Coronavirus Outbreak: British shows plan on resuming production with safety precautions, as Emmerdale leads the way

After weeks of shutdown, British soap opera Emmerdale is back in production, leading the way when it comes to resuming regular filming during the coronavirus era. (Click  here  to follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak) New health and safety methods were tested during a series of special lockdown episodes that showed the fictional family dramas of the rural Yorkshire village played out during the pandemic. These episodes are airing now. [caption id=“attachment_8471961” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”]  Emmerdale resume production on set with safety precautions. AP[/caption] During production, there were temperature checks, the crew lived together in isolation, the cast did their own hair and make-up and there were individual prop trolleys. A pole was used to make sure people stayed 2 meters (6 feet) apart. It went so well, that they began shooting regular episodes Monday. Now other soaps are contacting them to learn how they were able to get back on the set. TV and movie production around the world shutdown nearly three months ago after the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 400,000 people worldwide. _Coronavirus Outbreak: Film, TV production in the US allowed to resume shoot from 12 June, says California officials_ “We felt very, very determined to get it back,” executive producer Jane Hudson said. “I always reference my nan, she watches all the soaps, and she’s 86 and she’s on her own, and none of us can visit her. There’s lots of nans out there, who want to see the soaps.” Emmerdale has been on screen in the UK since 1972 and was in danger — like many serial dramas — of running out of episodes after the production halt. Rival London-based soap EastEnders runs out of fresh episodes 16 June. Producers will broadcast special programming and iconic shows until the soap can begin production. At Emmerdale, Hudson’s willingness to embrace ways to implement government guidelines on social distancing meant a minimal team of cast and crew returned to work on the Leeds set on 20 May. “I consider us to be pioneers going back, we’re the first show back to production in continuing drama,” said actor James Hooton, who has played soap’s Sam Dingle on and off for 25 years. “We’ve gone for the gold standard of health and safety, because obviously there are a lot of people at this time that are extremely concerned about going back to work,″ Hooton said. “And for me, to see what everyone has done to make people feel as protected in that working environment as possible, has been amazing.” The most useful addition to the set is the 2-meter (6 foot) pole. Not seen on screen, but constantly used, the pole measures the distance between people. _Coronavirus Outbreak: Hollywood studios propose frequent testing among other safeguard measures to resume filming_ Actors do their own hair and makeup while being monitored by technicians from another part of the studio. Jeff Hordley, who plays brooding Cain Dingle, got off lightly with “covering a couple of spots and putting some hair product in,” he said. The environment is controlled with taped out areas, no location scenes or extras and specially cleaned prop trolleys — each set up individually. For example, a scene between newlywed characters Sam and Lydia involved the reading of a letter. “We had two copies of that letter as it’s classed as contamination if two individuals that are socially distancing on set touch the same thing,” Hooton explained. “It’s bestowed a bit more responsibility on us all so we have to make sure we have everything we need for our working day on that (props) trolley,” he adds. For Hordley, the weird thing is reuniting with the crew after months away and, as the technical team are all in isolation together, he can’t greet them properly. “It’s just strange because we are such a huggy bunch being actors, as I’m sure everyone in the world right now could do with a hug. That’s the weird thing is, seeing them and not naturally going towards them,” he said. The lockdown episodes are much more like a play than a normal Emmerdale episode, which would feature village locations and plenty of socializing scenes in The Woolpack pub. There’s a maximum of three characters on an indoor set, with no extras involved. And the storylines mirror that of the audience — stuck at home over the past three months because of the coronavirus, worrying about family, missing friends, panicking about food supplies or taking stock of your life. Hordley’s Cain Dingle is not a caring sort and being trapped with his heartbroken nephew Aaron leads to amusing moments and poignant scenes. “I’m sure there will be lots of people in lockdown having revelations about how to live their life because it really makes you quite introspective, having this time to yourself,” Hordley said. Showrunners from around the world want to speak to Hudson about how production was resumed. She’s talked to Neighbours in Australia, Shortland Street in New Zealand, and Coronation Street, down the highway in Manchester. “Rating figures are so important. Right now, we can just put them to one side for the moment and let’s get us all back working safely. I think that’s the priority,” Hudson said. “The soaps are one genre and we rise and fall together and I don’t want to see any soap failing during this. I want us to all come back strong.” Emmerdale’s lockdown episodes are showing Monday and Wednesday on ITV in the UK.