COVID-19 Resource Center

Last update: Thursday, 7/09/20 @ 10:00 a.m.

FilmLA resumed coordination of film permits on Monday, June 15. Please see our latest Production Alert, list of Frequently Asked Questions, our latest update, and growing roster of areas reopening to filming.

As we reopen, in order to allow time for government review and community notification, we are making every effort to process applications according to normal deadlines, however, some requests may require more time and review.

By order of state and local authorities, on-location filming was shut down in the City and County of Los Angeles from March 20 through June 11, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 5, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that counties throughout the state could begin reopening to film, television and commercial production starting on June 12.

A modified health order from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health followed on June 12, authorizing filming to resume.

The LA County health protocols applicable to film production are now available from the County’s website (also available in Spanish). These protocols must be agreed to as a condition of film permit release.

Governor Newsom’s decision followed the June 1 release of new Health and Safety Guidelines, prepared by the Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Committee (IWLMSC) Task Force. These guidelines serve as a resource to the industry. You may access those Safety Guidelines here, as well as a supplemental guide prepared by unions and guilds, “The Safe Way Forward”.

COVID-19 Timeline
Update on Production Restart Progress
Filming Status, by Area of Service
Frequently Asked Questions
County Public Health Posters & Guides
External Resources

COVID-19 PRODUCTION LIMITS TIMELINE

This timeline reflects FilmLA’s knowledge of COVID-19 related filming limits enacted from 3/12/20 through 3/20/20.

Download (.PDF)

UPDATE ON PRODUCTION RESTART PROGRESS

FilmLA has issued our first update on production restart progress, since resuming remote operations on June 15^th.

Download (.PDF)

Filming Status, by Area of Service

As of Thursday, June 9th:

County of Los Angeles (unincorporated) – Accepting Applications
City of Los Angeles – Accepting Applications
City of Diamond Bar – Accepting Applications
City of South Gate – Accepting Applications
City of Industry – Accepting Applications
City of Lancaster – Accepting Applications
City of Palmdale – Accepting Applications
City of La Habra Heights – No applications accepted
City of Vernon – Accepting Applications
City of Monterey Park – Accepting Applications
City of Santa Monica – No applications accepted
City of Newport Beach – No applications accepted
City of San Dimas – Accepting Applications
City of Fullerton – Accepting Applications
Culver City – Accepting Applications
City of Gardena – Accepting Applications

School Districts

Los Angeles Unified School District – Accepting Applications
Burbank Unified School District – No applications accepted
Glendale Unified School District – No applications accepted
Lawndale Unified School District – No applications accepted
La Cañada Unified School District – No application accepted
Norwalk – La Mirada Unified School District – No applications accepted

Frequently Asked Questions

When did filming reopen? Were all jurisdictions immediately open to filming?

FilmLA resumed processing permit applications on Monday June 15, 2020. Not all jurisdictions served by FilmLA are currently open to filming. School district properties are currently not available for filming. We expect many jurisdictions to reopen filming in the coming days. FilmLA’s COVID-19 Resource Center (this page) lists areas we serve and their current status. You can also visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website.

When did the State of California authorize filming to resume?

On June 5, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced publicly that counties throughout the state could begin reopening to film, television and commercial production starting on June 12, 2020. Governor Newsom’s announcement did not immediately authorize on-location filming in Los Angeles County. That decision belonged to the County Department of Public Health, which decided based on local health data to reopen filming immediately.

What are the permitted hours of filming?

Do any limitations apply when filming on public property?

As of right now, some publicly owned locations such as Los Angeles City Hall and the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration are off limits to filming. Others are available, on a case by case basis. We invite you to contact FilmLA’s Solution Services team with questions.

The locations you select will need to be able to safely accommodate your production while observing health protocols including social distancing, sanitation standards, and regular testing requirements. FilmLA will also be paying attention to base camp and posted parking requirements, intermittent traffic and pedestrian control, extras holding areas and crew feeds during the permit process.

What type of health protocols apply when filming on-location?

Filmmakers are required to comply with health protocols outlined in the Health Order amended by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health last updated on June 12, 2020. These orders are subject to further amendment. The latest will always be available from LA County and linked to from the COVID-19 Resource Center of the FilmLA website.

Current orders impose requirements on film productions regarding workplace social distancing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hours of filming activity, regular sanitation and employee testing. The protocols do not limit the size of productions in terms of people, beyond what is safe and practical for social distancing in a confined space.

