Lights, Camera, Contact Tracing: Why TV & Film Studios Need Wearables

With lingering lock downs and limited entertainment options, people are devouring content faster than ever before. According to Nielsen, global video consumption has increased 60% since the beginning of March, with streaming minutes up 60 billion since last year. But, like so many other industries, much of Hollywood has been shut down due to the pandemic. Fortunately, just as the world collectively runs out of shows to re-watch, TV and film studios are restarting production. Cue a global sigh of relief! But, as production roars back to life, the TV and film industry offers a textbook example of environments that need on-premise contact tracing (similar to other industries we’ve discussed in an earlier blog). Let’s break down why. 

First, social distancing is nearly impossible on a film set. So, while unions and studios ramp up testing, introduce zoned sets to limit contact, and designate health officers to oversee hygiene practices, ultimately there is still risk of infection because cast and crew must film in close quarters to get the shots, audio and impact a script calls for. In fact, in a recent panel discussion about returning to filming, three out of four producers noted that their sets already had at least one person test positive for Covid-19. Wearable contact tracing devices like Proxfinity’s ResCUE provide the hard data necessary to track these outbreaks in complex environments, increasing a studio’s ability to contain an outbreak and avoid shutting down production. Plus, in areas where creating safe space is possible, like production offices and camera control rooms, ResCUE can alert users to move at safer social distances for an extra layer of security.

Second, film sets are teeming with hundreds of people tackling a variety of tasks simultaneously. This makes manual contact tracing incredibly difficult and labor-intensive. Currently, sets are required to meticulously record the date, time, and participants in all production sessions to provide data necessary for contact tracing. But, with so many cast and crew working independently in such close quarters, it would prove very difficult for people to accurately remember all of their interactions -- even with the help of records -- rendering manual contact tracing relatively ineffective. Wearables like ResCUE eliminate the guesswork, and provide studios with the data they need to effectively contact trace on a crowded set. 

Other contact tracing tech like mobile apps won’t be very effective, either. For one, productions may shoot in remote locations where wifi or cellular connectivity isn’t possible. This would negate the effectiveness of a contact tracing app, or any tech that relies on signals. Alternatively, ResCUE registers badge-to-badge, making it an ideal solution no matter where the action is taking place. 

Privacy is also a big concern on set. Studios need to prevent set leaks that lead to spoilers, and celebrities may be extra-protective over their personal data. Contact tracing mobile apps have huge privacy issues, so a wearable device like ResCUE that works anonymously and can be left on set when workers leave is the smarter choice for studios.

The final reason productions need wearable contact tracing tech? In many ways, the TV and film industry is essential. No, they aren’t manufacturing a vaccine, but they are manufacturing the only source of outside entertainment still available to the millions of people cooped up in their houses. As essential workers, they deserve the peace of mind that their health and safety is being taken seriously, and wearable contact tracing tools help achieve that. 

Wearables are a great contact tracing solution for many industries, but for some, like TV and film, they are far and away the smartest choice. With Proxfinity’s ResCUE, studios can return to production with confidence. Interested? Book a demo.

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