Ensured a safe, compliant production environment for GSN’s wordplay game show, Tug of Words.
Tug of Words is a wordplay game show on Game Show Network, hosted by Ahmad Rashad. As COVID-19 Compliance Coordinator, I helped maintain a safe and organized production environment by ensuring all cast and crew adhered to company policies and evolving health guidelines, with clear signage, designated areas, and structured safety protocols in place. I managed weekly testing schedules for cast and crew, tracked compliance, and responded quickly to positive cases by implementing production safety procedures, while maintaining PPE inventory and consistently upholding CDC guidelines throughout production. I also communicated protocol updates across the company and managed the organization and filing of all required documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Behind the Scenes
Where were you?
Los Angeles, California
What’s the moment things went sideways?
This show had us starting antigen testing the morning of for our contestants, which meant the whole team was racing against the clock before call time to get everyone tested, signed off, and cleared to come to set. On top of that, keeping enough PPE on hand for cast, crew, and contestants was a constant balancing act. Between the tight testing window and staying stocked and compliant, it kept us on our toes every single shoot day.
A crew or cast story that still gets told
Every morning we did antigen testing outside with the contestants. It was cold, so we bundled up in layers and wore gloves underneath our latex gloves to stay warm, with hot coffee to help wake us up too. Before the contestants arrived and while we were setting up, we would play music to help get our day started on the right foot, with someone different on the team taking DJ duty each day, so it was always whatever they were in the mood for. Those mornings ended up becoming a real bonding moment for the team, and they always put us in a good mood to start the day off right.
What would a viewer never guess?
One thing viewers would never guess is how much planning goes into each episode’s theme, whether it’s obvious or subtle. That theme is really what keeps the shoot days and the contestant lineup organized behind the scenes, more than people realize.
What were you actually running day to day?
I was responsible for making sure the set stayed compliant with COVID-19 regulations, CDC guidelines, and the union rules that had been set up for crew members. That meant staying on top of every changing requirement and making sure the whole production, cast, crew, and set alike, was following it.
What are you proudest of on this one?
I’m proudest of how closely we followed CDC and union guidelines to keep cast, crew, and contestants safe from start to finish. It took constant attention, but knowing everyone made it through filming safely because of that consistency is something I take real pride in.