Cinema and TV, ok to the protocol for the resumption of productions

It is difficult to imagine a kiss worthy of the historical final sequence of Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, disco party scenes or hand-to-hand clashes. But it is certain that the cinema and TV sets are trembling to start again after the coronavirus lockdown: an important signal is the health protocol signed today by the entire supply chain, from producers to train drivers, from toolmakers to actors, which defines the rules for reopening in safety. A self-regulation code that will now be submitted to the Ministry of Health, CTS, Inail and to the other institutions responsible for stamping. The aim is to restart production by the end of June, to give breath to a sector that employs over 200 thousand people and is worth 1 billion a year, but also to appease the hunger for cinema and TV that has exploded more than ever in times of pandemic. And so, after a month of work in videoconference, we came to a shared text, signed by Anica, Apa, Ape, Cna Cinema and Audiovisual, Confartigianato Cineaudiovisivo, Slc-Cgil (with the respective delegations of troupe and actors), Fistel -Cisl, Uilcom-Uil, 100Autori, Agi Spettacolo, Doc / it and Lara. The surgical mask will be mandatory on the set, except for the actors on stage, who will however have to act 'from a distance'. In case of collective scenes or 'close situations', they will be subjected to the most reliable tests to rule out that they are positive to Covid, immediately before the shooting starts, and they will repeat the tests at least once a week, even without symptoms. Each member of the cast must have a dressing room or a space for exclusive use, to be sanitized with each change of actor. The sets must be sanitized before the clapperboard, at the end of the shooting day and in the case of positive operators or with symptoms. Among other indications, individual stage costumes; disposable gloves, FFP2 / FFP3 masks and visors for make-up artists, hairdressers, microphones, seamstresses, tool makers; disposable tools for make-up and wig or sanitized after each use and at the end of the day. Goodbye to buffets, yes to several catering stations, to be sanitized daily, with disposable plates and cutlery and ready-made portions. And then the strong recommendation to use contact tracing apps, such as 'Immuni', when it becomes available. Three main open questions, reflects Giancarlo Leone, president of the APA, the association of audiovisual producers: "First of all, the availability of the pads on the sets: we asked for national and regional involvement to guarantee it, especially for the actors who cannot use masks. Secondly, the establishment of a guarantee fund for insurance in the event of total damage. Thirdly, the necessary and imminent launch of the new tax credit: on this last point I greatly appreciate the activism of Mibact which it is proof of the awareness of the importance of the recovery of production ". The insurance node is also underlined by Francesca Cima, president of the Anica producers section: "We need a system that guarantees two possibilities: temporary interruption and, I hope rare, total interruption, for example for an outbreak. The latter financial product does not exist among insurance companies and we think that Italian and European guarantee funds can protect in the case ". The restart, explains Cima, also serves to get back on the market at an international level: "There is a great need for audiovisual products and the country that starts first, safely wins. In Iceland, for example, many productions are grabbing for this We must make it clear that starting a film in Italy is possible and safely. It is a decisive challenge ". Welcomes the agreement agreement Eleonora Andreatta, director of Rai Fiction, convinced that "this common spirit is the best hope for being able to resume work, once the protocols have been approved by the competent authority, and proceed towards that restart in which the Rai is deeply committed to its role as the driving force of an industry of great cultural and industrial value for our country, such as that of the audiovisual sector ".