UBCP/ACTRA Covid-19 Update

UBCP_ACTRA_Update
 

Message from Lori Stewart

Health & Safety Performer Advocate | UBCP/ACTRA

Hello Stunt Community,
 
I am reaching out to you all, as I know there is a lot of confusion regarding how BC is planning on returning to work in the film industry and when. 
 
Everyday there are guidelines and protocols being posted online from around the world on what different industries are planning on doing to get filming again.  It is rather overwhelming. 
Understand that every jurisdiction is unique and there are different government and health authority rules for every country and different approaches to managing the risks associated with returning to work in a pandemic.  Although filming on sets is similar throughout the world, return to work guidelines will need to fit the laws, orders, rules and recommendations for each country or jurisdiction.  So guidelines being planned in Europe for example, may not work here.  I want to assure you that the union is acutely aware of this and we are actively working on solutions for performers and the industry here.

Here is a very quick update on what is happening at the union and behind the scenes, to ensure you that BC will have it’s own plan in place for the start up of the industry:

  • UBCP/ACTRA is heavily involved in many discussions, committees and task forces to address how we can safely get back to work.  I am involved in all of these discussions.
  • We are collecting information, articles, and guideline from many countries, states and territories and collating it all to help find the best solutions for our membership and jurisdiction.  Our legal team and staff are all involved in this process and we are working on a ‘recommended best practices for performers’ list for B.C.
  • Last week, a new BC Committee was formed with Creative BC, MMPIA, and all the Actsafe MPSC members (all BC film unions, studio safety reps, AMPTP, CMPA & Actsafe staff).   The goal of this committee is to formulate a  ‘Made In BC’  set of guidelines for the whole industry – and the aim is to have this in a month.  It is a massive, massive undertaking but please know, we are heavily involved and working on this full time.
  • As well as being on local ‘Covid-19 task forces’, I am also on a ACTRA National Health & Safety committee, advising ACTRA’s National Executive Director on the National 70+ member Canada Task Force and working personally with the head of Health and Safety & Stunts at SAG-AFTRA in LA.   There is a lot of information and resources being shared which is very beneficial for all involved.
  • There will be a targeted survey going out to about 150 members of UBCP/ACTRA that represent all performance categories (including about 30 members of our stunt community) early this week.  We hope to learn more specifics of the risks and challenges facing each department and each specific job category with this survey and use it as a platform for further outreach to more union members with the creation of ‘focus groups’.  Please stand by for more information about these focus groups.
  • Further, all ACTRA members will be receiving a membership wide survey this week to gauge your opinions about the Covid-19 situation and issues pertaining to returning to work.   Please take the time to do this survey – we want to hear from you!
I will do my best to keep you updated on any significant developments for B.C.  If you need help in any way, please check out the UBCP/ACTRA Covid-19 website at  https://www.ubcpactra.ca/covid-19/.  There are lots of good resources and information for performers and your families on this site and it is updated frequently.
 
We will get through this… it will be a process and it will start slow and build over time.  What is most important is that we do this right.  We want to make sure that it is safe to work and film in BC and that particularly our performers are protected and have the confidence to do what we do best.
Hang in there everyone!  Please lean on each other and keep connecting!
 
Respectfully,
LORI STEWART
Lori.stewart@ubcpactra.ca