How global pandemic COVID-19 changed the TV industry

As many industries are trying to put the pieces back together after being ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, the TV industry is being forced to reinvent itself to survive. With filming on location largely being a thing of the past these days, many TV shows have been canceled entirely or have been put on hold indefinitely. 

I think we all miss 2019 and would do anything to get it back, even if we did think it was one of the worst years ever (personally speaking . . . ). I know I take it all back, every nasty thing I said about 2019, I didn’t mean it. I know there is a bigger picture here and I should be grateful for my health, and I am – don’t get me wrong, but I really miss TV. 

I have so many shows on my watch list that are hanging in limbo, not knowing if they will be next on the chopping block of the execs. I decided to dig a little deeper on this one and the results are scary but there is a silver lining.

There are so many people from this industry who are now out of work. From actors to production assistants, to make-up artists to cleaners – everyone has been negatively affected by the global industry shutdown. Whilst the well-known stars can probably weather the storm and be fine, spare a thought for the others who have been forced into looking for work elsewhere. 

As much as I have enjoyed the trip down memory lane, binge-watching some of the classics, I am sure I am not the only one looking forward to new episodes of my favorite new shows. Instead, Netflix has been offering us shows about girls who take Paris far too seriously. Also, no one has that many hats – that is an unnatural number of hats to own.

Fortunately, there is light at the end of this very dark tunnel. For many places, filming has been able to resume under strict COVID-19 protocols. For some people, the lockdown has been a shove in the creative direction – affording them the time and opportunity to explore their video ideas and create the perfect message they want to put out to the world with the help of a Miami video production company.

The TV shows that have managed to resume production, like the Australian version of the long-running fan favorite, Neighbours, have largely done so with social distancing measures in place which require filming from special angles to make the cast appear closer together. 

There are strict restrictions on the number of people allowed in a filming area at any given time, there are no intimate scenes (sigh . . .) and there is a nurse on standby to check any member of the cast who may be feeling poorly, if this does happen the entire block is shut down and everyone goes home. This is the new normal.

The colossal impact this worldwide shutdown has had on the industry will be felt for years to come as this industry once filled with giants, has been brought to its knees.