Oversaw COVID safety operations for ABC’s celebrity revival of The Dating Game, hosted by Zooey Deschanel and Michael Bolton.
The Celebrity Dating Game is ABC’s celebrity revival of the classic Dating Game format, hosted by Zooey Deschanel and Michael Bolton. As COVID-19 Compliance Production Manager, I oversaw COVID safety operations, coordinating testing, scheduling, and safety protocols to maintain a secure production environment.
Behind the Scenes
Where were you?
Los Angeles, California
What’s the moment things went sideways?
I was working in the COVID-19 department and making sure the entire cast and crew were getting tested on schedule. It was also important to make sure that all test results were in before they came to set. It was also up to our department to make sure that the stage was set up per CDC standards to make sure everyone felt safe on set. So if things went sideways it was because a test came back positive and we had to make sure that the crew member was aware and then backtrack who they were in contact with and make sure no one else was testing positive. We were always able to stay on top of it and keep the cast, crew, and set safe.
A crew or cast story that still gets told
Working on a show at the height of the pandemic is a bonding moment with those who were on set. Day to day was tense, and we never knew what could happen the next day. But being able to work together and put something great on television made it a great experience. In a sense even though we were at work and had tasks to do, it was a bit of an escape for us as we worked to put something entertaining for us and our audience.
What would a viewer never guess?
With a crew of a hundred plus, all needing to stay six feet apart, that took up a lot of space. Even though we were on one of the biggest television lots in Los Angeles, we still needed a lot more space for everyone to work safely.
What were you actually running day to day?
I reported to the COVID-19 Supervisor, who had to oversee a lot throughout the day, whether that was making sure the stage was in compliance or that crew and talent were getting tested. He was in charge of keeping everyone safe and making sure we were following all union and CDC guidelines. It was up to me to filter things through him so I could keep it concise and smooth while still giving him all the information he needed. Each day started with a meeting to go over testing, stage safety, and, at the time, travel timelines for anyone flying in to set.
What are you proudest of on this one?
I learned a lot about myself, learning a new part of production that was brand new to my industry. Diving in and learning about the CDC requirements and reading and learning about the requirements that the unions have come up with together was not what you would call a fun weekend. But I did learn a lot about how to lead a crew during a time when panic and fear were on everyone’s mind and COVID rules, regulations, and updates from the CDC were changing so quickly. Being a point person who could help ease their concerns while keeping the day to day schedule on track was a crucial skill to learn.