At bigcheese, we're doing all we can to follow The Association of Photographers (AOP) recommendations for safely planning and carrying out our assignments, above and beyond the current Government guidelines.

With ongoing advice from The AOP, we'll keep this information under review and updated as required.

Firstly, it's probably unsurprising to note that: pre-production, production and post-production might take a bit longer as a result of our ensuring compliance with guidelines but, we hope you'll understand that it's for the safety of everyone involved.

We're keeping the number of people at any photoshoot to a bare minimum and only people who are absolutely required to be present will be allowed on set.

Of course, it's easy for many products for photography to be safely delivered by courier and if required, clients are able to art direct remotely or just share in the progress of the shoot.

Within the studio, we have alcohol based hand gels, disposable gloves and masks for guests. All communal surfaces, door handles, light switches, bottles of Gin etc etc are cleaned before and after visitors.

Within the building, all of the tenants take responsibility for general cleaning and hygiene to ensure our visitors remain safe and protected. (Unless you've an allergy to Mr. Sheen of course in which case, please tell us...).

Everyone at the photoshoot will be asked to read & accept The CV-19 Health Statement* at the foot of this page.

* PDF available on request, just ask!

We've identified the following as areas of interest:
2.1 Pre-production
2.2 Budget and contract
2.3 Office
2.4 Casting
2.5 The shoot
2.6 Talent on set
2.7 Location shooting
2.8 Studio shooting
2.9 Wardrobe
2.10 Hair and Make-up
2.11 Crew
2.12 Technical crew
2.13 Hired equipment
2.14 Catering
2.15 Transport
2.16 Health and Safety
2.17 PPE and sanitisation

  2.1 PRE-PRODUCTION (Including Agency & Client-side considerations)
(a) Creative concepts and briefs should ideally bear in mind current Government level restrictions. As photographers, we're able to advise agencies and advertisers as to how to set a brief which can be shot in compliance with the guidelines in order for safe production to take place.
(b) We'll hope to get approval from agency/client as early as possible and finalise as many creative decisions as possible in order to reduce last-minute changes on shoot days and to plan for health & hygiene requirements.
(c) We'll encourage early confirmation of projects to allow for additional prep time.
(d) We'll encourage and explain the importance of sticking to scheduled confirmation dates.
(e) Where possible all pre-production processes should be managed remotely. This includes: budgeting, production meetings, meetings with the agency and any PPMs.
(f) The AOP guidelines will be available to all involved in the production.

2.2 BUDGET AND CONTRACT
(a) Ideally there should be some provision for any additional cost requirements of these arrangements as it's conceivable that as regulations change, clients may be required to accommodate further costs which regular business insurances will not cover.
(b) Anyone attending the shoot for the agency, client and/or production company will be required to be aware of and adhere to the CV-19 AOP Production Guidelines.
(c) The production should be planned to minimise any CV-19 related disruption risks so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so. In respect of the CV-19 related risks to production which remain:
(i) Make provision for what happens in the event of such disruption (e.g. an agreement that key persons will be replaced if they become unavailable because of CV-19)
(ii) Have an agreement with the agency/client by which the agency/client will meet such costs (according to the terms of such an agreement) because insurance will not cover CV-19 risks to the production.

2.3 OFFICE
Avoid printing and paper distribution, except for clear safety posters on set if required, as CV-19 can remain active on paper and cardboard for up to 24hrs (longer on other surfaces.)

2.4 CASTING
(a) Where required, casting sessions and call-backs should be done remotely via video link-ups and self-casting.
(b) When casting children, their supervising adult should remain close at hand.
Please note: Depending on the nature of the work and circumstances, licences for child models may still be required from the local authority and is dependent on them being able to do so.
(c) Obviously, remote casting may prohibit rehearsal of interacting action.
(d) Those aged 70 or over, or with known pre-existing conditions should be given special consideration and enhanced measures.
(e) Consider and agree backup talent and costs where appropriate.

2.5 THE SHOOT
(a) Where possible, we'll try and "stagger" call times to avoid congestion.
(b) The production team should as small as possible and minimise the number of crew / agency / client / talent on set at any one time.
(c) All attendees should wash and thoroughly dry hands on arrival and at regular intervals during the day. Alcohol-based (70% minimum) sanitisers should be easily accessible throughout the set/location as well as soap and water provided wherever possible.
(d) Video-conferencing can relay images to remote clients for approval.
(e) Where possible, people on set can review images via WiFi to avoid clusters of people around the work station.
(f)   All crew will be expected to adhere to any safety guidelines or notices given on the day.
(g) If practical or necessary, space markers should be used.
(h) Do not share equipment.

