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Health protocols, state rebate brighten Miami filming picture (miamitodaynews.com)

Miami-Dade County’s film industry has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, which forced production crews to carry adopted safety protocols into the new year, making the county one of the safest destinations to film, local top film and entertainment executives say. 

As Covid-19 vaccinations start to take hold, the county’s filming industry is prepared to welcome back production crews from around the world and ensure the absolute best safety protocols and scenarios, said Bruce Orosz, CEO of ACT Productions and Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau chairman.

“This destination has not changed, it’s probably even better. We have created these special circumstances of quarantined bubble-like productions with about 100 hotels throughout Miami-Dade,” Mr. Orosz said. “Production crews are now using safety monitors that can help facilitate production and maintain the right protocols on the set, that give the producers and the local community confidence that all will be managed properly.”

By: Abraham Galvan

Continue Reading at miamitodaynews.com

COVID-19 Knocks 30 Percent Off Europe’s Film, TV, Music Revenue (hollywoodreporter.com)

Europe’s creative industries call for more government support to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit their revenue hard.

Representatives of Europe’s creative industries — from film and TV to theater, music, and video games — are calling for more government help to rebound from the economic damage wrought by COVID-19.

A study published Tuesday by European Authors Society GESAC showed overall revenue in Europe’s creative sector dropped 31 percent in 2020 from a high of $783 billion (€643 billion) in 2019, pre-pandemic, to $540 billion (€444 billion) last year.

COVID-19 safety measures, which have included lockdowns across most of Europe, hit the performing arts the hardest, resulting in a 90 percent drop in revenue, according to the study. The overall drop, close to €200 billion ($243 million), is above all but the worst estimates of the damage forecast at the beginning of the pandemic in Europe early last year.

By: Scott Roxborough

Continue Reading at hollywoodreporter.com

Film & TV Productions’ Demand For Low Prices, Fast Turnaround On Covid Testing Lures New Entrants (deadline.com)

As Hollywood heads back into production, some are finding prohibitive costs for ensuring Covid-19 safety. New service companies are stepping up to fill the need for reasonably priced, fast testing of crew and casts.

Nearly a year into the pandemic, the field is increasingly crowded as productions of all sizes look to comply with protocols, keep sets safe and contain risk.

“We learned working with some of our other clients that there is a tremendous amount of misinformation and confusion in the testing marketplace. Lots of companies are selling tests, but aren’t sure what their constituencies need,” said Josh Brammer, co-founder and CEO of TNG Dx, a young firm that is starting an entertainment division, looking to expand beyond an established niche in senior and assisted living where it serves over 1,000 facilities.

By: Jill Goldsmith

Continue Reading at crossroadlending.com

Albuquerque again ranked No. 1 for filmmaking (abqjournal.com)

It’s a three-peat.

On Tuesday, MovieMaker Magazine named Albuquerque the No. 1 place to “live and work as a filmmaker” in the big cities category.

This is the third year in a row Albuquerque has received the designation. The Duke City also held the top title in 2010 and has made the list every year since 2007. It fell out of the top 10 just once, when it ranked No. 11 in 2013.

In addition, MovieMaker listed Santa Fe at No. 2 in this year’s small cities and towns category.

The trade magazine compiles its annual list by looking at each city’s film activity – the number of productions, economic activity generated and shoot durations.

By: Adrian Gomez

Continue Reading at abqjournal.com

Deadline Now: California Covid-19 Projections May Be Good News For Disneyland, Movie Theaters (deadline.com)

On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom shocked the state by lifting his restrictive Regional Stay-at-Home Order. He justified the decision with some very positive four-week projections about Covid-19 in the state. If those numbers hold true, they may usher in not just the reopening of outdoor dining, but possibly a partial reopening of theaters and The Happiest Place on Earth.

By: Amanda N’Duka

Continue Reading at deadline.com