Is it possible to pay to have covid tests done faster for a movie project?

[ironpony]

There is one thing that is making me think.  It was discussed on here before about how my gf left me and the reason is likely because she didn't like the script.  However, when we were dating, before she told me she didn't like it, I got her opinions on a good deal of parts of the story and took her suggestions on story changes to help improve it.

So I wonder, if she hated the script the whole time, should I get rid of all her changes in the plot then, because they probably weren't as good then, if she didn't think much of the story then to want to improve it?

Edited February 19, 2021 by ironpony

[basil67]

If you don't like the changes, remove them.  If you do like the changes, keep them. 

Edited February 19, 2021 by basil67

[Wiseman2]

Probably best to register for the vaccine if you need that for your work or other endeavors.

[ironpony]

I can register for the vaccine.  However, will the government actually take it seriously if we have been vaccinated?  I mean will we be allowed to have as many people as we need in a location to make the movie, or will we still be treated the same legally, if we get the vaccination?  I cannot find any exceptions to the rules if you are vaccinated, but maybe there are?

[basil67]

@ironpony You're still getting ahead of yourself. Finalise the script and figure out the logistics of how you're going to afford this before worrying about COVID.   

Edited February 21, 2021 by basil67

[ironpony]

Oh well it's just that when trying to figure out the budget, I have to factor covid into it so I thought I should be doing that now, since I am trying to figure out how I can afford it.

[basil67]

Have you finalised the budget in terms of essentials yet?   Start there.  There's no sense worrying about COVID before you know whether or not you have money to cover essentials. 

[ironpony]

I'm trying to get the budget under 20K so just trying to figure out how other filmmakers have done it, but haven't figured it out yet.

[basil67]

Exactly.  Sort out the answer to this, then worry about COVID.   Remember, COVID may not even be an issue when you've got the plan.

[ironpony]

Oh okay, it's just that covid is the biggest tackle in the budget, so I thought I had to take on the biggest tackles first, or so I thought.

[ShyViolet]

If you've waited this long, you can wait a few more months until the vaccine becomes widely available to everyone.  That is only a few months away.  It makes no sense to be trying to make an elaborate plan now for covid testing and such.  

[ironpony]

Oh well, it's just that will the vaccine actually do any good?  A lot of people are very skeptical of the vaccine it seems, so will the government lift the band on those of us who get the vaccine?  If me and a crew and cast of say 20 people, all get vaccinated, will they let us make the movie then and make an exception for us, or will the government not care, and still have restrictions and therefore the vaccine will not do any good?

[ShyViolet]

17 minutes ago, ironpony said:

Oh well, it's just that will the vaccine actually do any good?  A lot of people are very skeptical of the vaccine it seems, so will the government lift the band on those of us who get the vaccine?  If me and a crew and cast of say 20 people, all get vaccinated, will they let us make the movie then and make an exception for us, or will the government not care, and still have restrictions and therefore the vaccine will not do any good?

No one has any answers to that right now.  But in literally like 6 months, most of the population will be vaccinated and we might reach herd immunity which will change everything.  You've waited this long, it makes zero sense to embark on making a film in the middle of a pandemic and have to go through very complicated and costly covid procedures, when everything is going to change in a few more months.

[ironpony]

Well everyone said covid was going to be gone by the end of last year originally and that didn't happen. I'm pretty skeptical that things will actually change, and wonder where all the optomism is coming from that since it seems that covid is here to stay.

[basil67]

1 hour ago, ironpony said:

Well everyone said covid was going to be gone by the end of last year originally and that didn't happen. I'm pretty skeptical that things will actually change, and wonder where all the optomism is coming from that since it seems that covid is here to stay.

I am unaware of any knowledgeable sources who that COVID will be gone by the end of 2020.

Until you can work out how to get the movie made for your $20K budget during regular conditions, then you're not close to getting it the movie made at all.  And in a year or two, COVID will either be under control or we will have accepted living with it.  

And no, when doing the budget you don't tackle the biggest expense first - because all essential items are equally important.   There's no sense budgeting for COVID if you can't afford post film production.   You have to be able to cover the $10K costs and the $500 costs.

What are experienced, successful filmmakers doing at present?  I suggest you follow their lead.

Edited February 23, 2021 by basil67

[ironpony]

Well it's just that one of the actors I had in mind for a role is getting kind of old now, since I kept putting it off to learn more about filmmaking.  I wrote the roll specifically with him in mind, and he already is getting quite old now, and wonder if he will be too old by 2 years.

Plus I am 36 now, and just want to get it done and feel like I am getting old for my first feature film too.  As long as it waiting is still good.

[basil67]

Has this actor shown firm interest in your script and production method?  Can you afford him?  If the answer to either of these things is "no" then he's not part of the equation.  

Stay focused on working out whether or not you can afford even a basic movie.

[ironpony]

Yeah he said he would do it, since he's had fun working on prior projects and I worked on ones of his so far.

[ironpony]

I guess I am also just worried because I keep being told to hold off on the project because of real life events.  When I wanted to make the movie before, people said not to make it because of the Metoo movement saying the movie will not do well, because of that, even though I feel it didn't really have a lot to do with that.

Then the George Floyd murder happened and people said don't make the movie because of this, as people will not want to see it now because of that.  And now covid...

I don't mean to downplay real life tragedies at all, certainly not... I just wonder what else is going to happen that will make things worse, if I wait longer.

Edited February 23, 2021 by ironpony

[ShyViolet]

14 hours ago, ironpony said:

Well everyone said covid was going to be gone by the end of last year originally and that didn't happen. I'm pretty skeptical that things will actually change, and wonder where all the optomism is coming from that since it seems that covid is here to stay.

There are literally articles on reputable news sources like the NY Times explaining that herd immunity is projected to be reached around this Fall.  President Biden said that the vaccine will be available to everyone in the US by July or August of this year.

[ironpony]

Oh okay.  It's just that there is a new strain of covid around now that we need a new vaccine for, so wouldn't that make it take a lot longer, if a new vaccine has to be made now?

[ironpony]

I was also wondering, it was said before that I should move out and get my own place because if I want attract investors than that will help, but will they care how long I have been living in my own place? Or will they not, because all they are seeing is a current address and that's it?

[ironpony]

I haven't been able to work in the field I want to get into, filmmaking because of covid, pretty much killing it unless you are a hugely budgeted movie that can afford tests everyday for everone.

I was thinking of getting the vaccine in order to get back into it. But if I do, would the government actually care and make an exception to the rule, for those of us who are vaccinated? Or will it not make any difference legally at all, and you still be restricted, just like everyone else?

[d0nnivain]

There is no current plan to lift restrictions for vaccinated people  Even with a vaccine there is some chance you can transmit Covid to others.  It's not a get out of lock down / quarantine free card.  

They are saying that vaccinated people can get together in small groups but there is no mass release from restrictions yet.  

[Wiseman2]

Yes, register for the vaccine. You need to get it either way.