Video Production in the Time of COVID-19
At HYPER X HOUSE, we've always believed that video production companies should be creating artful storytelling in keeping with societal and cultural changes. Currently, COVID-19 is providing unexpected challenges to keeping your content current and relevant. However, video production involves collaboration and innovation to always come up with ways to get the job done. So if you are seeking a production company that has given serious thought on how to cope with the pandemic, here are the strategies we have put in place.
Safety Must Come First
No matter the size of the project, the safety of everyone on the set must be a priority. In addition to standard social distancing protocols, we are following the guidelines put in place by the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) and even going beyond them in some instances. Here's what to look for from HYPER X HOUSE.
Small Shoots
We don't see small as lowering the quality of our productions. Our aim is superior value using micro-crews (5 people or less), strategic locations, and robust technological collaboration. We can do this because our entire team cut their teeth working with DSLR cameras and learning to shoot and edit projects ourselves.
By choice, our crews tend to be smaller than those of our contemporaries. This does not have a negative impact on quality because our crew members are highly qualified and trained to assist each other. No one will be on the set who does not absolutely need to be there. This allows for higher on-set efficiency, and we are confident that we can maintain our high standards while paying attention to social distancing.
Call times will be staggered and the crew will be further broken down into the smallest teams feasible to access the set at different times to avoid intermingling.
Excellent Communication
As much work as possible will be planned in pre-production to eliminate close physical contact between crew and talent. This means longer pre-production times than normal, together with close collaboration with our partners. Good communication will be, therefore, more important than ever. This requires discipline and procedures that work to everyone’s benefit. Also, there will be a dedicated on-set moderator for any project to ensure that everyone is kept informed and up-to-date at every stage of the production. Production and editing meetings will be carried out remotely.
Remote Casting - Casting remotely is not a new concept, and it may be the only way to cast talent for the foreseeable future.
Safe Equipment
On every shoot, we will examine each crew member's role to limit the number of people on the set. It's also important to reduce contact with others as much as possible during typical production prep. We are fortunate in this regard because we have an in-house collection of essential equipment. This means we can draw on a direct equipment supply chain with fewer hands involved. All crew and talent will be assigned their own equipment and tools.
Safe Locations
HYPER X HOUSE maintains a stable of strategic and private locations that can be sterilized and kept clean and private during shoots. Any necessary location scouting will be performed virtually or rely on existing site photographs. Any location rental will allow for sufficient time for safe check-in and site disinfection. Where feasible, we will film outdoors but public location shoots will be avoided.
All Proper Precautions
We will be taking all necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of the virus, including:
Maintaining 6 feet of separation to the best of our ability. Distance markers will be in place.
Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) - face masks, hand sanitizer, gloves (if needed), mobile hand-washing stations. All crew will wear masks and wash hands before and after handling equipment. Talent will wear masks when not on camera.
The working of hygiene breaks into the shooting schedule.
Testing of cast and crew (provided by HYPER X HOUSE).
Instructions to crew members not to come to work if they feel ill. Crew members who get sick at work will be instructed to go home and stay home until they are symptom-free.
Disinfection with EPA-approved products of frequently touched objects (e.g., props, common equipment, tables, doorknobs, printers, etc.) prior to and following filming, group editing or other meetings.
Replacement of buffet-style craft service by individually packaged food or group orders where everyone gets their own meal. A seating area for eating will be provided with adequate social distancing.
A ban on large physical gatherings or meetings.
Providing instructions to talent to arrive on site with hair and makeup done. We will give off-site options for these services.
Final Thoughts
We are all looking to find a way forward in these unsettling times. We are confident that HYPER X HOUSE is nimble and resourceful enough to handle any project. In spite of the pandemic, we remain a team of professionals who enjoy nothing more than figuring out how to make great content that you'll love. It is likely that COVID-19 will not go away anytime soon, and we are overly prepared to keep everyone safe during any type of production. If you need an innovative production company, please give us a call.
WE ARE EAGERLY AWAITING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOOT WITH YOU AGAIN