It’s no surprise that COVID-19 and the rules of social distancing have impacted our industry in more ways than one. For our full-service production team at Matter Films, it has changed their process dramatically and has forced them to think differently when it comes to creating content. To understand how our team at Matter has had to evolve in the past few months, we chatted with Senior Producer, Kyle Gilbert, to get his take.

What immediate changes did you see at the start of the pandemic in regards to production execution?

Kyle Gilbert:  COVID-19 has caused a rollercoaster of emotions and processes in the production community. Like many individuals, the start of the pandemic shocked our industry, and we had to figure out how to adapt quickly. In the first month or so, everything production-related shut down completely. For nearly every project, production requires people to gather in large groups, which sometimes leads to up to over a hundred individuals in one space. Since large-scale productions typically need experts from all departments, as well as talent, these companies and agencies quickly moved to remote sets, and had to develop strategic ways to create content while at home.

How have you seen agencies, or teams, get creative? 

Kyle Gilbert:  I am a big SNL fan, and I personally admire how they made the switch rather swiftly. If you’re a fan as well, you know that SNL did their at-home shows with the cast filming their own segments from the comfort of their couch. This is a great example of how teams got creative by turning the talent into the full crew and cast. The talent not only filmed themselves with the camera they had at home, but were in charge of putting together their own wardrobe too. Secondly, I love how the group, Glass Animals, put together their music video for the song Dreamland. If you watch through the entire video, there is a great behind the scenes look into how a full “Production 101” kit was shipped to the lead singer Dave Bayley. He gives you an inside look into how he filmed and starred in the music video all by himself with an instruction manual created by the director and production company.

Have you seen your clients shift their priorities when it comes to budget and preparation? 

Kyle Gilbert: I have to say overall budgets are relatively the same, but now more and more expenses are going towards COVID-19 precautions instead of the usual team expenses. For example, clients are now paying extra to include COVID-19 testing, remote viewing capabilities, PPE, sanitization on set, pre packaged catering, extra crew members like compliance officers and medics, and much more. Depending on crew size, these added precautions can tact on thousands of dollars that were not originally planned for when concepting. It is now up to producers and directors to get creative on how they fit these costs into their budgets and still deliver the creative that the client is expecting. 

How has Matter Films changed their processes and specializations?

Kyle Gilbert: Matter has quickly adapted its process in how we approach productions during this time.

• All producers and staff have gone through official COVID-19 safety training and are COVID-19 certified
• Everyone on our sets must wear masks and maintain a 6 foot distance when able to
• We hire COVID-19 compliance officers or set medics on every production 
• We screen all cast, crew and individuals when they enter set with a questionnaire and temperature screening
• For larger productions that have budget that allows, we get all set attendees COVID-19 tested 
• We aim to cast real families or individuals that have been quarantined together for talent since talent can’t always wear masks on camera
• We offer remote viewing of sets to clients
• We make sure to provide extra sanitization for equipment and sets

Are you hopeful about the future?

Kyle Gilbert: Nothing has returned to the pre-pandemic norm just yet as testing, masks, sanitization, COVID-19 compliance officers, set medics and smaller crews have become the new way of business. The industry is doing a great job of adapting, but I know the crew can’t wait for the day they don’t have to breathe their own breath all day behind the masks we have all come to know and love.

Matter has now developed a process for every size production to keep everyone safe during this uncertain time. No matter the size of the production we take all the same precautions to make sure we maintain a safe set, and we continue to deliver great results despite the changing world.

About the Author: KYLE GILBERT IS AN AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER AND PHOTOGRAPHER WHOSE WORK HAS BEEN FEATURED IN THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS , TELLY AWARDS AND IN POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINES. HE IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS AND ACTING SENIOR PRODUCER AT MATTER FILMS, A SUBSET OF ONE OF PHOENIX’S LARGEST AGENCIES, OH PARTNERS. KYLE’S WORK HAS SPANNED ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES, BUT HIS CORE FOCUS HAS BEEN TELLING STORIES THAT MATTER THROUGH PARTNERING WITH SOME OF THE SOUTHWEST’S TOP TALENT.