MUMBAI: The Covid2019 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the film and television industry, shutting down or delaying production of movies and programmes in many countries, with consequent negative ripples on revenues (through rights and advertising sales) and employment. But now, as countries across the globe gradually lift restrictions, filmmakers are heaving a sigh of relief.
Let’s take a look at how film and TV production is faring in key markets as the media and entertainment industry slowly comes back to life.
New York
New York City, one of the most densely populated states in the US, was one of the epicentres of the Covid2019 outbreak. As shoots restarted, New York state has implemented various regulations to ensure film and television productions could be conducted safely.
In October, the state introduced a three-tier rating system under which locations based on the infection rates are assigned red, orange or yellow colours. With red notifying the highest rates and yellow being the lowest, different restrictions are placed on the production set based on what colour area the studio is located in.
Although filming has resumed, increased costs of sanitisation during the pandemic have led to small projects making up a large portion of ongoing productions. Bigger projects like Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel are in pre-production stage until the beginning of 2021.
Producers in New York can still benefit from a tax credit program to incentivise the creation of shows in the state. The program gives eligible production companies credit for 25 per cent of production costs. An additional 10 per cent credit is available in certain counties.
But Gotham soundstages such as Silvercup and Kaufman Astoria are reporting more bookings. And New York City is seeing such series as Blue Bloods, and new series The Equalizer, NBC’s Manifest and New Amsterdam, Showtime’s City on a Hill, and Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost back in the shooting process.
California
In March, all approved projects under the California film and TV tax credit program requested force majeure, meaning that their status for receiving tax credits won’t be affected. Ten, including TV series The Orville, Animal Kingdom and Good Girls. The films include King Richard and Macbeth, have resumed production since June. But projects that had been disrupted by the pandemic are still working on stricter timelines.
Greece
Although there was a sudden surge in the number of Covid2019 cases in Greece, which pushed it towards a second lockdown on 7 November, production has continued since early summer, with the government putting out safety protocols to ensure cameras continue to roll on despite the pandemic.
Woody Harrelson-starring Triangle of Sadness, directed by Oscar-nominee and Palme d’Or winner Ruben Östlund, wrapped its shoot on 13 November. The Lost Daughter, written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson, wrapped just days earlier. It is an adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel.
The film commission and the ministry of culture have worked together to introduce strict guidelines for all film and TV shoots, while the Greek government this summer raised the cash rebate from 35 per cent to 40 per cent. A new 30 per cent tax relief for incoming film and TV productions has also been finalised, it can be used in combination with the rebate.
Italy
Italy, initially hit hardest by the deadly pandemic, is responding to the second wave well with film and TV production churning out relatively more content with adherence to safety protocols and government incentives.
Culture minister Dario Franceschini has allotted a good sum of money to support production, upping resources to fund the Italian tax rebate from €400 million ($474 million) to $652 million for 2021; while raising the incentive’s cap from 30 per cent to 40 per cent of a local production’s budget (for international productions, Italy’s cash-back rebate remains capped at 30 per cent, which is still attractive). The tax rebate provided by the government is Italy’s main tool which has helped it to combat the rise in economic costs.
Meanwhile, Paramount’s Mission: Impossible 7 shot in Italy for several weeks in October and November.
South Africa
After partially lifting travel restrictions in early October, South Africa is now fully open for business, with international film and TV productions resuming in time for the southern hemisphere. As the country went into semi-lockdown, shooting kicked off on the sets of Nudes, and Wild Bunch TV’s first Italian production.
The new guidelines allow entry for all foreign travellers who are tested Covid2019 negative within 72 hours of departure. Domestic production was given the green light as early as May, allowing the industry to prepare necessary health and safety measures for international shoots to return.
Moonlighting restarted production in early October and is currently in pre-production on an international TV series that will begin shooting early next year.
Recently, South Africa has emerged into one of the world’s leading hubs for international film and television shoots, with the help of financial incentives, skilled English-speaking crews and a spectacular range of locations. Foreign productions can claim a 25 per cent cash rebate on all qualifying local spend, while the rebate for South African co-productions starts at 35 per cent. For productions that meet the requirements for the emerging Black filmmakers incentive, the rebate rises to 50 per cent.
Recent projects that have started in the country include Good Omens, Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel, and Sony’s fantasy action film Monster Hunter.
