by Thinus Ferreira
South Africa's Independent Producers' Organisation (IPO) is cautioning the country's embattled and bruised film and TV industry who is allowed back to work in limited fashion and with studio lots open under extremely strict conditions and regulations amidst the national Covid-19 shutdown that "the situation is fluid".
On Monday South Africa's decimated film and TV industry started to return to production and filming at studio lots in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban after being frozen for the past 5 weeks, after the South African government on Sunday night, 3 May gazetted regulation amendments under the Covid-19 Level 4 shutdown situation.
The new regulations - with a lot of unclarity - are paving the way for the reopening of the local TV and film which has been hammered by the national lockdown period to try and curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"We caution members that the situation is fluid and that we are working with information that is sometimes hard to interpret," the IPO warns South Africa's TV and film industry and production companies.
"We are doing our best to navigate through these tricky waters, and we will keep you updated as new information and clarification come to light," the IPO executive committee says.
"Our understanding at this time is that productions commissioned by broadcasters are permitted to return under Level 4 – subject to the directive. Productions that wish to resume must adhere to these directions and speak to their respective broadcasters regarding the protocols to be followed, which broadcasters must approve."
"The directive expressly states that each broadcaster must work closely with the respective production companies and the relevant industry bodies to determine the most appropriate 'return-to-production' strategy and feasible implementation dates. Implicit in this is that return to production should not commence until this has taken place."
"What is not clear, however, is the status of projects that may not have a broadcaster attached. Further information may be forthcoming in minister of sports, arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa’s next briefing on the status of the DSAC Relief Fund."
"If not, we will continue engaging with department to get clarity on the way forward for the rest of the industry," says the IPO which will distribute and post health and safety protocols on its website.
"These have been developed in association with SASFED and its member bodies, as well as indemnity and privacy template documents," says the organisation.
"The IPO encourages members to get them signed by their freelancers. Together with the indemnity, we encourage members to share these protocols for maintaining safety on set. It seems only fair that if we are asking people to indemnify productions that we have to, at the same time, commit to keeping them as safe as is practicable."
Meanwhile, the Commercial Producers Association (CPA) in a statement welcomed the reopening,saying "The CPA is pleased to announce that our industry is, once again, open for business".
"The South African government has permitted filming under level 4 regulations from 4 May 2020, however, there are certain restrictions that have been put in place. These are strict industry protocols that must be adhered to at all times" for instance the on-set limit of cast and crew of 50 people, inclusive of cast and crew.
"The CPA has published the CPA Covid-19 protocol for use by members, clients and suppliers. Clients and suppliers should please note that the CPA has no jurisdiction over non-members."
"Therefore due care should be taken to ensure that all productions comply with all requirements.
“We look forward to our industry getting back on to its feet in the coming weeks and thank everyone who has been involved in the process. It has truly been a great team effort and we appreciate all the work that has gone into it."
