Licorice Pizza - Speculation & General Reactions

[Alma]

Joel Coen's Macbeth started shooting again in LA and is apparently going fine (although I think it's all on sound stages) and Rodrigo Prieto gave an interesting interview talking about how they shot Taylor Swift's new music video with new protocols in place and how it will affect Killers of the Flower Moon:

But working with Swift, he said, did point a way forward for the industry at large as it grapples with how to restart production amid the pandemic. "I've come to realize—because I did the shoot and I've done some other couple commercials as well—that it's possible because everybody's very conscious of this and everybody wants to keep working," he said. "There are a lot of protocols that are in place and that I've seen that are being done on every set. I think we'll just have to keep remembering to do all these things. So far I haven't heard of anybody getting sick. We'll try to keep it that way."

Also would really recommend the Soderbergh interview Wilder posted on the She Dies Tomorrow thread for more info about the safety measures, how it's all going etc. It seems like people are at least trying to start everything up again, although I guess this one is dependent on when Cooper finishes filming Nightmare Alley and whether anything else changes in that time, which seems likely to be honest.

[wilberfan]

Is filming really opening up in California soon?

We need someone to enlighten us about that. Right now any filming in the state is forbidden until the authorities give permission? I thought there were efforts in the last few weeks to find some kind of an arrangement with all the health measures etc that productions would have to comply with in order to resume working. That's not still the case?

Was reading this just yesterday:

Here's why resuming TV and film production has gotten so complicated

Four months since the COVID-19 pandemic halted film and TV shoots, Hollywood has struggled to get back to business. Film sets, known for being crowded and often unclean, have faced a raft of challenges, including complying with testing and other rigorous health-and-safety rules intended to curb new outbreaks, dealing with unwelcoming neighborhoods and extra scrutiny by unions.

So far, most of the filming activity has been confined to small commercials and music videos. But the problems are expected to intensify as 100-plus teams for major movies and TV series resume filming on the streets of L.A.

"A lot of people imagined that this was going to be like flipping a light switch and everything was just going to turn back on, and it's proving not to be quite like that," said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA chief operating officer and general counsel. "But we are seeing the pace getting quicker, especially for shorter duration productions like commercials, music videos and other productions that need just a few days."

In recent months, unions and an alliance of major Hollywood studios have collaborated with L.A. County health officials to create safety guidelines that would avoid outbreaks on film sets.

"So far we have been able to get cooperation from almost all producers on the safety standards we are looking for," Crabtree-Ireland said. "We are talking various groups of employers in the industry to establish mutually agreed, detailed protocols that we believe will become the automatic default for all those production environments."

Among other measures, the new rules require on-set COVID-19 safety officers to enforce safety protocols; frequent cleaning of areas and equipment; limited filming hours; and the creation of zones separating crew who cannot socially distance or wear masks as part of their jobs. They will have to be tested every three days while others, who can maintain distance and wear protective equipment, would be tested once a week.

Some productions, however, have struggled to comply with the rules.

"Songbird," a thriller set in 2022 and coproduced by Michael Bay , was hit with a rare Do Not Work notice from SAG-AFTRA on July 2. The producers had "not been transparent about their safety protocols," SAG-AFTRA spokeswoman Pamela Greenwalt said.

The notice meant none of the union's members, including the movie's star, Demi Moore, would be able to participate in the shoots planned around Los Angeles. Within 24 hours, the union rescinded the notice after the production finalized and signed an appropriate safety protocol, a person with knowledge of the production said.

The troubles didn't stop there. The filmmakers planned to film over several days and at night in Boyle Heights. Some residents, however, balked at the prospect of having a large production in their neighborhood.

"We were just worried about COVID-19 risk and the parking situation. Everything right now is tough and having any disruption to your routine is a big issue," said Sam Cornwall, a 34-year-old photographer who lodged a complaint with FilmLA, the nonprofit group that handles film permits. "No one needs to die for a Michael Bay movie. We have a lot of neighbors at risk."

The complaint became moot when the company moved the shoot to another location to accommodate a script change.

FilmLA has issued about 350 permits since mid-June and received roughly three dozen complaint calls. Of the total 54 issues raised, 17 had to do with illegal productions that were later shut down by police.

"That is one of the greatest concerns we have because that nonpermitted film activity is probably not either aware of, or following, those guidelines," FilmLA President Paul Audley said.

