“I have a baaad feeling about this”

– Han Solo

“I have a Plan”

–Elizabeth Warren

To our clients, partners, and freelance family,

As we’re sure you’ve seen, our state – and nations COVID-19 response has advanced, with increased restrictions and impacts to our communities, businesses, families, and daily lives. Our hearts go out to those affected—particularly to those personally at-risk or who have been directly affected by this virus. The global impacts of COVID-19 may take us more than a generation to fully understand.

We have been asked by some of our clients, partners, and extended teams about our capacity to not only keep working during these uncertain times but do so safely and within guidelines provided at the state and national level. Given the fluid nature of COVID-19 news, I wanted to share updated information with you.

What are we doing?

As you likely know, The New Blank (TNB) work product is professional services created with cloud-based software and remotely controlled workstations, render farms and servers, delivered to clients all around the United States. Being primarily involved in supporting the entertainment industry while headquartered in Seattle has required us to invest heavily in methods of working remotely, securely. This and our team makeup, applicable software, and investments in infrastructure over the years has made it so that we do not need to be in-person to deliver post-production services. That means there is very little impact of something like COVID-19 on our ability to deliver post-production, animation, and motion design work.

We will continue to operate responsibly and follow guidelines put forward by governmental leadership and will revisit our process and procedures as the situation evolves. If there is any other information from us that would be helpful for you or your team, please let us know and we can arrange a call.

As a team, Bobby, Sevrin, Andrew and I are also meeting daily to discuss new updates from the CDC, WOH, and Washington State leadership that may modify our enacted policies or inform changes. As of today, here’s our plan & guidelines:

Post-Production, Animation Studio Team Guidelines –

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds while singing a song, and if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. These are some of the songs we sing.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when sick, optional WFH policy until further notice
• Cover coughs or sneezes with tissues or cough into the elbow area, then discard the tissues in the trash and follow up with handwashing
• Daily cleaning and disinfect all keyboards, mice, screens, door handles, and commonly touched objects and surfaces. When switching staff members, all devices are once again cleaned throughout the day.

• Show compassion and support for individuals and communities most closely impacted and anyone who might be sick.

• Learn and be prepared: Visit the WA Department of Health resource page.

Production Shoots Guidelines –

• We recommend talent and crew stay home when sick thus, when possible, book back-up talent
• Posted signs reminding all crew will wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. We will have alcohol-based hand sanitizers on set.
• We will look to operate w/ lean(er) production crews and consider all travel before being booked.
• Cover coughs or sneezes with tissues or cough into the elbow area, then discard the tissues in the trash and follow up with handwashing.
• Clean & disinfect production gear, cameras, audio, and lighting equipment after setup, during lunch, and as part of the wrap.
• Medical gloves on set when necessary.
• No open food/sharing for craft services.
• EMT on set to take temperatures and monitor crew and talent health

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”

–Mike Tyson

We realize that this is developing and we may very well have far more difficult times ahead of us and we realize this might be an unexpected impact on your teams’ ability to produce work while at the same time, you need work to proceed. 

We will be staying in touch with regular updates as necessary. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to see how we can help. From all of us here at The New Blank, we hope you and all of your loved ones stay safe and healthy.

Additional resources:

• COVID-19 King County Handbook
• City of Seattle Community Resource Page
• King County Department of Public Health webpage (for tips and daily updates)
• Handwashing guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Food assistance, help paying bill and other free or reduced cost programs helping people affected by COVID-19

Chuck Granade is CEO and a partner of The New Blank.