Testimonials From the Set

“I worked on SAG-AFTRA short Assimilated out in the Angeles Forest in October. Our CCO Alison Kohlhardt was fantastic! I felt incredibly safe the whole weekend. We were shooting a sci-fi film and dressed for alien invasions … in hazmat suits. Since then, I’ve worked on one other AMC series. And I have to say, I actually feel safest when I’m on a set.”
— Hilary Barraford

“As an actor‐director-producer who is now serving as a COVID compliance officer, I now find myself advising productions on best practices and protocols to create a safer set during this pandemic. Along with education and training, my multihyphenate background is a major asset to implement COVID‐19 compliance procedures whilst keeping the production's creative goals in focus. My reminder to cast and crew is that we are in this together, that looking out for one another is vital and remember that returning to sets at this time is a privilege that comes with responsibility.”
— Alison Kohlhardt
[Photo: From left, Nick W. Nicholson, Hilary Barraford, COVID compliance officer Alison Kolhardt, Madison Elliott and Crafty St. James]

“Since returning to work as of last September, I feel the productions I have worked with have taken steps to ensure our safety. Multiple COVID tests before the actual work date and on-set protocols in place on the work dates are helpful to feel secure in the environment. I do feel, ultimately, the responsibility is up to me to make sure I feel safe through awareness, working with the knowledge I have, and to be respectful of my coworker's safety as well. We are in this together. We will get out of it, together.”
— Lynn Longos

“As frustrating and excessive as many of these protocols may seem at times, I feel like there is no safer place to be than on set. The compliance officers have been very diligent about enforcing consistent testing, capacity maximums, mask and face shield wearing, safe distancing and clearly defined zones. The layers of protection are very reassuring. I feel as safe as if I am quarantining at home.”
— Matt Kavanaugh

“I worked on the HBO Max "West Wing Reunion Special." I felt safe from day one and was very impressed by the thorough and consistent application of the safety protocols. I am grateful to the SAG-AFTRA Blue Ribbon Committee for their work in keeping me and my fellow actors safe.”
— Ron Ostrow

“Working on the set during the COVID pandemic has been an eye-opening experience. Staying 6 feet apart, face shields and receiving lunch in a tin foil box has become the new set normal. While I feel safe, it's an experience I hope will soon come to an end. I long for the days when I can hug my show biz friends, shake a stranger's hand, and sit face-to-face less than 6 feet apart and have a conversation without a facemask. Until then, we know the show must go on. Stay safe everyone. A vaccine is coming.”
— Lynne Burnett

“I worked on one of the first sitcoms to return to work in September. Sort of the ‘canary in the coal mine’ feeling. Turns out everything was quite organized and super-efficient regarding safety protocols and supplying of PPE for everyone. Three months in, things are still very strict, but we all know it has to be this way if we want to continue to work!”
— Roni Dressel

“I hear people complain about the set COOs. Yeah, it’s a pain in the butt. But the fact is, it’s much, much easier to breathe through a mask than a ventilator. We wear seatbelts because they save lives. Washing our hands, wearing a mask and social distancing are small acts we do to protect each other. I have great respect for the COO and COVID–testers, because their simple goal is to make sure the entire production crew, staff, and performers comply and wear the film set COVID “safety belts.”
— Matthew Modine

“I am part of a core group of background actors on a primetime TV series. Because of the three-times-weekly testing and the stringent safety protocols strictly enforced on set, I feel safer going to work than I do venturing out to the grocery store.”
— Linda Harcharic

“The COVID protocols on a series I guested on were amazingly detailed. My first day of work took some getting used to, and by the second day, I was in the swing of it. The lead actor even went beyond, by providing these little bubbles to sit in, all zipped up, so we could take our masks off and eat/drink something, and not waste time going back to our trailers. I felt safer on set than on the street!”
— Frances Fisher

“Working during the pandemic has been great! All the protocols put in place have made me feel as safe as we can be during this time. I feel reassured that with contact tracing and the rigorous testing being done, that I will not be put in harm's way. I am thankful to our union for making sure there is a new normal in place.”
— Natalia Castellenos

“Working on "Chicago Med" was an amazing experience, demonstrating how productions have stepped up and shown the country how to run safely during the pandemic. From the initial mailed COVID test to an entire soundstage dedicated to daily COVID tests, the safety protocols were top notch. Masks on between takes. No one but cast could take their masks off at any time. Craft services were separated into categories, and meals were always to go and delivered through partitioned panels. After someone tested positive, immediate contact tracing was implemented and the production shut down for two weeks as per protocol.”
— Tom Choi

“We all feel truly blessed that our producers are willing and able to spend the hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode it takes to provide all the necessary PPE and have our cast and crew tested up to three times a week. The only place where I feel more safe than on set is in my own home. Also, we all take wearing masks and safety protocols very seriously because, unless you’re actually saving lives, no job is worth your life or risking the lives of others by spreading this disease. Fortunately, we’ve gotten to know some of those frontline workers who actually do risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe. I’m incredibly proud to be part of shows that praise the heroism of all the medical professionals and first responders”
— Jason George

“I was first back on set at the end of August and I felt super safe, as it was a game show and each celeb guest had their own ‘pod.’ I did a movie and two TV shows in November and was tested 11 times that month. Ryan Murphy’s "9-1-1" had five tests, one before wardrobe fitting, where everyone but me wore full PPE. The show takes place during COVID-times, so the enormous crew AND all cast wore masks/plastic shields. Except my character, who was a jerky ‘Karen.’ Still, the only time it was scary was when I had to do a pool stunt! Shout out to stunt coordinator Shauna Duggins!”
— Lisa Ann Walter