Working in a COVID-19
Production World
Practical Show Tech grew out of the idea that during this downtime in the event production market, a platform could be provided to allow for the sharing of knowledge. The PST team comes from a primarily audio background. However, we see our jobs as not just audio alone, but as a department that must interact with every facet of production. At first, the webinar topics focused on the technology that we used as part of our jobs. Whether RF, intercom systems, software, discussion of workflows and mix techniques, etc., what we discovered was more significant than just staying connected with the technology and our co-workers during this time.
This page is our way of facilitating not just discussion but also collecting and sharing information, best practices, and ideas around working in a post-Covid production world.
Special thanks to Denise Woodward for her efforts collecting the manufacturer recommendations and government links into one location.
Guideline Documents
Discussion about Practical Show Tech in a
Covid-19 era
Practical Show Tech hosts, guests or sponsors are not making any claims or policies around proposals listed or discussed. These are ideas submitted for discussion purposes only.
Please send your ideas and comments to info@practicalshow.tech or email us using the form below
Disposable one time windscreens and ear pads for comms
Manufacturers can begin investigating biodegradable materials, eco-friendly solutions if single-use becomes a standard operating procedure for the forsee-able future.
Can manufacturers ship windscreens either in heat-sealed bags or in bulk and then the vendor or user could repackage in their bags. Avoid large amounts of waste like cardboard.
Comms headsets come packaged in sealed bags
Should they arrive on-site without earpiece and mic foam on the headset allowing the user to open a clean set and attach themselves?
Headworn microphones packaged in sealed bags
Talent puts on their own mic and transmitter
On-air talent should provide their own IFB molds or earpieces
Change windscreens after each presenter if sharing mics
Avoid sharing interview mic or ‘lollipopping’. Allow for a mic for each person on stage or camera.
Gloves, N95 masks, and Face screens supplied by prod.
Manufacturers recommendations on cleaning
CDC has clear guidelines. Let the government agencies drive that discussion
Other countries CDC equivalent can provide guidance
UV-C disinfecting-does it hurt equipment?
Manufacturers do not need to, nor should they weigh in on the medical-related topics
We don’t need manufacturers to make statements of cleaning and whether the virus is eliminated on surfaces after treatment.
Manufacturers could help by testing various cleaning agents and methods submitted by end-users/dealers
Test specific or most widely used cleaning solutions
Test the effect of UV/sterilization devices on products surfaces
Plenty of hand sanitizer available at every doorway
On-clock extra time before and after show call for cleaning
Cleaning connectors and connection boxes
Plexi dividers for work areas backstage
Plexi dividers in tv production truck (ob vans and trucks)
Vendor or production company cleaning policies-posted on site
Spray disinfectants?
A2's are the front line for the client showing safety
Masks and gloves necessary in the short term
Still required even if future CDC guidelines don’t specify?
‘Dress code’ regarding personal masks (no skulls, non-approved branding)
Cleaning assistants who continuously clean production
Backstage sink with soap and paper towels
Disposable gloves with touch screen use $8/10
Regular black Nitrile gloves also run touch screens
Bring your own PPE also
Use something to select elevator, not your finger
Standardization of disinfection processes that producers can require, audit, and can guarantee to our clients (think LEED certification for buildings)
Clearly identifiable/verifiable tagging of gear that has been disinfected (bar/QR code? – including date of procedure and “best by” date if appropriate)
Seals on “personal contact gear” – e.g. mic packs, mics, windscreens….)
Recourse, if any, when procedures are not followed
Additional / extended liability insurance requirements
Modification to crew call procedures (show site related ideas)
Timely “clean health” certification
Temperature scanning
Anti-body or ‘fast’ testing for negative or positive of virus presence
Procedure for trigger events (i.e. crew member shows up with temp over 100F)
Union/crewing implications for new work rules (if crew person is refused, is minimum paid? Will we need to start assuming a 10% rejection rate? And over staff for that?)
Will any of these fall under HIPAA?
Additional crew on-site to assist w/ additional workload and of course support traditional roles of A2.
Maybe a certification program can be designed by a third party (recall Las Vegas requirement that anyone managing crews had to take additional OSHA training)
Who will be responsible for PPE for crew
vendor, producer, third-party supplier
Crew Meals will be impacted! No buffets, no open flat meat platters……..
Who will regulate?
Extension of Fire Marshal?
Will we need additional approval of stage/audience/screening setup by Health Departments?
What are OSHA plans and how may they impact meetings/shows/broadcasts?
Implications of social distancing for room layouts and audio systems
Will we get from 6-foot distancing to perhaps 3-foot distancing?
Seating with 48-inch seat pitch between rows is very doable
If Fire Marshal continues to require linked chairs, how do we cover 2 chairs between “legal” chairs (approx. 40” gap)
How does this greater spacing impact audio coverage? Room sound? It certainly “discounts” the room capacity by about 50%
The assumption that ALL events moving forward will require some “virtual” aspect, that audience sizes could easily drop by 50% but still need to communicate to those missing folk.