Hollywood plans post-coronavirus restart, but normal won't return 'for a long time'

Hollywood is slowly reopening as the coronavirus pandemic rages, but with strict social distancing guidelines in place.

Earlier this month, SAG-AFTRA ā€” in conjunction with other Hollywood unions and guilds ā€” released a detailed report outlining new health and safety procedures. The move followed a three-month industry shutdown that left the majority of workers furloughed or unemployed, and cost the industry billions.

ā€œI donā€™t think weā€™re going to be returning to normal for a long time,ā€ SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris told Yahoo Finance in a recent interview.

ā€œPeople have to remember there is no such thing as entering back into work [completely] ā€˜safe.ā€™ It will only be ā€˜saferā€™, so weā€™ve worked with epidemiologists, scientists and the medical professionals to really talk about what that means,ā€ added Carteris, an alumna of the hit 90s drama, ā€œBeverly Hills 90210.ā€

The key components of the reopening plan will include:

  • Frequent COVID-19 testing

  • Closed sets with no visitors

  • A 'zone system' to maintain social distancing measures

  • Sanitation and disinfection practices

Hollywood is reopening amid the coronavirus ā€” with strict social distancing guidelines in place.

Additionally, sets will have a designated health safety supervisor (and associated department) to take charge of the testing process and coordination.

ā€œTesting is paramount for us,ā€ Carteris explained. ā€œWeā€™re looking for the best test available [to give us] that high-percentage of correct results.ā€

Yet, some critics say the plan is not conducive to smaller-budget productions like reality TV and documentaries, which could lack the infrastructure needed for tighter regulation.

ā€œI know itā€™s a challenge [but] they have to be regulated like that,ā€ Carteris said.

ā€œMaybe if they are not able to fulfill those interests that are put out by the guidelines, they shouldnā€™t be opening, but truly, a smaller production is not going to be as challenged because we will be able to work with those,ā€ she added.

Carteris went on to explain how larger productions are of greater concern ā€” noting that the number of background performers will most likely be limited due to ā€œpotential downsidesā€ and safety risks.

And as for those romantic kissing scenes? Well, they might just become a thing of the past. Carteris told Yahoo Finance that on-screen intimacy wonā€™t be ā€œas graphicā€ as theyā€™ve been in recent years.

ā€œI think weā€™re going to go back in time a little bit to where people are able to use their imagination more,ā€ Carteris predicted.

ā€œWeā€™re going to find innovative ways to tell stories. Youā€™re still going to be gratified by the intimacy thatā€™s going to happen, but it will be shot differently, stories will be told differently,ā€ she continued.