COVID-19 costing film producers time and money in Alberta protecting actors and crew
Actor Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge, The Amazing Spiderman) told hosts of the syndicated program The View he was unable to be on the show in person Monday because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the set of the television series he's shooting in southern Alberta.
"I’m shooting up in Calgary, I'm shooting a really interesting mini-series based on the Jon Krakauer book Under The Banner of Heaven.” Garfield told host Joy Behar.
"I was supposed to come down (to Los Angeles for The View) and then we had a few breakthrough cases (of COVID-19) in our crew, and so we were, a few of us, having to quarantine and self-isolate, so unfortunate I couldn't fly.”
Under The Banner of Heaven is the largest of several film and television productions currently shooting in the province. It is shooting in Calgary and in smaller communities throughout south central Alberta.
The story follows a devout Mormon detective, whose faith is challenged while investigating a savage killing that appears connected to a prominent Utah family’s LDS fundamentalist beliefs.
Garfield plays Pyre, a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) elder, who begins to question the Church’s teachings as he maintains contact with the murder suspects.
The production began shooting in early august and is expected to wrap in October. It has a production cost estimated to be $100 Million.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 212 represents film and stage technicians in Alberta. Union representative Craig Coolahan said Monday that no Alberta productions have been forced to shut down as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak.
“We are aware of some productions that have had to reschedule as a result of COVID there's been no shutdowns, but there has been some rescheduling," he said.
"All in all, though, the productions have been very good with their protocol is very good with their testing and kept sets very safe."
Coolahan says thus far most productions have not been demanding proof of vaccination, instead relying on extensive rapid testing to maintain health and safety on set.
“The Zone A, which is the actors and the talent, that zone is getting tested every day on most productions.”
Coolahan added film and television production staff are generally broken into zones, A through C, depending on how close the staff are to the actual production floor.
"Some of the zones further out from (zone) A don't need to be tested every day. I think some of them are testing weekly though.”
That may be beginning to change though, as Coolahan notes one smaller (under $20 million) production that is set to shoot in Calgary has required proof of vaccination for its crew.
“So we do anticipate that coming down from some of the larger productions, and it is in full support of vaccinations and hiring vaccinated employees," said Coolahan, noting COVID-19 protection has boosted the cost of production by close to 15 percent.
Coolahan says there have to date been no cases of COVID-19 being transmitted on set.
“'It’s being brought onto the set. So it's not spreading the testing is identifying the COVID cases, and getting them isolated," he said.
"I think they are confident that they can keep their sets safe. But even if there is an outbreak in the community, I honestly, the way they've been doing things, it's been so stringent, so well done."
Coolahan notes IATSE is in favour of vaccination and will work to provide producers with fully vaccinated crews when requested. They are advising members to vaccinate in an effort to ensure the currently booming film and television industry in Alberta continues its upward trajectory.
IATSE’s website lists eight productions currently underway in Southern Alberta:
- Dark Woods (feature);
- Under the Banner of Heaven (series);
- Last of Us (series);
- Joe Pickett (series);
- Skulls (feature);
- Billy the Kid Season 1 (series);
- Heartland Season 15 (series), and;
- Left Behind (feature).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.