2.6 TALENT ON SET 
Where 2m-distancing of talent might not seem achievable on set due to creative or other action required, if possible, adapt the process(es) as much as possible to be achievable within the guidance and regulations (e.g: use members of the same household, shoot individuals as separate images and composite in post etc.)

2.7 LOCATION SHOOTING
(a) Often, initial location research can be done remotely using location libraries or Google Street View etc etc.
(b) 2m-distancing must be used when visiting locations and meeting property owners/managers.
(c) Please note that many local Councils are unlikely to grant any filming/location permits at the moment.
(d) Try and ensure common areas and holding areas are outside wherever possible.
(e) Prefer/prioritise for one location per day, without crew moves.
(f) Prefer/prioritise for location in a 4G area, where possible, to transmit live video over the internet, if WiFi unavailable.
(g) Locations used should be well-ventilated.
(h) Avoid the use of vapours, steam and hazers (including but not limited to dry ice, oil, mists or glycol) as they are likely to keep airborne infections in the atmosphere longer.
(i) Where possible, all locations should share their own CV-19 guidelines.
(j) Locations should, ideally, be cleaned before and after shooting.
(k) Avoid distant locations which would require overnight accommodation for those involved. Also avoid locations which will not permit minimum 2m-distancing.
(l) All reccess' to involve minimum crew only (self-driving and maintaining 2m-distancing throughout). Masks and gloves should be available for all attendees as required c/o production.
(m) Location prep: Pre-light / set-build / set-dressing etc, should be undertaken separately by one crew / department at a time. 

2.8 STUDIO SHOOTING
bigcheese has a small supply of alcohol based hand gel, disposable gloves and facemarks for the safety of our studio visitors.
All communal surfaces, door handles, light switches etc etc are cleaned before and after visitors.
Within the building, all of the tenants take responsibility for general cleaning and hygiene to ensure all visitors remain safe and protected.

2.9 WARDROBE
(a) If fittings have to be done in person, then the stylist can set up clothes and supervise fitting from a safe distance.
(b) If fittings can be done at home they should be, relayed via video-call or photos.
(c) Stylists should use existing/talent-owned options where possible (shops and hire companies may be currently closed through risk of infection).
(d) Talent to dress themselves wherever possible (if they're able to!)
(e) If the styling team need to break 2m-distancing they should consider bringing and using their own enhanced PPE.

2.10 HAIR AND MAKE-UP (HMU) 
(a) HMU should use disposable kit where possible.
(b) All kit should remain unique to each artist/talent.
(c) Follow appropriate disinfecting processes, e.g., using Barbicide or equivalent.
(d) Talent to do their own HMU "touch-ups" where possible.
(e) If HMU team need to step in they should be prepared with enhanced PPE
(f) Keep HMU separate from Wardrobe. Provide sufficient space for both departments to maintain a minimum two metres distance.

2.11 CREW 
(a) Ideally, a person within the team should be made responsible for monitoring CV-19 related matters.
(b) All crew are required to declare any symptoms.
(c) All crew should have an email confirmation of their engagement or call-sheet in the event of being required to explain their need to travel.
NB: a waiver of rights by a crew member in respect of their contracting CV-19 is of no value - UK law does not permit excluding liability for causing injury or death through negligence, so a waiver is not part of this guidance.

2.13 EQUIPMENT
(a) CV-19 can (in certain circumstances) survive up to 72 hours on plastic and steel, so all equipment will be thoroughly cleaned prior to each assignment.
(d) As equipment is usually expensive and specialised, please rely on us to keep it clean - step away from the Mr Sheen...

2.14 CATERING
(a) Individual hot-box or individual pre-packed delivery should be used instead of mobile kitchen or buffet.
(c) Everyone must wash their hands before entering any catering/ dining area.
(d) Break and meal times should be staggered to minimise people congregating.
(e) Dining spaces should ensure increased distance while eating with at least 2 metres space to be observed between people.
(f) Disposable, recyclable plates and cutlery to be provided.
(g) Crew should be asked to supply their own hot and cold drinks where possible.

