We have all had to make changes and compromises, even sacrifices, in order to get over the real threat of COVID. It has had a massive impact on the whole entertainment sector, not just filming.
As the shadow of COVID still hangs in the air, and we are dealing with those risks, we are slowly returning to the sometimes chaotic world of location filming.
On a busy location shoot, there are other risks lurking around in addition to COVID-19. As individual crew members focus on their particular roles, hazards can sometimes be overlooked which can quickly turn into a serious risk.
A hazard IS a risk, right?? No. Think of a sandy beach, with a shark-infested sea. You’re standing on the beach. The shark infested sea is a hazard, but if you remain on the beach you are safe. The risk occurs when you get into the sea with those pesky sharks. Similarly, on a film set a steep but grassy bank can be turned into a hazard by rain and mud during use, and continued use makes it a risk for the crew and their equipment. Add to this darkness or time pressure, and you’ve got an even bigger risk.
So what to do about it? Take the last picture above. The hazard is the vertical drop to the quarry floor 100 feet below. There is very little risk as the Spark is located behind a bund of rock. Should the DoP have wanted the light closer to the edge, the hazard is the same, but the risk is much greater. In this particular instance, we had pre-rigged ropes with harnesses and tether points for the equipment, with two safety technicians on hand at all times. The hazard remains, but the risk is mitigated.
If you have location shoots that may have environmental hazards such as height, water, coastal or remote locations, quarries, steep ground or confined space, please do pick up the phone for a chat to see if we can help.
Our aim is simple:
