Film and TV briefing: Friday 22 May 2020

If you are looking for advice in relation to any of the issues mentioned, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

In the news

Broadcasters have agreed new coronavirus safety guidelines in order to get UK television shows back into production (The Guardian)

The BBC is looking into bringing back BBC Three as an on-air channel four years after it was moved online (BBC News)

Sources suggest that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are considering plans to postpone next year’s Oscars (Variety)

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic the BBC’s commercial arms are looking to reduce costs by £140M over the course of the next year (Screen Daily)

On Wednesday the BBC revealed it is considering changing BBC Four into a global subscription service following rumours the channel could be closed (Deadline)

Blumhouse are planning to shoot a low budget film on the Universal lot in a project that could set a precedent for coronavirus-era productions (Hollywood Reporter)

The Writers Guild of America and the major studios have begun negotiating the renewal of the WGA’s master TV/theatrical agreement (Hollywood Reporter)

The Shanghai Film Festival is the latest festival to be added to the list of events postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic (Variety)

A number of companies have written to the Scottish parliament’s culture committee expressing concern at the impact of Covid-19 on the Scottish film industry (The National)

Features and commentary

Variety examines the impact of Covid-19 on viewing figures for the major media conglomerates (Variety)

The Hollywood Reporter looks at the changing nature of remote production for unscripted TV (Hollywood Reporter)

The Guardian looks at how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the animation and special effects industry (The Guardian)

Industry announcements

Ofcom imposes a sanction on religious TV broadcaster Loveworld over potentially harmful claims about Covid-19 (Ofcom)

Women in Film and TV announce the results of a survey revealing many freelancers in the industry are facing financial hardship (WFTV)

Legal Updates

PACT and UK Broadcasters issue Covid-19 guidance for TV production (Simkins LLP)

New Government Guidance on Holiday Rights for Furloughed Employees (Simkins LLP)

Resources

Pact INDIE E-Festival: What’s on and what’s coming up (PACT).