This past year and a half, besides juggling large film crews and logistical concerns, film units across the country have had to incorporate COVID-19 safety measures to ensure the wellbeing of the cast and crew. One of the new roles that were created on the film set was that of the COVID-19 safety officer or supervisor.
Aditya Gupta, who founded India's first film set safety company, Life First, said, “The intention behind starting Life First was to ensure that people can feel safe and protected as they work. Apart from state-of-the-art sanitation equipment, pandemic adaptive technology and bio bubbles, we offer our clients this reassuring core message, ‘We put your life first’.”
Gupta has been busy working on Ram Madhvani’s next film Dhamaka (2021), starring Kartik Aaryan, and Shakun Batra’s untitled film with Dharma Productions, starring Deepika Padukone. His company has already worked on the Netflix productions, Ajeeb Daastaans, Ray and the upcoming season of Jamtara.
Apart from working for companies such as Red Chillies Entertainment, Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment, Amazon Prime Video and Abundantia Entertainment, Life First has also overseen the safety protocol on the sets of 700 ad film shoots.
Gupta, who has worked as a director and chief assistant director on films such as OK Jaanu (2017) and Andhadhun (2018), said, “We now customise sanitation and safety solutions not just for film sets but also for various other industries and facilities — award functions, events, concerts, homes, schools, theatres and offices as well.”
With his vast experience on the film set, Gupta was aware of the kinds of challenges film crews face, and how each one can differ from set to set. He would begin by meeting the direction and production teams and figuring out how the film schedules were to take place.
According to Gupta, once the script requirements and shooting logistics are in place, the protocol is designed keeping in mind the locations, the number of people required on set, and potential risks. His team also mapped out restricted access to certain areas, crowd management and clear colour coding to increase the safety quotient.
Life First also utilizes a new technology that harnesses short-wavelength ultraviolet light (UV-C) to =sterilize sets, vanities, toilets and even smaller touchable items like mics, files, gadgets, craft-table goodies, brushes, combs and styling tools.
Gupta explained, “The germicidal UV-C is channelled through 10x20 feet hubs, portable robots and 90-litre boxes to destroy up to 99.9% microorganisms, viruses, fungus, mould, bacteria and pathogens in just 60 seconds.”
The company also wants to patent a large sanitizing chamber, similar to UV-C boxes used by doctors to disinfect their surgical tools after any medical procedures. The UV light disinfects surfaces, as well as air and water, effectively and comprehensively, without leaving behind any aroma or residue.
He added, "We also use FDA-approved, non-toxic herbal and Ayurvedic disinfectants and all our procedures are in compliance with directives issued by producer's guilds.”
Life First also offers clients assistance with vaccinations, COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) kit management and is developing an air purification prototype to detoxify over 3,000 to 5,000 square metres in less than two hours.
Gupta said of the future, “Life First began with two people and a passion to create solutions the industry could rely on in a challenging time. Along the way, it has grown into a team of 170 professionals who can handle 25 to 30 projects at the same time. We are now on the verge of working on our first international project. In the near future, we also want to address fire and environment safety concerns of production crews and that is the next frontier we hope to conquer.”