Since the Government issued their latest set of guidelines, the Members of A.S.P.E.C. (Association of Studios and Production Equipment Companies) have found themselves under a degree of pressure to re-open their businesses to production. The realisation dawned that, without camera, grip, lighting and ancillary equipment, any return to meaningful work was nigh on impossible. Therefore, as soon as there was an indication that the lock-down would be eased, the A.S.P.E.C. Membership resolved to begin the process of developing a consistent “Return to Work” strategy.
A decision was taken to construct a consistent “Return to Work” protocol for all the Member Companies by way of sharing of information. The aim was to reach a consensus whereby there would be consistency across the Membership. This would be by way of the development of guidance, risk assessments, protocols, hygiene, sanitisation and the like. Indeed, all the disciplines attendant with attempting to ensure as much confidence and security to the Members’ Customer base as well as their staff within their workplaces.
To this end, the Membership have begun the onerous task of compiling protocols for a staged “Return to Work”, with this goal uppermost in their minds. Thus, there have been a series of online meetings of all the Membership, plus sub-committees comprising one for camera, grip, remote systems and one for production lighting companies.
It would be the hope of the Membership that through these online meetings, they would gain a better understanding as to a date when all companies forming the Association would be in a position to open their doors in a staged and safest way possible. There has been a proposal made that at the point at which all the Member Companies sign-off on a consistent set of protocols that they issue a “Kite Mark”. It would be the hope of the A.S.P.E.C. Membership that this would give the productions employing the Member Company’s equipment packages and thereby, their employees, at least some degree of comfort.
I would hope that the preceding would be of some assistance in clarifying the position of the A.S.P.E.C. Membership at this time.
Keep safe and kind regards,
J. Barry Measure
Acting Chair, A.S.P.E.C.
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