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The soaps are providing a bit of escapism during the coronavirus blockade.
Sky News talks to Neighbors executive producer Jason Herbison and star Alan Fletcher, better known as Dr. Karl Kennedy, about how they continue to film.
With the spread of episodes of UK soap operas as filming stops during COVID-19 confinement, who knows when the stars of Corrie will return to the cobblestones, or EastEnders Favorites enjoying a pint (or fighting) at the Queen Vic?
However, filming in Australia’s most famous fictional dead end is resumed, albeit under strict conditions of social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Neighbors cast and crew are practicing social distancing on set
Neighboring stars are back on Ramsay Street, with business almost as usual, thanks to a large production facility in Nunawading, Melbourne, Victoria, allowing actors to have plenty of room to comply with the rule of two. meters.
Soap appears to be leading the way, with several productions from around the world reaching out for details on how it’s working, executive producer Jason Herbison told Sky News.
“I hope we have been able to provide some proactive advice,” he said.
“Our production facility is one of the largest in the world and that puts us in a very fortunate position. We have three large interior studios and two smaller studios, as well as a gigantic backlot, where we have created the world of Erinsborough.”
“We are taking advantage of every inch of the site and reaching out to everyone, creating separate areas that limit each individual’s movements.”
Erinsborough’s safety and social distancing measures include temperature controls, new hygiene protocols, and special officers who run sets to make sure rules are followed.
Executive producer Jason Herbison says the show films through “rain, hail, and snow.”
The cast and crew are dividing into different groups with limited crossover, Herbison said, and in some cases the actors will be scheduled separately but edited together “to give the illusion of larger groups.”
Plus, it’s only essential for the cast and crew, so no visitors are allowed in for their famous neighborhood tours.
“We are guided by our local government in terms of how long we keep these measures in place,” said Herbison.
“The different areas have been affected. Our writing department has had to do a lot of work so that our stories can be filmed to meet social distancing but without looking different.”
“That is a testament to our exceptionally talented team of producers, directors, and camera operators to ensure that we can frame our scenes so that there is minimal impact on screen and, of course, our cast, to work with the new material – all we are passionate and invested in neighbors, nothing will stop us! “
There will be no kisses for Dr. Karl and Susan for a while
A rule of the social distancing filming is “there are no scenes that require intimacy or physical contact”, which you would think could present a problem for a soap, for which the love life (generally disordered) of all the characters is one of the largest draws.
“That is the magic of post production and also how we frame our scenes when they are filmed,” said Herbison. “At the moment there will be many long and loving looks.”
Neighbors filming generally continues through “rain, hail and snow,” he said.
Ramsay Street veteran Alan Fletcher, better known as Dr. Karl Kennedy, told Sky News that he only remembered stopping once during his 26 years playing the beloved character.
“I don’t recall having stopped filming for anything other than the Anne Haddy memorial (which played Helen Daniels).
“She was the undisputed queen of the neighbors and all the cast, crew and production members stopped by to honor her.”
With the coronavirus impacting the entire world like nothing else for decades, will the pandemic be written in stories? Maybe with Dr. Kennedy treating some patients?
Old favorites like Stefan Dennis, aka Paul Robinson, and Ryan Maloney – Jarrod “Toadfish” Rebecchi, below – are still on the show
Both Herbison and Fletcher say this is a difficult thing to decide, as episodes can be shown up to 20 weeks after filming.
Also, there is the question of whether viewers will want to relive it on screen.
“[It’s] “It is very difficult to write coronavirus stories for Neighbors that might be out of date when examined,” said Fletcher. “The wiser heads than mine will decide on this.
“We have debated whether to incorporate the coronavirus into the narrative,” said Herbison. “However, we are currently plotting episodes that will not air until much later in the year, so anything we write now might seem very outdated.”
In addition to this, there is a creative question: will our viewers want to turn Neighbors on and revive him again? Or is it our job to provide escapism?
“I tend to feel it is the latter, however, you may see some lingering clues on the screen; as if the virus has somehow passed through our fictional world and our characters have adopted some of the habits and precautions, such as hygiene. “
Dr. Kennedy “definitely” will not treat patients, Herbison said, but it is “certainly something we would recognize in the dialogue.”
Ramsay Street residents would overcome a pandemic “as they have with other disasters,” he says. “Tornadoes, fires, bomb blasts, they’ve all gone through.”
Both said they were happy to help provide a bit of escapism to fans during difficult times.
“Audiences around the world and especially in the UK love soaps and trust them to relax at the end of a stressful day,” said Fletcher. “I am very pleased that we continue to provide drama to our loyal fans around the world.”
“There is so much coverage around the virus, I think the public craves escapism and this has certainly been reflected in [an] increase in display numbers, “Herbison said.
Fletcher said he has been trapped in the running of the bulls, watching all five Peaky Blinders series, Ozark season three and “great Australian shows like Stateless and Mystery Road … and Tiger King (of course).
“And I’m watching tons of YouTube videos on how to make music and photography.”
As a Liverpool FC fan, the actor was due to be in the UK for the club’s match against Crystal Palace on March 21, which had to be canceled when the blockade started here.
He said 2020 has also been “the most exciting and discouraging year in LFC history that I can remember.”
“I was scheduled to be at Anfield to watch LFC v Crystal Palace. This was most likely the game that sealed the league, it could have been one of the best memories of my life. Unfortunately it won’t be.
“Hopefully the season is complete in late June and that LFC receives its well-deserved crown.”
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Keeping busy, Fletcher has been shooting videos for fans in exchange for donations to raise money to support artists during the pandemic.
Messages can range from happy birthday to lively talk.
“I have connected with fans for the past six years, sending free videos for birthdays and weddings,” he says. “In that time, I submitted over 7,000 videos.
“When the coronavirus came, I saw that the entertainment industry was incredibly successful. Every theater show and every TV and movie production, every music concert had to stop with almost no government support for the artists.”
“So I’ve added in these Cameo videos for fans to raise money to support artists in the COVID-19 era.
“So far we have raised together $ 4,000 (£ 2,098) in three weeks. And judging from the comments, people love my messages of hope in these difficult times.”
Especially for us: now is the time for Scott and Charlene’s return. Pic: Fremantle Media / Shutterstock
Time to introduce our charity song idea: the cast of Neighbors, get Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan back, record a cover of Especially For You. Surely that would raise a good amount of cash.
What does Fletcher think?
“Awesome idea! Come on Jason and Kylie – avoid it!”
Kylie, Jason: If you’re reading this, get in touch.
Watch neighbors on Channel 5 Monday through Friday in the UK
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