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

[ironpony]

But if the government doesn't allow people who have been vaccinated to have certain jobs as a result, then no one is going to take the vaccine seriously either. Everyone I know says they are reluctant to take it not knowing what it is, or if it will actually help.

So how is the government suppose to expect people to get it, if it the people do not get anything out of it from the government really?

[Minneloa]

I can’t speak for Canada, but here in the U.S. the demand is through the roof. People want to get vaccinated to protect themselves from serious illness and death, period.

[Lotsgoingon]

I don't think the government has anything to do with this. There is filming going on right now.  TV shows are very much shooting these days, as are films.  They've made adjustments to sets, but they are indeed shooting.

The government (local governments, state governments) are banning activities like theater and crowds, full-capacity restaurants and bars.  Most movies can be shot with people keeping distance from each other ... and if they're within six feet, they do so only for a short period of time. And yes, they have lots of testing. And I think they're under orders to stop if someone gets the virus. 

What made you think there is government regulation holding you back when there is filmmaking going on?

 

[ironpony]

Well there are laws that say you have to wear masks in public facilities, and I cannot figure out how to do get around this law, since I need the actors to not wear them.  Other productions have found some sort of loophole, but I cannot find it.

[Happy Lemming]

Move your movie production to Texas...

"COVID Cases in Texas Decline as Restrictions are Lifted"

"...Governor Greg Abbott made the controversial decision to lift its mask mandate and fully reopen businesses last week."

Source: https://news.yahoo.com/covid-cases-texas-decline-restrictions-162142850.html

[ironpony]

Oh okay, thanks.  Well the US dollar is worth more than the Canadian one so if I move to the US, I will have to spend more on it, compared to some other countries, but maybe that will make it worth it.

[Happy Lemming]

The exchange rate is $1.24 (Canadian)  to $1.00 (US).  You stated you had all of this money to make the movie, you were going to hire people and that Covid-19 restrictions were holding you back.

Well there are no Covid-19 restrictions in Texas... I'm sure there are plenty of Texas towns that would welcome you with open arms.

Time to pack up your car, head across that cold Canadian border... mosey on down to Texas and start scoping out locations for your movie. 

No more excuses... time to make your dream a reality... (in Texas).

I'd look into Terlingua, Texas... there was a strange murder there and a TV show was made about it.  I think that would be the perfect back drop for your movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hLpOPjsAkA

[ironpony]

Oh okay, well the script I have calls for a bigger city setting so I would probably go for something with a larger population in Texas, if Texas is the place to go.  But thanks.

[Happy Lemming]

9 minutes ago, ironpony said:

Oh okay, well the script I have calls for a bigger city setting so I would probably go for something with a larger population in Texas, if Texas is the place to go.  But thanks.

One thing Texans know how to do is BIG!!  If you want a bigger city, Texas has them!

I'm just saying that you were all "Gung Ho" about making this movie... asking if you could pay extra money for Covid-19 tests and about the actors having to wear masks, etc.  Well, that is not a problem in Texas.

You stated you were going to hire a line production manager, etc.  There are a lot of people still looking for work and now would be the time to get a discounted labor rate. 

"Strike while the iron is hot" - Sir Walter Scott

[ironpony]

Oh okay thanks.  I don't know anyone in Texas, compared to where I live, so I would have to hire all new people compared to the filmmaking community hear and get all new locations, but perhaps that's a good thing, and can try that.

[ironpony]

Okay I thought might have to give them an accent trainer or something like some actors have though.

[Happy Lemming]

Most actors already have a handful of accents at their disposal (depending on what parts).

Are you looking for a Canadian accent, New York accent, Texas draw, Pennsylvania-Dutch accent, just tell them what you are after when they audition.

I dated this one very professional business woman and when she would get mad at me, her Mexican accent would come out (along with some spanglish).. otherwise she spoke perfectly without any accent.

[ironpony]

What accent did they have in the movie Seven?  I am looking for that type of accent, which sounds close to Canadian to me as well.

[Happy Lemming]

11 minutes ago, ironpony said:

What accent did they have in the movie Seven? 

I just watched the trailer, it appears the actors have a "New York" accent...  If that is what you are after, it is easy to replicate/mimic.

[ironpony]

Oh really?  They didn't sound like New York to me, at least the two leads Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman didn't. But I am no expert.

[ironpony]

Covid is terrible right now, and I want to take the most precautions I can when I say this... Since I am into filmmaking and wanted to break into the industry more, instead of hiring a covid testing specialist, who can only be devoted to testing everyone in a production and would not work elsewhere, I was thinking I could maybe become a certified covid tester myself to save money. Then I just do all the tests myself, instead of having to worry about external resources to do it, that would have more on their plate, and not be able to do it not as quickly for everyone in the production.

I am wondering if therefore, I could just become a certified tester myself, and get a certificate in it, so it's all legal when I test, or is that not an option, if anyone knows? I cannot find much on it. Thank you for any advice on it!

[elaine567]

In the Uk, free lateral flow tests are being handed out so everyone can test themselves. The lateral flow tests are not highly accurate, they give false positives and miss people who actually have the virus, but if the lateral flow is a positive, or there is a need for more accuracy then the more accurate PCR test is performed.

[ironpony]

6 hours ago, elaine567 said:

In the Uk, free lateral flow tests are being handed out so everyone can test themselves. The lateral flow tests are not highly accurate, they give false positives and miss people who actually have the virus, but if the lateral flow is a positive, or there is a need for more accuracy then the more accurate PCR test is performed.

Oh okay, but is there a way I can do the PCR tests myself, in order to save money, or become certified in being able to do the PCR tests myself?

[Wiseman2]

2 hours ago, ironpony said:

Oh okay, but is there a way I can do the PCR tests myself, in order to save money, or become certified in being able to do the PCR tests myself?

Why not go straight to registering for/getting the vaccine? Talk to your doctors/parents.

[ShyViolet]

3 hours ago, ironpony said:

Oh okay, but is there a way I can do the PCR tests myself, in order to save money, or become certified in being able to do the PCR tests myself?

I'm not understanding all this.  Now that the vaccine is available, there isn't so much emphasis on testing.  Everyone should get fully vaccinated.  And then there's not as much need for constant testing.

[ironpony]

Oh I just thought that for movie productions, the government still wanted peopel to get tested everyday, even if they have been vaccinated still.  Or that's what I thought I was told, but I can double check that.

[mrs rubble]

On 5/4/2021 at 2:59 AM, ironpony said:

Oh okay, but is there a way I can do the PCR tests myself, in order to save money, or become certified in being able to do the PCR tests myself?

The easiest to use PCR test is very expensive to run and requires an analyser that would eat your entire budget up! Yes you can train as a medical laboratory scientist which gives you the certification required to perform these tests, in most countries it's a 4 year degree though. 

There's a lot of filming happening in New Zealand at present, the American actors had to be in managed isolation for 14 days before production with covid testing done on day 0, day 4 and day 12 or if symptomatic, after that they were cleared and allowed on set......however we have no community cases here at all.