Too many families have and continue to be impacted by the virus, including readers of this newsletter. To paraphrase a famous quote, "Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their community."

At this juncture, our film community has been familiar with, adopted to, and implemented the new protocols necessary for workplace/set health safety. While we will continue to include the link to that information in each newsletter, this week we are focusing on what your responsibilities outside of the workplace now entail. Please take the time to review the restrictions and follow the guidelines that are now in effect for the entire state of Illinois. Also included in this edition are updates on pilots now filming in Illinois, and premieres for productions that filmed in Illinois.

November is the month for giving thanks. Even during the tumult of a year marked by a global pandemic and social unrest, Thanksgiving 2020 will give us the opportunity to take a pause and give thanks. Yes, it is cliché’ but counting your blessings can provide with perspective in these challenging and difficult days.

Wishing everyone peace, good health and good eating this coming week. As always, thanks for your support and continued input. Contact us at illinoisproduction@gmail.com.

On behalf of the entire IPA board, Happy Thanksgiving. Be Safe. Be Healthy.

Illinois COVID-19 News and Resources

As been oft repeated in the last month, the opportunity to keep working rests with the entire community; vendors, crew, performers, producers, caterers, etc. all MUST be personally responsible for their individual actions by adhering to the Tier 3 restrictions when not at work. For every action outside of the work bubble, there is a potential for reaction. Yeah, it sucks not be able to be with your extended family, or travel to enjoy the holidays with folks you only see once a year, BUT without that discipline you are putting everyone at risk.

NEW: Effective Today (Friday), the all eleven regions in the State of Illinois will enter into Tier 3 COVID-19 restrictions. The new restrictions will be in place for at least "one incubation period", or 14 days. The new restrictions further limit indoor capacity across sectors such as retail, personal services and bars and restaurants. "Tier 3 boils down to this: If you don't need to do it, don't." You can find all the details about the restrictions here.

Film Production will not be affected by the new Tier 3 restrictions or Chicago's current Stay-At-Home advisory. All current film production guidelines remain in place for both the State and the City of Chicago. Both the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, in reviewing and assessing film production COVID-19 health and safety guidelines determined that production would fall into the essential manufacturing sector as such film production workers are essential employees. 

These policies will be continually evaluated by local health officials and does not mean that the film community gets a free pass to work regardless of safety. If proper safety guidelines are not being adhered to or if on-set productions become a large infection source, our industry's essential worker status can and will be removed. If you have questions, reach out to the Illinois Film Office at film@illinois.gov.

Importantly, if you are able, and when you are not at work, stay at home, don’t meet up with friends, travel or attend gatherings. This, along with consistent mask wearing is the best way help combat the spread of COVID-19. If you are working outside the home and being tested regularly, please avoid exposure outside of your household and work.

Updated: City of Chicago's Quarantine Travel Order. As of 11/17, the order includes 46 states and 2 territories. An updated map shows the levels of restrictions to take when returning from each state. 

REMINDER: IPA’s Sourcing Guide for COVID-19 Products and Services is continually updated and can assist you in finding resources for PPE, Testing, Sanitization and more.

Finding a testing site close to you throughout the State is quick and easy. If you are in Chicago, check out these completely free, quick and easy testing centers or get tested for free this Saturday in Chinatown.

Local Industry News

Now Available #FilmedInIllinois

Chicago at the Crossroad, a documentary film by Chicago’s Emmy-winning producer Brian Schodorf, is now available to watch on Amazon Prime. The film features "compelling and candid interviews with Chicago gang members, community activists and leaders, and gunshot victims" as it reveals "how the elimination of public housing led to instability on the city’s South and West sides, and explores potential solutions for residents."

The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater, an Illinois-Indiana made indie is also available to watch on Amazon Prime. The film, a fun comedy about Ava Moriarty, an Art History PhD dropout-turned-dominatrix, had a successful festival run, including being named a finalist at the Burbank International film festival.

Festivals: 

The Gene Siskel's 26th Black Harvest Film Festival will run until November 30th. Closing night will feature a tribute to Chadwick Boseman, "a champion and scholar of Black filmmaking and a bittersweet tribute to a giant who left us too soon." Get tickets here.

What's Filming:

The traditional spring pilot season is now a fall event… Here in Illinois we are thankful that the following productions call us home.

Single Drunk Female, a pilot produced by Disney for their Freeform platform is in pre-production at Chicago Studio City. Principal photography will commence in December.

Ordinary Joe, the pilot ordered by NBC, has begun filming in Chicago as of this week. Written by Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner, it stars James Wolk as Joe Kimbrough, and "explores three parallel lives after ordinary Joe makes a pivotal choice at a crossroads in his life, and asks the question of how different life might look if you made your decision based on love, loyalty or passion."

The Big Leap, a Fox pilot, has begun pre-production on the Cinespace lot in Chicago and is scheduled to shoot in December. Written by Heldens, The Big Leap "centers on a group of diverse underdogs from all different walks of life who compete to be part of a competition reality series that is putting on a modern, hip remake of 'Swan Lake.'"

Vaccine and Stimulus Relief News

Some Good News: Two possible vaccines have been identified by Pfizer and Moderna, each with effectiveness rates of at least 90%. Pfizer is expected to apply for FDA emergency use by the end of the week. While the rollout of the vaccine for the general public could take months, Chicago could have some for their healthcare workers by the end of the year.

The first at home rapid test has been approved by FDA. Previously at-home kits have only been able to collect the sample which would still need to be processed in a lab. The COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit, developed by Lucira is able to provide results in about 30 minutes for people 14 years of age and older.

Hopes for a second COVID relief package have risen but the size and the scope of the package remain uncertain. President-Elect Joe Biden and his transition team are pressing for a stimulus as the COVID cases surge causing increased economic hardship. Read more here.

The Illinois Legislature has postponed the veto session that was scheduled for Nov. 17 through 19 and Dec. 1 through 3. The legislature will now reconvene in January. Read more here.

Thanksgiving Plans

The CDC has advised against traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday and suggests planning a celebration for your household only. To emphasize the importance of that advice, Illinois Governor Pritzker has teamed up with fellow Midwest Governors to send a video message across the prairie and great lakes urging everyone to forgo holiday travel, celebrate with immediate family and connect virtually with family and friends outside your households.

You can also host a virtual celebration through the use of Zoom or other video-conferencing platforms like Skype. Although a virtual celebration might not feel quite the same as an in person gathering, it is an opportunity to create new traditions and keep all your loved ones safe. And next year's Thanksgiving celebration will be all the sweeter by staying apart this year!

In Case You're Missing It: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

If you're disappointed that you won't be able to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade this year, don't fret! For the first time in it's history, the parade will be broadcast virtually instead of live. Using a combination of pre-recorded performances and specially rigged vehicles to hold down the famous balloons (instead of the 50-100 people it usually takes), the parade will still be able to bring the holiday joy so many people love.The show will be broadcast on NBC at 9:00 a.m. Central Thanksgiving morning. You can get the line up here. And if you're still nostalgic for the live parade experience, watch last year's parade below!