It is a problem for insurers; how can you cover productions from being halted after a localised Covid-19 outbreak? A major movie set could be spending millions per day, and yet grind to a halt after just a handful of people test positive for the virus. Close contact scenes for actors are another area where the virus could spread very quickly too.
So, in a major move to jump start the UK’s creative sectors following lockdown, the Culture Secretary has announced the launch of a Government-backed scheme worth half a billion pounds for domestic film and TV productions struggling to get coronavirus-related insurance.
The Government has also set out how organisations can apply for £880 million in grants from next week as part of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which is the Government’s biggest ever one-off investment in the arts.
The new UK-wide £500 million Film and TV Production Restart Scheme will help to get TV and film productions across the country that have been halted or delayed by a lack of insurance to get back up and running, by giving productions the confidence they need that they will be supported if future losses are incurred due to Covid-19.
It will fill the gap left by the lack of available insurance and cover coronavirus-related losses for cast member and crew illnesses and filming delays or disruptions caused by the ongoing battle against the virus.
In the UK, the film and television production industry supports more than 180,000 jobs and contributes more than £12 billion to the economy annually.
The funding will be available to all productions made by companies where at least half of the production budget is spent in the UK and is estimated to cover more than 70% of the film and TV production market to the end of the year.
In addition some £622m is being provided to the heritage and Arts sector, with £500m being distributed by the Arts Council. The cash will be used to keep some regional theatres, galleries and museums ticking over until next year.
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