It is no secret that the pandemic has significant implications on the economy worldwide. One of the industries severely hit by the COVID-19 virus is the entertainment industry that produces content for television and movies.
As evidence of the costly impact of the pandemic on producing movie content, Director Eric Matti shared via facebook a budget spreadsheet for COVID protection supplies amounting to over a million pesos for a day [of a 10-day] locked-in filming.
The spreadsheet showed around Php 21,000 allotted budget for personal protective equipment such as face masks, face shields, alcohol, and disinfectants.
The spreadsheet also showed Php 300 000 allotted for safety personnel including, safety officers, disinfection staff, and standby medics.
And probably the most significant chunk of the one million budget is for the COVID-19 testing of staff, amounting to over Php 800,000.
All in all, the cost of COVID-19 supplies tallied to Php 1,175,200.00.
Matti also wrote his sentiments, noting that the inevitable death of the movie industry because of the pandemic. He also urged others to understand that movie-making is the livelihood of some Filipinos.
This is what producers spend for a 10-day shoot just on health and safety protocols. These tests are on top of what we…
Posted by Erik Matti on Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Earlier, First Yaya Director LA Madridejos shared similar sentiments with Matti regarding the costly amount needed for production.
“The fact lang na iha-house mo yung hundred people for this period of time ng ilang beses na locked-in, tapos bago mo sila i-house kailangan mo pa sila ipa-swab. Dun pa lang, wala lahat yun pre-pandemic, so tingin ko mas magastos po sya.”
