Big problems await small screen shootings

Chennai: The State government recently gave permission to begin shoot for television serials with restrictions that included only 20 persons at the spot.

However FEFSI president RK Selvamani along with TV serial producers met Information and Publicity Minister Kadambur Raju Tuesday and urged him to allow them shoot with at least 50 persons.

Selvamani said, “It is impossible to shoot with 20 persons. So many are still waiting. Hope the authorities concerned will accept our request and grant permission”.

Meanwhile, general secretary of Society of Television Producers of Southern India ( STEPS), Khushbu Sundar, said, “As there were no shootings for past two months, our workers suffered a lot. We are thankful to State government for giving us the permission. But we need at least 50 people to resume shoot. That’s why we haven’t begin our work. We assure that all safety measures will be followed. Strict rules to keep coronavirus at bay will be employed if we get a green signal”.

Meanwhile, a few in the industry say that there are more problems that need to be addressed. “Majority of heroines in serials aired in various television channels are from other States. Even if they reach Chennai to start shooting, they need to be quarantained for at least seven days upon their arrival. They are put up in places like Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai”.

Also many of the artistes’ lack own transport facilities. So bringing them to shooting spots need more care and attention, they add.

“It is an acid test for producers of small screen serials. Any hitch in their work will spell doom for big screen. The government may delay granting permission to cinema shootings if rules are not properly during shoot of television serials. To work without ACs or fans will be a challenge. Make-up should stay and with peak summer the artistes may sweat a lot,” they add.

“If television serials require at least 50 people to come together, cinema may need at least 100. Managing them and following restrictions laid by the government will be tough. Also masks and santisers should be provided to all round-the-clock”.

“Change is permanent. We have to come up with new strategies and get things going. Measures to fight corona should be strictly followed. But the work has to begin too. It is the matter of livelihood for many”, say a few industrymen.