Film bodies call for total shutdown till March 31 in light of Coronavirus outbreak
8:16 AM
Makers instructed to put film, television, OTT shoots on hold till March 31; ration, medical facilities being arranged for workers
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 16, 2020)
Mirror had recently reported (March 13) that the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) were among film bodies that instructed filmmakers to maintain hygiene and safety guidelines on sets to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
On Sunday, representatives from the two film bodies, along with Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC), Western India Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA), Association of Advertising Producers (ASAP) and Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), held a joint meeting at which it was decided to bring a halt to all ongoing film, TV and OTT shoots from March 19-31. “We have given everyone three days to wrap up pending work. The entire entertainment industry, including post-production work, will be on hold till March 31. Those shooting outside of India will have to return home,” said Birendra Nath Tiwari, President, FWICE.
When asked about the move’s impact on daily wage workers, Tiwari said, “The Federation is taking that into consideration. It’s a matter of just 11 days and health is the paramount concern. That said, we will try to arrange for ration and provide facilities for them. We already have an ambulance in place, along with free medicines and a doctor in case any worker needs emergency help.”
Ashoke Pandit, President, IFTDA, reiterated that lives are more important than monetary impact. “It’s an emergency situation with the entire nation fighting the virus. Lakhs of people are involved in shoots and it is our responsibility to take care of them,” he added.
Soon after the advisory, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra reached out to Pandit, along with Anubhav Sinha, Hansal Mehta, Sushant Singh, Sameer Nair and Nikkhil Advani on Twitter, with a question: “Shouldn’t we set up a fund for the junior technicians, our light boys, set workers, sound assistants etc?” His industry friends, along with others like Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap and Manish Mundra, offered support to the initiative.
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 16, 2020)
On Sunday, representatives from the two film bodies, along with Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC), Western India Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA), Association of Advertising Producers (ASAP) and Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), held a joint meeting at which it was decided to bring a halt to all ongoing film, TV and OTT shoots from March 19-31. “We have given everyone three days to wrap up pending work. The entire entertainment industry, including post-production work, will be on hold till March 31. Those shooting outside of India will have to return home,” said Birendra Nath Tiwari, President, FWICE.
When asked about the move’s impact on daily wage workers, Tiwari said, “The Federation is taking that into consideration. It’s a matter of just 11 days and health is the paramount concern. That said, we will try to arrange for ration and provide facilities for them. We already have an ambulance in place, along with free medicines and a doctor in case any worker needs emergency help.”
Ashoke Pandit, President, IFTDA, reiterated that lives are more important than monetary impact. “It’s an emergency situation with the entire nation fighting the virus. Lakhs of people are involved in shoots and it is our responsibility to take care of them,” he added.
Soon after the advisory, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra reached out to Pandit, along with Anubhav Sinha, Hansal Mehta, Sushant Singh, Sameer Nair and Nikkhil Advani on Twitter, with a question: “Shouldn’t we set up a fund for the junior technicians, our light boys, set workers, sound assistants etc?” His industry friends, along with others like Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap and Manish Mundra, offered support to the initiative.
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