Hollywood's Covid-19 Safe Set Advisor

Full disclosure: Dr. Dean Kedes is my brother. But I sat down with him to ask some questions on what he does.

How did you come about the idea of advising Hollywood?

“You are an actress. As you know, I’m out here often…In this overwhelming era of COVID-19, it became clear to me that there is an urgent need to get the TV and Film business back on its feet but that there remains a total lack of unified advice on how to do this safely. After realizing how confused and scared everyone understandably is in the Industry, I began to appreciate that my training in infectious diseases and ongoing research in virology uniquely positioned me to give solid, scientifically-based advice on how to decrease COVID-19 risks on sets. I knew I could be of specific help during this time, going beyond the basic “safe set” criteria. I’m based in Virginia but can fly in as needed. I have a place in Los Feliz.”

How do you see your role in advising sets?

My assessment and advising, in most cases, should take approximately two full days. My approach calls for speaking with producers and helping to plan all the protocols needed before filming takes place. In addition, I feel it’s important to learn about any project-specific requirements during the planning stages in order to be most effective in maximizing set safety. In this way, I can, if needed, offer possible alternatives or adjustments that would make shooting safer. It’s also clear that many producers are going to have their own questions about COVID-19 risks even before they contact me. Therefore, being able to work directly with producers ahead of time is the most efficient use of their time—I can address their concerns and offer solutions so that logistics and layouts of the set and shooting can be done safely from the beginning rather than as an after-thought, saving time and money. I’d rather pre-empt potential issues, thereby lessening risks of viral exposure to the cast and production crews. During this process, I can educate the producers as well so that they feel more comfortable making safe choices on their own as the project proceeds but I’m also available for additional questions by phone should the need arise.

How does it work?

“I review the producers’ safety plan and make suggestions where needed, particularly focusing, in this era, on minimizing the risk of COVID-19. I combine my expertise in virology and infectious diseases with my knowledge of the current pandemic to then translate the science into practical and easy to implement guidelines. This includes making the set and approaches to standard filming practices safer from makeup, props, grips, camera operators, hair, sanitation/toilets, food, etc. One example is that I strongly recommend having a plan for everyone involved in production that essentially involves daily temperature checks, pre-production testing, and then everyone’s being on “home lockdown” when not on set. This last part of the agreement involves the curtailing of activities off set in ways that most people have already practiced during the earlier part of the pandemic, e.g. staying at home except for essential activities, hand washing, social distancing, food delivery at their homes whenever possible, and mask wearing when around others. This might seem challenging but the alternative increases the risk of introducing the virus to the cast and crew, which is unacceptable.”

How do fees work?

“I prefer to work on a flat fee basis for a 2-day consultation. Except for larger productions or ones wanting ongoing visits during production, the 2-day consultation and guidance should be sufficient to establish an environment and guidelines that minimize risk while avoiding delays in production that would be unacceptable to the financial and creative decision makers. Every project that I choose to accept receives my complete attention. In the end, the cost of having one or more persons on a set become ill can bankrupt a production while also giving cold feet to potential backers of future projects. Anyone can contact me for specific fee information.

How do we get in touch?

“Initially, it’s best to email SaferSets@gmail.com Subsequently, telephone or videoconferencing works well.”

Anything you want to add?

“Look, what we have all learned is that the country (let alone the world) really needs content and entertainment to get us through this ongoing pandemic (let alone future pandemics). The work that Hollywood does is clearly critical for the psychological and emotional well-being of Americans under statewide “stay-at-home” orders as well as those tens of millions of citizens awaiting sufficient improvement in the economy that will allow them to return to work.

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Dean Kedes, MD/PhD, Infectious Disease Consultant To Film & TV Industry "How to minimize on-set risks of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases."

Dr. Kedes is working on novel therapies against SARS-CoV-2 the causative virus of COVID-19 and the effects of antibodies. He is a Professor at University of Virginia (UVA) in the Departments of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. He holds an MD & PhD from Yale University and completed his BS & medical residency at Stanford University. He holds an Infectious Diseases Fellowship from UCSF. Dr. Kedes served on review committees for multiple international science journals, and on grant review and/or scientific advisory committees at the National Institute of Health (NIH), The John Hopkins University, UCLA, and Louisiana State University. A Pew Biomedical Scholar, Dr. Kedes is the winner of: the Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Award; the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Physician Scientist Award; and over $4M in research grants. Kedes is and International Scientific Lecturer, having presented at over 30 symposia worldwide. His scientific papers have been in over 40 reviewed publications. Dean Kedes is a Member of: The Infectious Diseases Society of America and The American Society for Microbiology.