"Everyone, not just the film industry, everyone is having a problem right now getting tests and getting those test results back quickly," he said. That can lead to delays in or cancellations of film shoots.

"Courting Mom & Dad," a family movie featuring actor Scott Baio, also was called out by SAG-AFTRA.

The union on June 13 issued a Do Not Work order for the movie, which was filming throughout L.A., because it had not complied with the new COVID-19 safety rules, including mask wearing and social distancing. The union said it is working with the production to resolve the matter. Pure Flix, the film's producer and distributor, did not respond to requests for comment.

"There are people in the industry with all different viewpoints, including people who question the science behind the protocols or the validity of the pandemic itself," Crabtree-Ireland said. But the lengthy rules set out by health officials are designed to avoid outbreaks, even if cast or crew members aren't sheltering at home or taking precautions, he said.

Seven complaints were related to COVID-19, mainly from residents worried about interacting with crews and about the safety requirements on set.

The biggest impediment to returning to business is testing, Audley said.
"Throughout the preproduction process we have remained in close discussions with the guilds and various Hollywood film groups, and our new production model meets and exceeds all safety guidelines outlined by not only SAG but also L.A. County Public Health's white paper, 'The Safe Way Forward,' and FilmLA," the company said.

Despite the measures, some performers and crew members are worried about the risk of infection. Bell said that not everyone from the original cast and crew of "The Bold and the Beautiful" returned to filming because of concerns about the health risks.

Some productions, however, have been using the new guidelines without issue.

The cast and crew of the Focus Features thriller "The Card Counter," starring Oscar Isaac, returned to Biloxi, Miss., this month to complete shooting that had been halted in March after a supporting cast member tested positive for the virus.

This time, all the cast and crew were tested before they could even attend production meetings, said Ryan McCormick, the film's makeup department head.

The entire crew had their temperatures taken daily, and McCormick was tested for COVID-19 again three days into the shoot.

She wore a mask, like everyone else on set, and a face shield to do the makeup of the leading actors. Contact was minimized, with only one person at a time allowed to touch the actors. Hand sanitizer was handed out, and there were frequent reminders to clean up, she said.

"I was very trepidatious at first, but I felt like they really knew what they were doing and spared no expense to make sure crew and cast were safe," said McCormick, a veteran makeup artist who is based in Salt Lake City. "They were taking it very seriously. I felt as safe as you possibly can."

Still, a growing concern for producers is the rising number of COVID-19 cases. L.A. officials have warned of a new stay-at-home order, which would imperil what little filming has started in the county.

"Everyone is reluctant to start a shoot that could be shut down," said Sam Nicholson, chief executive of Pasadena visual effects company Stargate Studios. "I do believe that until we get our new COVID-19 infection rate under control, that everyone in the production chain from the studios, to producers and directors, to actors and crew, lack the confidence to make any substantial local production commitments."

Source

[wilberfan]

"No one needs to die for a Michael Bay movie."

I'll bet there might be a few volunteers for a PTA movie... 

[Drenk]

Yeah. This isn't safe...

[pynchonikon]

This won't be totally safe until nobody knows exactly when (and in winter with the seasonal flu and stuff, the things are expected to be much worse), and this is undoubtedly a hell of a situation.

But eventually, somehow the life has to go on.

This could very well be postponed indefinitely, but all the activity lately (moving to MGM, casting calls/negotiations, location scouts etc) indicates they're trying to make this work as soon as it is feasible, hopefully with the least possible interferences on Paul's vision. And I tend to believe that they aren't integrally dependent on Nightmare Alley's schedule.

[Drill]

I don't see how it starts filming this year. I don't even know why he'd even want to, with all the likely restrictions.

[kingfan011]

Agreed and like I said unless Del Toro drastically changed the book Bradley Cooper is in every scene of Nightmare Alley and they still have like half the movie to shoot right?

[Drill]

As far as I know, Cooper isn't yet confirmed for this. Jeremy Renner and James Franco were in talks for The Master, RDJ was in talks for IV, etc. 

[wilberfan]

FilmLA Sees Uptick in Film Permit Applications to 18 a Day

FilmLA is reporting that 18 film permit applications are being submitted per day since resuming remote operations on June 15 — about 34% of the pre-pandemic level.

The number of daily applications for location shooting in Los Angeles has risen from the average of 14 it reported on July 1. FilmLA, which closed down in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said it has received approximately 577 film permit applications from 422 unique projects since it re-opened, with only 9% of those for film and television projects.

