Filming
Filming Industry Update
On Monday 13 December the government introduced limited COVID-19 restrictions across England, as part of their Plan B, in response to the risks of the Omicron variant.
This has led to some changes in the country wide guides such as the BFC’s Working Safely During COVID-19 (British Film Commission – Working Safely During COVID-19 in Film and High-end TV Drama Production), particularly in relation to self isolation and testing requirements.
By continuing to follow the approved COVID-19 guidance highlighted below, Film and TV production will be able to continue in the Capital and locations can continue to accommodate shoots and recces that are carried out in-line with the guidance.
As highlighted by Government guidance businesses that have otherwise had to close to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, are permitted to remain open “for the purposes of film”
Legislation states restrictions “do not prevent the use of…
- any premises used for the making of a film, television programme, audio programme or audio-visual advertisement”
It is essential that all filming activity is carried out in a COVID secure manner and that industry guidance is rigorously adhered to. As the approved COVID-19 guidance highlights, productions should allow sufficient time to plan shoots to ensure that they can film in a COVID-secure environment.
Productions also have a duty to check the specifics of any local restrictions where they are working, if elsewhere in England, or in the devolved nations and regions.
Production companies filming in the City will be expected to follow prevailing government guidance about safe working practices and are expected to have familiarised themselves with this guidance.
Film London’s document titled COVID-19 Guidance for Location filming provides links to relevant guidance and a checklist of actions.
Contact the Film Team
Joanna Burnaby-Atkins: 020 7332 3202
Mick Bagnall: 020 7332 3182
Email the Film Team
Find the right location
The City Film Team is based in the City of London, also known as the Square Mile, and they can help you plan your shoot: from getting permissions for hoarding licenses and parking dispensations to organising road closures and police assistance, when necessary.
Shooting outside the City boundaries
If you want to film in London or you are not sure in which borough your location may fall into, contact Film London