LAST UPDATE: MARCH 21st, 2022
Please check back – Updates posted as new information is received.

The Pittsburgh Film Office believes the highest priority to maintain our state’s film industry amid the COVID-19 Pandemic is the safety of the Pittsburgh region’s filmmakers, crew members, talent, vendors, location owners, and communities. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s three-phased approach to safely reopen the economy, we will be following the PA Health Department, the CDC, and the film industry union guidelines. In addition, the Pittsburgh Film Office is releasing additional related resources for filmmakers, to allow for a safe return to work with our local crew.

As of Friday, June 5, 2020, Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Greene County, Lawrence County, Somerset County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County will open in the Green/Phase Three of a three-phased approach to re-open the Pennsylvania economy.

The Pennsylvania Plan for Reopening:

This statewide plan is:

  1. Based on scientific modeling from public health experts and Carnegie Mellon University.
  2. Intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
  3. Intended to protect Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens from the threat of COVID-19.
  4. Intended for businesses and individuals to utilize in conjunction with guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR FILM PRODUCTION

Guilds, Unions, Companies, and Studios will have safety procedures created with the working environment and scope of a film, television, or commercial production in mind, and may be more restrictive than the state-wide plan. As film productions make decisions about operations while the pandemic persists, they may consider incorporating suggestions from multiple sources. The following documents included below are examples of what the Pittsburgh Film Office believes to be strong direction in maintaining a safe working environment in the film industry. We aim to share the most comprehensive guidelines available to bring back a thriving and healthy film industry in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Guidelines by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers: Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee Task Force

Guidelines by Camelot Communications: suggested for commercial filming

Guidelines by SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and TEAMSTERS

The following information has been provided to the Pittsburgh Film Office:

Filming would fall under NAICS 512110 – motion picture and video production which is defined as: industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing, or producing and distributing motion pictures, videos, television programs, or television commercials.

On the Governor’s Life Sustaining Business list, they would fall under NAICS 512110: DCED List of Life-Sustaining Businesses

  • RED/Phase One: No filming
  • YELLOW/Phase Two: Some filming allowed if attached guidelines are followed
  • GREEN/Phase Three: filming allowed while following the PA Health Department, CDC, and film industry guidelines

FILMS & EVENTS PERMITTING

For the latest information on film permitting in the Southwestern PA region, and guidance on permitting, please contact the PITTSBURGH FILM OFFICE by email at [email protected] or telephone, 412-261-2744. You many also visit our permits page on the Pittsburgh Film Office website.

The following counties are in the GREEN/Phase Three:

Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Greene County, Lawrence County, Somerset County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON COVID-19 IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE PITTSBURGH REGION

Updates on COVID-19 from the Mayor of Pittsburgh

Further information on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 cases can be found on:

Pennsylvania Health Department

Allegheny County Health Department

CDC on COVID-19 Prevention

LOCAL RESOURCES FOR COVID-19 TESTING

UPMC Testing
COVID-19 Test Site Finder

KAMEO:

Alexandra Ostebo, (703) 268-3315
[email protected]
https://www.kameo.co/
Info

Physician Core Care:

Dan Henderson, cell (412) 417-5316
Sam Shannon, cell (412) 485-0141
[email protected]
https://physiciancorecare.com/
Info

MHS Labs:

Gina Pferdehirt, 412-930-4135
[email protected]
https://mhslabs.net/

Connected Health:

Betty Rich, 724-933-4305
[email protected]
https://www.connectedhealthpgh.com/
Info

R J Lee Group:

Carl W Pro, PMP RMP
Director, Strategic Business Development and Project Management
724.325.1776 Office
724.387.1965 Direct
412.452.1429 Mobile
[email protected]

 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS + SELF-QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS

COVID-19 Information for Travelers from the PA Department of Health

For the latest information on travel guidelines from the CDC

SOCIAL DISTANCING + PERSONAL PRACTICES

Pittsburgh Film Office strongly encourages each production to continually check the CDC’s recommendations for personal practices and social distancing.

As a note, groups of people who share a space within a building in the ordinary course of operations, such as in an office building, classroom, production floor or similar regularly occurring operation of a business or organization, are not “events or gatherings.”

We understand how difficult these uncertain times have been for you are your families and how eager you are to return to work. We are here to support you and are looking forward to film production resuming in our region!

We hope all filmmakers will follow the health guidelines we have shared to keep our local film industry healthy and working. Our office will continue sharing health information and filming guidelines as they become available on our website. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Pittsburgh Film Office by email, [email protected] or by telephone, 412-261-2744.

 

Additional Links:

Plan For Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania COVID-19 Safety Guidance for Businesses