Pandemic Profile: Natasha Georgia-Craft Services
/As we think about safe food practices heading into Thanksgiving, there is one dept that thinks of this all year, Craft Services. We at Local 490 have the best craft services artists in the Twin Cities. They supply that needed rush of calories on small commericials or big movie sets. There are on the top shelf in the film industry in Minnesota. Not only do they perform their role well on set, many own additional businesses that serve our film community. In this series, Pandemic Profiles, we are highlighting our union members who are showing us how they are evolving their business in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Next up, Local 490 member Natasha Georgia craft services.
Natasha on set, masked up and extra safe with a hard hat on a union Xcel Energy shoot. (image by Natasha)
In her words,
“Nearly everything about Craft Services has changed with COVID-19. Gone are the lovingly prepared meat & cheese platters, big bowls of chips, dips and platters of doughnuts that once graced craft tables. No more standing around the craft table chatting in between set ups. Keeping everyone safe is the priority.
The old days of crafty meat and cheese platters is on hiatus, when will it come back? (photo by Natasha)
The old pre-pandemic days of meat and cheese plates. (image provided by Natasha)
Now, only one person can approach the craft table at a time with freshly sanitized hands, wearing a mask. Pre-packaged food and beverages must be handed to them. Crafty has gone from a buffet style spread to a highly sanitized take-out deli. There is no more food and beverage passing as Crew cannot eat on set and sanitary food cannot leave and then go back to the crafty table.
It is common to see signs at our station to; wash hands, stay distanced, stay safe!
(image provided by Natasha)
Crafty “Feed Bags” are now more the norm. (image provided by Natasha)
Prep time takes twice as long as everything must be portioned and wrapped individually in a fully sanitized area. Take out containers and packaging of all shapes and sizes must be sought out for everything you can’t get pre-packaged. Much more garbage is created and food is wasted. We were doing so well with being earth friendly on set!
The new Crafty spread is much different, everything is individually wrapped. Hand sanitizer is on the table.
But, we adapt, accept the new normal and find more efficient ways of doing things as we go. I do have to say that I love how sanitary everything is now. No more dirty fingers grabbing a handful of chips instead of using tongs. “You touch it you take it!” is the new rule. All the little things we have done without thinking in the past can now spread Covid-19 if we’re not careful.
Natasha’s Covid Safety Guidelines. (image provided by Natasha)