Moving Forward as the World Stands Still: Andrea Lyman

“I was on set for a production that still had about four days of shooting left. The producers that day gathered everyone in to talk about possible next steps, but within minutes, we were wrapped. The next day I went to a fitting for a pilot, but within 24 hours, production had shut down.

“It’s been a lot for our local because we were really in a boom here. There were more productions in New England than there had ever been before, and then it was gone just like that. People are afraid that the work might not come back, and it’s an uncomfortable feeling; it’s frustrating.

“Right now, as local president, I have been doing outreach to members and letting them know they can ask for help. I’ve also been using Zoom for readings I do with other performers a few times a week and online classes through the YMCA, and I’m surprised that I work full-out even though no one can see me! I don’t want to get out of this pandemic and feel like I didn’t learn something new, so I’m thinking of getting friends together to make self-tapes and exchange them. I’m a pretty positive person, and one that’s always going to search for the joy in things.

“I think the work of our leadership for the CARES Act has been phenomenal. Creative artists are a group that falls through the cracks, so the fact that unions all got together and demanded to be included, and leadership fought for us to be seen, means more than anything. Not only have they helped our members, but many other workers.

“I don’t really know how the industry will change. I don’t know what kind of risks I can take, but we shouldn’t just think about ourselves and risk hurting other people. Everything is ever-evolving; I have no idea if there will be background or stand-in work and who will get to do it. The best-case scenario would be a vaccine or hiring people to keep sets clean, but I think people are going to be making their own films and productions and have actors filming themselves at home. Already we’re seeing it happening, so that may play a more important role.”

By Andrea Lyman
SAG-AFTRA New England Local President

This item originally featured in the SAG-AFTRA magazine spring 2020 issue.