Who will enforce health protocols on set?

Local health authorities require that every production designate a COVID-19 Compliance Officer (COC). This is not a City or County Official; your compliance officer can be any appropriate individual of authority employed and trained by the production. The COC should on set whenever possible and be responsible that all cast and crew adhere to County Public Health safety and infection guidelines. The County Health Order guidelines are written in the form of a checklist of requirements for the COC to follow. The checklist is attached to every film permit released by FilmLA.

FilmLA does not know of any organizations offering to certify individuals to serve in this capacity. The County Department of Public Health is not certifying or training COCs, as it is the responsibility of the production to ensure proper training for these staff members.

What protections exist for communities that host filming?

FilmLA will continue to encourage productions to follow all State and County guidelines that are set in place for safety. FilmLA does not set the terms for filming taking place on-location. Public authorities do that through a process we help coordinate.

Every filmmaker who receives a film permit agrees to comply with Public Health Orders last amended by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health on June 12, 2020 and subject to change. Currently, these orders impose strict requirements on production regarding workplace social distancing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), regular sanitation and employee testing.

At FilmLA, we have modified our business practices to minimize health risk to communities when filming happens on-location. As examples, all of our field employees – the folks who deliver Notices of Filming door-to-door – undergo health checks when reporting to work and are equipped with company issued personal protective equipment including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and “no touch” tools. Our Hollywood office is also closed at this time, with most of our staff working remotely.

How will the film industry keep cast and crew members safe?

To obtain a permit, filmmakers are required to comply with Health Orders last amended by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health on June 12, 2020. These orders are also available on the FilmLA website. These orders currently impose strict requirements on production regarding workplace social distancing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and regular sanitation and employee testing. The protocols do not limit the size of productions in terms of people, beyond what is safe and practical for social distancing in a confined space.

In addition, several sets of precautionary guidelines have been developed by the film, television and commercial production industry. All are similar. Many companies will operate under new Health and Safety Guidelines that were released June 1, 2020 by the AMPTP’s Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Committee (IWLMSC) Task Force. The Task Force was comprised of health experts and high-level representatives of studios and entertainment unions. You can read these guidelines, as well as the supplemental document developed by various unions and guilds, “The Safe Way Forward”.

Are there limits on number of cast or crew members that can be on location?

Do the County’s Health Protocols apply to student film productions?

Are FilmLA Monitors available for on-location filming?

Yes, FilmLA Monitors will be available to oversee productions when ordinarily required. They are under instructions to socially distance at the periphery of the filming location. For their health and safety, Monitors undergo health checks when reporting to work and are equipped with company issued personal protective equipment including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and “no touch” tools.

FilmLA Monitors are available to ensure compliance with FilmLA coordinated permit. While they do not have authority to serve as COVID-19 Compliance Officers or to enforce County health protocols, observable violations will be reported to government permit approvers and public health authorities as appropriate.

Are Community Filming Surveys being required?

Community Filming Surveys should not be conducted at this time (this policy is subject to change at any time) to limit interaction between production company representatives and the public. High-impact activity and filming outside of standard filming hours are discouraged at this time. In circumstances that would ordinarily require surveys to be conducted, FilmLA Notices of Filming will include specific additional language to facilitate connection and conversation among residents, business owners, and production companies. FilmLA will update this policy as new information is provided.

What forms of payment may be used while the FilmLA office is closed?

Who can we contact if they see productions not complying with guidelines?

Who can I contact for further questions in the County?

What other resources can I use to get information about COVID-19?

Los Angeles County Posters and Guides

The County of Los Angeles Public Health has provided various posters & guides for employers and businesses to help with practicing safety measures, as productions resume. Click each thumbnail image to access a printable PDF.

Guidances for Managers – .PDF Guides

Guidances for Workers – .PDF Guides

External Resources

In the wake of COVID-19, a number of organizations have stepped forward to offer information and/or economic relief for entertainment workers and industry-affiliated businesses. FilmLA will continue to expand and update this list of third-party links as new information becomes available.