Nearly two-thirds of the applications cover activity in the advertising industry, such as still photography and commercials. The agency said reality TV production has also started to resume but cautions that overall activity will remain low until scripted television and feature production pick up – which is expected in early September.

More at source:

https://variety.com/2020/film/news/filmla-uptick-film-permit-applications-1234726417/

[Lewton]

Oh you must watch The Mosquito Coast. It's a real one of a kind performance from Harrison Ford, great movie too.

Sounds good. I'm slowly making my way across Weir's filmography and I've been impressed with what I've seen so far.

As far as I know, Cooper isn't yet confirmed for this. Jeremy Renner and James Franco were in talks for The Master, RDJ was in talks for IV, etc.

At first I thought it was confirmed but yeah, it seems Cooper is only "in talks" at this point. A lot could change between now and the actual production. If I recall correctly, Jeremy Renner even sat down to do a table read with PSH for The Master. Then there was a long delay shortly thereafter. It was never clear to me if that delay was because PTA realized Renner wasn't actually the best fit for the part or if the script simply needed to be retooled, or maybe it was a mix of both. 

Speaking of casting, I recently found out two bits of casting trivia that I had missed...well, either missed or forgotten. Robert Pattinson was invited to audition for TWBB and PTA asked Joaquin to be in Boogie Nights.

[Tdog]

Oh you must watch The Mosquito Coast. It's a real one of a kind performance from Harrison Ford, great movie too.

Sounds good. I'm slowly making my way across Weir's filmography and I've been impressed with what I've seen so far.

As far as I know, Cooper isn't yet confirmed for this. Jeremy Renner and James Franco were in talks for The Master, RDJ was in talks for IV, etc.

At first I thought it was confirmed but yeah, it seems Cooper is only "in talks" at this point. A lot could change between now and the actual production. If I recall correctly, Jeremy Renner even sat down to do a table read with PSH for The Master. Then there was a long delay shortly thereafter. It was never clear to me if that delay was because PTA realized Renner wasn't actually the best fit for the part or if the script simply needed to be retooled, or maybe it was a mix of both. 

Speaking of casting, I recently found out two bits of casting trivia that I had missed...well, either missed or forgotten. Robert Pattinson was invited to audition for TWBB and PTA asked Joaquin to be in Boogie Nights.

PTA also tried to get Joaquin for TWBB. I assume it was either for Eli or Henry. My money would be on Henry.

[Drill]

Didn't GDT say they're only 40% finished with Nightmare Alley? If Cooper is in every scene, then yeah, I'm not sure how that would work. The role in this sounds like the 2nd biggest after the kid. Probably not something you can shoot around/wait for. Especially since it sounds like Paul wants to start this the second he gets the green light (but again, not sure that's the wisest decision, for a number of reasons).

[WorldForgot]

The role in this sounds like the 2nd biggest after the kid.

How much do we rly know about this movie?

[Tdog]

Very little. Most reports have said its about a child actor, others have said its about an exchange student and never mentioned the acting side at all.

Also the forum member who supposedly has been reliable in the past (according to other members), said PTA's next movie was set in the present day, which is now said to be not true. So who the hell knows really?

[jviness02]

Oh you must watch The Mosquito Coast. It's a real one of a kind performance from Harrison Ford, great movie too.

Sounds good. I'm slowly making my way across Weir's filmography and I've been impressed with what I've seen so far.

As far as I know, Cooper isn't yet confirmed for this. Jeremy Renner and James Franco were in talks for The Master, RDJ was in talks for IV, etc.

At first I thought it was confirmed but yeah, it seems Cooper is only "in talks" at this point. A lot could change between now and the actual production. If I recall correctly, Jeremy Renner even sat down to do a table read with PSH for The Master. Then there was a long delay shortly thereafter. It was never clear to me if that delay was because PTA realized Renner wasn't actually the best fit for the part or if the script simply needed to be retooled, or maybe it was a mix of both. 

Speaking of casting, I recently found out two bits of casting trivia that I had missed...well, either missed or forgotten. Robert Pattinson was invited to audition for TWBB and PTA asked Joaquin to be in Boogie Nights.

PTA said in an interview for Phantom Thread that the delay for The Master was because he realized the script wasn't "ready",  but he could also just be saying that to be polite to Renner. It's probably a bit of both. It all worked out. Phoenix owns that movie.