Europe spiking.
For the production industry, it’s led to a dramatic collapse in work. Shoots have been put on hold throughout the world, from big Hollywood projects such as Baz Luhrmann untitled Elvis movie through to ongoing series like Stranger Things. About 120,000 film industry workers have already lost their jobs in Hollywood alone, according to the US entertainment industry union IATSE.
In these times of social isolation, perhaps Netflix Party is one answer to having a night-in with your friends.
The cancellation of Series Mania, the international festival dedicated to TV series, last week was an enormous disappointment to the 2,700 professionals who had planned to attend the industry-focused Series Mania Forum.
Are you missing your club nights? JD.com and global music service provider, and record label producer, Taihe Music Group have joined forces to create an online clubbing experience, bringing in major alcohol brands for the experience.
Coronavirus is leading to daily cancellations of festivals, events and filming so one of the big questions at the moment is what will happen to Cannes Film. For now it is still a definitely, possibly, maybe.
As feature film production and exhibition across the UK is halted or impeded by Coronavirus pandemic, Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the BFI issues a message addressing the concerns of the industry. Read the full statement below.
Our industry is constantly evolving and looking for innovative ways to work, but few would have foreseen that the next big change would be forced on us by such a dramatic external event.
As a quarter of the world’s population is now living under lockdown, with many borders closed and travel suspended, it is still too early to fully understand the effect of the crisis on the global creative screen industries. There is little doubt, however, that the impact will be massive.
The only thing that is certain at the moment is that we will get through this.
First and foremost, we hope our readers from all countries and all grades of the industry, and their loved ones, are safe and sound and managing to go about their daily lives as best they can during these extraordinary circumstances.
The Location Guide team is fully set up to work remotely and is more determined than ever to continue bringing you valuable information and insights in order to help you through this rapidly evolving situation.
We are opening up our platforms to discuss any industry topics as well as hosting a number of discussions on our social media outlets. We want to know how you, whether you are a freelancer or part of a larger company, are adapting to the situation.
We are as keen as ever to keep interacting with you as much as possible. In the meantime, stay safe.
Jean-Frédéric Garcia
Managing Director
The Location Guide
“Attitudes to environmental sustainability are changing in the film industry, but current approaches lack strategic co-ordination” finds a new BFI report on sustainability and film production. “A step change is needed in industry efforts to help meet the UK’s legally binding carbon reduction commitments” it concludes.