Organization	Description
The Actors Fund	Providing emergency financial assistance and counseling to all entertainment workers.
AICP – Association of Independent Commercial Producers	Offers webinars and guidance to help members lead the industry through a myriad of issues affecting the business as a result fall out due to the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19.
American Federation of Musicians Local 47	Offers a list of resources for members of AFM Local 47. It is updated regularly with news and resources for musicians about Coronavirus/COVID-19.
American Guild of Musical Artists	AGMA Relief Fund: Any AGMA member in good standing is encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the AGMA Relief Fund.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)	Offered major donation to support film industry workers. The donation will be split between the The Actors Fund, the MPTF and the Academy Foundation. Some $4 million of the donation will be split equally between The Actors Fund, which supports behind-the-scenes workers as well as performers, and the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF), which has offered essential relief to those in need since 1921. Both organizations provide immediate assistance to individuals working in the film industry during times of crisis.
Animation Guild – IATSE Local 839	Provides resources for Animation Guild Members
Artist Relief	Sundance Institute, plus various arts organizations and leading national grantmakers, have launched an emergency COVID-19 relief fund that is issuing grants to select qualified recipients.
ASCAP	Resources and Facts for ASCAP members.
Directors Guild of America (DGA)	Resources for DGA members. Contains information about the DGA COVID-19 Relief Fund: Will cover medical costs associated with COVID-19. Members can apply for short-term, interest-free loans
Entertainment Industry Foundation	EIF has partnered with Music for Relief to provide funds
Field of Vision	Documentary Freelancer Relief Fund: Field of Vision and Topic Studios have created a $250,000 fund to provide grants for freelancers working in the Documentary field. The fund will distribute unrestricted grants of up to $2000 to support personal financial needs during the COVID19 pandemic to freelancers who have experienced hardship from loss of income or opportunity as a result of the pandemicWe will be disbursing funding in two different blocks. One in April, and one in May. We know that people’s situations are changing, and so wanted to ensure there were two different timings to accommodate evolving need.
Freelance Co-op Emergency Fund	Part of our mission of making creativity sustainable is supporting freelancers in uncertain and unprecedented times.
Help Feed the Frontlines	Organization co-founded by some local moms & a dad, many of whom work in the entertainment industry
I.A.T.S.E. Cares	A joint effort by the union’s Young Workers Committee and its Disaster Response Committee, the new IATSE Coronavirus Active Response and Engagement Service is a buddy system where members in need may sign up to have a volunteer check in with them as often as they choose. Extending its annuity hardship withdrawals for those who need financial aid stemming from job losses. Committed $2.5 million to entertainment charities.
Los Angeles – Mayor’s Economic Relief Package	Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced an $11 million economic relief package for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Small businesses in the city of Los Angeles can apply for no-fee loans of $5,000–$20,000.
Leveler	A tool for people with job security to help people whose work status has been impacted by COVID-19. The list includes freelancers, service industry, and gig economy workers
Local 600 – International Cinematographers Guild	Information and resources for Local 600 members.
Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles	The COVID-19 Crisis Fund will support critical needs identified by the City as it responds to the pandemic. The Mayor’s Fund, a 501c3, can quickly take in and disburse funds and is uniquely aligned with the City.
Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) – Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund	Assistance with issues including health insurance, mental health assistance, rent, food, and other essentials
Netflix – Relief Fund	Established a $150 M relief fund. Most of the funds will go toward hardest-hit workers on Netflix’s own productions around the world. The company had already committed to paying workers two weeks pay following the production suspensions last week. To date, Netflix has also announced $1M additional relief funding for film & TV production in the UK, India and France.
SAG-AFTRA	The guild’s two major divisions – the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and the SAG-AFTRA Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund (MPPWF) have created a COVID-19 fund
Senior’s Guide to Mental Health During COVID-19	Relevant information for both caregivers and seniors to maintain mental health during this crisis
Sony – Global Relief Fund for COVID-19	This pledge will provide assistance in three areas: individuals engaged in frontline medical and first responder efforts to fight the virus; support for children and educators who must now work remotely; and support for members of the creative community in the entertainment industry.
Teamsters 399	Allowing out-of-work members to apply for jobs at local grocery stores through the union.
WarnerMedia	$100 million in relief funds for crews impacted by COVID-19
	Warner Bros. is also supporting Actors In-Training through a casting initiative intended for actors in their final year of schooling (18 years of age and older). For details, see the article on Deadline.com
Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Foundation Fund	To request assistance for financial aid, please call (888) 994-3863, ext. 6003, or https://wrpioneers.org/contact/. A social worker will contact you to set up a phone interview to discuss eligibility and the application process. In most cases, grants can be processed between 3-5 business days after we receive the completed application.

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