U.S. Film & TV Production COVID-19 Guidelines - A Breakdown By State & Territory All In One Place.

Unlike Australia and New Zealand, the U.S. hasn’t issued any sort of federal policy or set of film production regulations in the wake of COVID-19; this has mostly been left up to each state to figure out.

Some film offices have issued their own guidelines, others haven’t. Some states are open for business, others aren’t. Some will open soon, and others, who the hell knows. We recommend contacting the local film office where the shoot is expected to take place - they are responsible for issuing the film permits and should be able to provide advice on whether filming is permitted (or when it may be permitted) in the area. Please note, that some states like Iowa don’t actually require film permits, although the production will still need to abide by local and state laws.

It’s all a bit confusing, so here’s a convenient and super quick breakdown of available guidelines issued by each U.S. state and territory’s film authority.

Please note, that some guidelines are mandatory while others are merely recommendations. In any event, each production will need to ensure its workplace health & safety policies and the scale of operations are in accordance with local, state and federal laws and regulations. It’s always best to consult with your production attorney to ensure your production is compliant.

Importantly, the Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee Task Force (“the Task Force”) published a White Paper entitled Proposed Health and Safety Guidelines for Motion Picture, Television, and Streaming Productions During the COVID-19 Pandemic (“White Paper”). While these guidelines haven’t been legislated for at a federal, or any state level, the Task Force consists of IATSE, Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA, the DGA as well as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, amongst others. In addition to this, SAG-AFTRA, the DGA, IATSE and Teamsters released a report entitled The Safe Way Forward which sets out specific safety protocols that was left out in the White Paper.

On August 28, 2020, The Producers Guild of America released their COVID Safety Protocols for Producing Independent Productions (“PGA Protocols”) as a companion piece to the White Paper and The Safe Way Forward report.

On September 21, 2020, the Return to Work Agreement was entered into between a really long list of parties but basically it consists of the studios, producers’ reps and all the applicable guilds and unions in the U.S. The agreement can be found here and was set to expire on April 30, 2021. It was subsequently extended and on July 19, 2021 the guilds and unions announced a tentative agreement on adjustments to the COVID-19 Safety Agreement reflecting vaccines and other scientific advances. The changes to the agreement can be found here and are set to expire September 30, 2021.

What all of this means is:

1. You’ll have to abide by state and federal workplace health & safety laws and any requirements by local film authorities (see below tables); and

2. If your production falls within the realm of any of the above mentioned unions or guilds, in order to get their formal sign off ahead of cameras rolling, the White Paper, The Safe Way Forward report, the Return to Work Agreement and the PGA Protocols are a good place to start in making sure your production is union and guild compliant.

Check back in as we’ll be updating regularly.

Current as at September 7, 2021.

State/Territory	Available Film Industry Specific Guidelines
Alabama	None issued.
Alaska	None issued.
Arizona	None issued.
Arkansas	None issued.
California	None issued by the State of California. The Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee Task Force ("Task Force") published a White Paper of Proposed Health and Safety Guidelines for Motion Picture, Television, and Streaming Productions During the COVID-19 Pandemic, which was submitted to the Californian Govenor for sign off. Film LA have a really useful Filming Status List which is a running list of local areas open for filming.
Colorado	None issued.
Conneticut	None issued.
Delaware	None issued.
Florida	Film Florida's Recommendations for Clean & Healthy Production Sets are here.
Georgia	Georgia Film's Film & Television Production Best Practices To Reduce Contagion of COVID-19 are here.
Hawaii	None issued at a state level. The Honolulu Film Office issued Guidelines for the Film Industry in Honolulu 2020 and the Modified Quarantine Procedures.
Idaho	None issued.
Illinois	Restore Illinois Film Production Guidelines apply state-wide. The Chicago Film Office also released the City of Chicago's Be Safe Film and Television Production Guidelines.
Indiana	None issued. Film production companies will be required to implement General Guidelines For All Business.
Iowa	The State Office for Media Production issued guidelines that can be found here.
Kansas	None issued.
Kentucky	None issued.
Louisiana	None issued. Film Batone Rouge issued Recommendations and Requirements for Clean & Healthy Production Sets. Note: Louisiana is expected to open back up for production in July.
Maine	None issued.
Maryland	None issued. The Maryland Film Office has recommended The White Paper and The Safe Way Forward report linked above.
Massachusetts	None issued.
Michigan	None issued.
Minnesota	None issued.
Mississippi	None issued.
Missouri	Kansas City Film Office issued a 54-page document entitled A Safe Return to Production: Recommended Guidelines and Best Practices for the KC Film Industry During COVID-19. You can find them here.
Montana	Montana Film Office have published advice for film crews during the re-opening phase. All COVID-19 resources from the Montana Film Office are here.
Nebraska	Nebrasks Film Office issued the Suggested Guidelines for Filming in Nebraska.
Nevada	Nevada Film Office issued Production Safety Guidelines. Note: The following jurisdictions will be issuing permits for cast/crew of 50 people or less and in accordance with the Governor’s Phase 2 General Guidance - Boulder City, City of Henderson City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, City of Reno, Clark County. .
New Hampshire	None issued.
New Jersey	None issued.
New Mexico	None issued.
New York	Applications for film permits for production activity after June 30, 2020 are now being accepted. New York State issued a checklist of mandatory and recommended best practices of media production guidelines, the Interim Guidance For Media Production and a Safety Plan Template (although this doesn't need to be submitted for state approval).
North Carolina	None issued.
North Dakota	None issued.
Ohio	None issued.
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Film & Music has released Considerations for Oklahoma Filmmaking during COVID-19 found here.
Oregon	Oregon Media Production Association has published a set of Production Protocols that has been developed in conjunction with the local production community that can be used by each project for guidance on developing a written health and safety policy that all project specific cast, crew and production companies should agree to prior to commencement of production.
Pennsylvania	None issued.
Puerta Rico	None issued.
Rhode Island	None issued.
South Carolina	The Film Office relies on the White Paper issued by the Task Force. No South Carolina specific guidelines issued.
South Dakota	None issued.
Tennessee	None issued.
U.S. Virgin Islands	None issued.
Utah	Utah Film Commission issued Recommendations for Healthy & Safe Production Sets. All COVID-19 resources made available by the Utah Film Commission are here.
Vermont	None issued.
Virginia	Virginia is currently open to all safe, responsible productions, following the suggested best health and safety practices set forth here. All COVID-19 resources made available by the Virginia Film Office are here.
Washington	None issued.
West Virginia	None issued.
Wisconsin	None issued.
Wyoming	None issued.