Covid-19 has caused a disruption of daily life, and that includes Hollywood and the production of films. Commercial airlines for famous actors during these unprecedented times are not an option—so famous directors are now willing to pay extra to utilize private planes.
The Los Angeles Times interviewed one veteran producer that is willing to pay the increasing costs of using private planes. His name is Bill Mechanic.
Under normal circumstances, using private planes would be out of the question on a limited budget. Mechanic says he’s willing to take the risk to fly out his lead actor by private flight and reduce the exposure of COVID-19 by using a private plane as opposed to using a commercial airline where there’s generally more of a risk to spread the virus. However, flying commercial is generally cheaper.
Mechanic will begin filming his latest movie in Australia called later this year called, “The Divide.”
The Oscar-nominated producer told the LA Times, “That becomes, even on a tight budget, something you don’t fight, since if your stars tested positive, then you’d be shut down,” said Mechanic, a former Fox and Disney executive who produced the movies “Hacksaw Ridge” and “Coraline.” “There’s more money lost … not being smart. Penny-wise, pound-foolish sort of thing.”
It’s not just A-list celebrities anymore who are demanding usage of private flights. Some studios and producers are under financial pressure and have no choice but to use private planes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 outbreaks in the wake of new safety measures put in place.
Many producers like Mechanic, are willing to compromise due to the current circumstances of the coronavirus.
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“If a studio is making a star or makeup artist get to a certain place that requires air travel and the person wants to go, the financier-producer will make whatever accommodation they feel is appropriate. Then it becomes a negotiation,” said L.A.-based veteran talent manager Larry Thompson, whose clients include William Shatner. The willingness by studios to make accommodations is a notable change,” he said.
“‘There’s not enough money — you hear that on every movie,” he said. “You’re not hearing it now.”