Guidelines for production shoots to include live events without audience —FDCP

The clarificatory guidelines on the health and safety protocols for film and other audiovisual (AV) production shoots include live events production without audience or guests, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) said on Wednesday.

"Marami na rin po ngayong lumalabas na iba pang klaseng audio-visual content dahil din po nag-a-adopt sila dito sa ating new normal. So even live events production, nagkakaroon na ng ganitong klaseng content kung saan walang audience pero shinu-shoot nila ang kanilang mga ginagawang content at pinapalabas sa iba't ibang platform," FDCP chairperson Liza Diño said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

Under the clarificatory guidelines, production shoots shall include any and all types of shoots including but not limited to the following which will follow the provisions of the FDCP-DOH-DOLE No. 2020-001:

a. Film production
b. Television program production
c. Advertising content production
d. Corporate audiovisual production 
e. Animation production
f. Live event production without the physical presence of audience, patrons, or guests including but not limited to concerts, live shows, variety shows, theatrical or stage performances, panel discussions recorded as content for various distribution platforms like online streaming, the internet, television, and the like.
g. Other audiovisual content production

The guidelines further stated that each production company from the above categories must register their scheduled production at least seven days before commencement and submit the following:

a. Production Registration Form - In line with the reportorial requirements of the FDCP-DOLE JMC No. 001 S. 2020, all scheduled production shoots (whether for film, TV, web, and other audiovisual content) must be reported to DOLE and FDCP. The form will contain specific details of the planned production shoot including the people participating at the production site.

b. Health and Safety Commitment Declaration - This form is for production companies to manifest their compliance with Republic Act 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act and DOLE-FDCP Joint Memorandum Circular 001, Series of 2020 on the Guidelines Governing the Working Conditions and Occupational Safety and Health of Workers in the Audio-Visual Production Industry. This also spells out their commitment in providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all workers. This must be submitted to the FDCP prior to the start of the production shoot.

The FDCP, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Health back in June issued FDCP-DOH-DOLE No. 2020-001.

Under the guidelines, producers or employers shall ensure all workplaces comply with the DOH minimum health standards for COVID-19 mitigation.

Production companies and workers must also comply with the current community quarantine protocols where production site or workplace is located, including curfews and other related guidelines and local issuances.

Necessary Occupational Safety and Health Officers shall also be present in all workplaces and areas, at all times, during working hours. —LDF, GMA News