Film and TV production restart scheme

A. The data we are publishing about the scheme on a monthly basis includes information about the productions using the scheme and headline figures aggregated from application forms including the total production spend and direct positions supported by the scheme. It indicates the number of claims received and paid, and provides a regional and national breakdown of claims and filming locations.

A. 'Positions supported' and 'locations supported' are taken from information productions are required to provide when applying to the scheme. 'Positions supported' is the total number of cast/on screen talent and crew/off screen production crew working on the production. 'Locations supported' is the total number of locations included on all the application forms we have received. Many productions will film in multiple locations and some locations may be used by multiple productions.

This is asking for a letter from your broadcaster / finance stating that the production wasn't allowed to restart as a result of a lack of COVID-19 coverage, or that they were happy for you to continue filming on the anticipation that you will be accepted onto the scheme.

The applicable deductions are classed as the following. Further information on the applicable deductions can be found using the following link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/film-tv-production-restart-scheme/film-tv-production-restart-scheme-draft-rules#annex-1---definitions-and-interpretation if you wish to discuss these further, please call 0333 015 1253 and press option 1.

No - If the broadcaster/financer provider has allowed for filming to continue without requiring the production to be part of the scheme, the production is not eligible to apply. If you are unsure about this, please get in contact so we can discuss this further

No. In the case of an abandonment, eligible losses are defined as the costs already incurred, in relation to production scheduled for before the Closure Date, that are rendered entirely valueless as result of either a relevant Covid-related death or illness, or a UK Civil Authority restriction. In any case, such an event must occur before the Closure Date, and as a result any abandonment after the Closure Date is not eligible.

Since 1 April 2022, guidance in England advises that people with a positive Covid-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day they took the test and talk to their employer if they are unable to work from home. Any losses a production company incurs from Covid-19 relating to the above scenario is likely to be an eligible loss under the Scheme Rules under Civil Authority Limb (B), subject to the usual mitigation and eligibility requirements, as set out in the Scheme Rules. Any incurred losses in cases where the asymptomatic case is not identified by a test are not likely to be eligible.

Between 24 February and 1 April 2022, guidance in England advised people with Covid-19 to stay at home and avoid contact with others. Those unable to work from home were advised to talk to their employer. Since 1 April 2022, guidance in England advises people with Covid-19 or respiratory infection symptoms to try to stay at home, avoid contact with other people and work from home if they can until they no longer have a high temperature (if they had one) or until they no longer feel unwell. People unable to work from home are advised to talk to their employer. People with a positive Covid-19 test result are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day they took the test, and try to stay home after the end of this period if they continue to have a high temperature or feel unwell, until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and no longer have a high temperature, if they had one. They are advised to talk to their employer if they are unable to work from home. Cast losses resulting from cast and crew members being unable to work due to an illness resulting from Covid-19 will continue to be recoverable, subject to the usual mitigation and eligibility requirements, as set out in the Scheme Rules.

It is a government requirement of all schemes established during the Covid-19 pandemic that Post-Event Assurance (PEA) is undertaken. DCMS has appointed BDO Ltd to conduct PEA, who will test 20% of all claims paid to seek to identify any indications of fraud and/or error within the Scheme. BDO will notify you and provide details of the information required. Under Rule 24.3, failure to cooperate with a request for information may result in access to the Scheme being withdrawn and, in some cases, require the return of any monies paid to the production.

Yes, if the production is postponed until after the Closure Date as a direct result of a delay or interruption that occurs before the Closure Date, the Restart scheme may provide compensation for the Eligible Losses. However, the Restart scheme will not provide any compensation for any loss incurred after the Request Cut-Off Date.

No - Once you have completed the application process, paid the scheme fee and received your certificate of acceptance onto the scheme, you can then submit a claim.

No. The scheme rules detail the eligible triggers for claims and further advice is set out in the scheme FAQs. Marsh welcomes calls seeking clarification on the application and claims process. However, the team provides a handling rather than an advisory service and are unable to agree protocols in advance of a claim.

Yes.

Yes - As long as the broadcaster has authorised you to continue production in line with being accepted onto the restart scheme.

You can name 2 key cast members or the director who are over the age of 70 to be covered under the scheme effective from the 20/12/2020. This will increase your entry fee to 1.25% and also your excess on the over 70s to 15%. For applications made after 23:59 on 31 October 2021 the premium will increase from 1.25% to 2.75% for over 70s' cover.

Yes - A trust letter of finance agreement would be great. If you are unable to provide any of these, please contact us so we can discuss further.

Yes. You can apply to the scheme as long as you have not completed more than 5 days of principal photography or 20% of the total number of scheduled filming days (whichever is lower).

No. We are not able to offer an application fee calculated on a pro-rata basis as this creates a number of legal and administrative challenges including how the eligible budget and losses are confirmed and calculated. In addition, allowing pro-rata application fees would likely discourage the speed at which market solutions engage as the scheme concludes.

No financial information specifically relating to individual productions will be shared. Regional data and production budgets supported are published in aggregate. Production companies can also opt-out of sharing their production title, if there is a specific reason to do so. This can be indicated on the application form, which was updated April 2021. If you applied to the scheme before this date, we will contact you before the data is published.

23:59 30th April 2022. You must have completed at least 5 days or 20% of the filming scheduled by this date.

They must go and have a MHRA approved test (or equivalent if outside ok the UK) as soon as possible. If the test comes back negative, they must make every effort to resume their role as soon as practically possible whilst following the government guidelines on self isolation. A successful payment for compensation is dependent on these steps being taken.

The scheme is designed to cover you for cast losses and civil authority losses that are incurred after the 28th July 2020. If you have had to delay or postpone your production, the maximum amount you can submit a request for compensation is 20% of your production budget. In the case of abandonment, the maximum you can claim is 70% of your production budget. The maximum value of compensation available is £5million.

There are the losses a producer incurs when a production has to be interrupted, postponed or abandoned, as a result of:
(I) one or more members of the cast or crew (whose roles are necessary elements in the production) contracting COVID-19 and having to stop working (either through death or illness); or
(ii) one or more Named Persons needing to take time off work because of the death or critical illness of a member of their immediate family due to COVID-19.

Yes.

Please send an email or letter confirming that you are not part of either of these structures or anything similar relating to the restart schemes coverage

No - This is not covered as part of the scheme.

To help ensure your claim is settled more quickly, you can prepare the following documentation likely to be requested as part of the process: Positive PCR test results, your production’s Covid-19 protocols, your locked budget (including Covid-19 costs), cost reports, and pre- and post-loss shoot schedules. A full list of the likely required evidence is in the Claims Submission Guidance checklist.

Yes - This is the greater of $1,000 or 10% of your loss.

No - Please only register your remaining budget from the 28th July onwards. Your fee will be 1% of your budget post 28th July?

Yes. Pregnancy is not excluded under the scheme. We advise productions to follow the BFC and PACT guidance on protecting people who are at higher risk while filming.