FWICE Seeks Permission From Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to Resume Post-production Work for Nearing Completion Projects.
To refrain from any more losses due to COVID-19, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA) on Tuesday wrote a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to seek permission to resume the post-production work of the films, shows and other projects that are nearing permission. In the letter, they said that several producers have invested crore of rupees which are now hanging in the middle due to the corona virus lockdown.
The letter reads, “If permissions are given to carry out such post-production activities of these projects, which can be done in closed studios with a minimum workforce, it would be a great relief to the producers who have poured in huge funds and that they shall be all set to release their projects immediately after the lockdown is lifted. We assure you of complying with all the necessary guidelines pertaining to the health, safety, and security of the workers involved in such post-production activities if permitted to do so. We hope you to be considerate and thoughtful regarding our plea and provide us the necessary permissions to resume the post-production activities for the stuck project of the media and entertainment industry.”
They even added that the permission to continue with post-production activities that are on nearing completion can be a sigh of relief and can even ensure some returns of the funds invested by the producers.
The IMPPA, too, wrote a letter to the Chief Minister requesting to allow the resumption of post-production work. In the letter addressed to Uddhav Thackeray, the IMPPA stated, “Though we fully understand that it might not be possible for you to allow early resumption of film shooting as they involve large number of people, you may kindly please allow our members to go ahead and complete the post production of their films and other entertainment products as in majority of cases, all the shooting and other work has been completed except for the editing, dubbing and post production which are all activities performed indoors in secluded offices with very limited number of personnel like in editing only 2 or 3 persons and in mixing and special effects also only 2/3 persons are required and these activities can safely be carried out maintaining full social distancing after taking all safety and security precautions.”
On March 19, to contain the spread of COVID-19, film bodies in India FWICE and Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA) decided to put all shooting on hold until further notice.On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown and it is currently in its fourth phase.