2.15 TRANSPORT
(a) Crew should drive themselves to set and avoid using public transport.
(b) Where required, production to organise transport using local services which are able to demonstrate that they can socially distance passengers.

2.16   HEALTH AND SAFETY
(a) We'll always take a few minute to consider a risk assessment of tasks on set.
(b) Clients should consider having a Health and Safety Officer on set for larger-scale shoots.
(c) Allocate someone from the crew to be a CV-19 officer to supervise other elements of CV-19 preparation and conduct on set.
(d) Production cannot safely confirm any crew or cast who have travelled to, or had any contact with an individual returning from, high CV-19 risk countries (as deemed by UK FCO) in the 14 days prior to a shoot.
(e) All crew and talent to provide contacts for family/household in case of emergency on the day of shooting.
(f) Individuals on the shoot should be contacted subsequently by the producer or commissioning client in the event that fellow workers are found to have contracted CV-19 within the two weeks following the shoot.
(g) All workers, if they have any symptoms associated with CV-19 in advance of work, should report to production and remain in quarantine at home, without going to their workplace.
(h) Avoid sharing hand tools and personal property (mobile phones, pens, walkie talkies etc.). Crew are responsible for the safety and sanitisation of their own items.

2.17 PPE AND SANITISATION
(a) Production to have supplies of PPE for those needing to wear it:

Please note: the correct procedure for donning and removal of PPE: (1) Wash and dry hands thoroughly,
(2) Put on mask,
(3) Put on gloves.
(4) Removal is a reversal of 1,2 and 3, i.e., remove gloves first.

(b) A separate covered bin should be provided for safe and immediate disposal of tissues and PPE.
(c) Production must have sufficient PPE of both tiers for all crew, and should bear in mind procurement timings and supplier credibility in respect of safety standards and environmental issues, and without knowingly compromising supplies to frontline care workers.
(d) Only remove talent PPE when essential.
(e) Clearly indicated and visible spacious hygiene stations for hand-washing, with plentiful supply of alcohol-based (70% min) hand sanitiser and wipes
(f) Each individual is responsible for keeping their own area and equipment clean.
(g) Clear health etiquette should be encouraged, possibly with posters around set (e.g: Wear appropriate PPE at all times / When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow / Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth & put down and pickup items rather than handing / Do not shake hands, nor hug & maintain 2m-distancing, etc.).

3. CV-19 HEALTH STATEMENT TO BE READ BY ALL SHOOT ATTENDEES:

As part of our commitment to provide a safe working environment for all on set during the current CV -19 situation, please read and accept the following conditions as part of your agreement for undertaking this production:

1. You MUST inform the production team if you: have CV-19, been tested positive for CV-19 or believe you have been exposed to CV-19.

2. You confirm that you have been meeting the CV-19 guidelines and 2m-distancing when at work or in public places.

3. You have not, to your knowledge, been in close contact with a confirmed case of CV-19 or anyone who is showing symptoms consistent with CV-19 within the last 14 days.

4. You have not travelled to, nor to your knowledge had any contact with any individual travelling from any high CV-19 risk countries (as deemed by UK FCO) in the 14 days prior to the shoot.

5. You have not had a new continuous cough, or a temperature of 38 degrees centigrade or above in the last 14 days.

6. If you develop a cough or a temperature of 38 degrees centigrade or above at any point before or during or within 14 days following the shoot you will immediately inform the production company /booking agent or photographer.

7. If you are over 70 years of age or have any pre-existing condition which would put yourself at increased risk of severe illness from CV-19, as defined by the Government guidelines, you must inform the production company /booking agent or photographer prior to the assignment.If you are over 70 years of age or have any pre-existing condition which would put yourself at increased risk of severe illness from CV-19, as defined by the Government here, you must inform production.

8. You MUST notify production immediately should anything change as regards to the above.

9. You have either heard or read and understood and agree to abide by the CV-19 AOP Shoot/Production Guidelines.

Please do contact us if you'd like a PDF version of this page.

Thank you for your understanding & co-operation during these difficult times.

and remember... "Be careful, it's a jungle out there"

Phone: +44 (0) 151 336 8882
E-mail: bigcheese