FILMING for new-Sitcom ‘Briefs’ filmed in Redcar is to re-commence under strict new coronavirus measures.

Briefs is a sitcom revolving around the day-to-day life of a 'not so average’ High Street legal practice which is ridiculous, chaotic and altogether mixed up. Filming has been carried out at various locations in Redcar including the beach and the South Gare as well as its main base at Richard J Knaggs on Redcar High Street. The show boasts a Northern cast and crew including former Coronation Street actor Billy Doherty and Redcar-based actor Andy Tate.

Filming began in February 2020 however due to the Covid-19 pandemic, filming had to come to a halt in March before the first episode was fully completed. Fortunately, the final scenes are now able to be shot with a ‘skeleton’ cast and crew adopting a strict hygiene and infection control regime necessary to adhere to ‘Covid Safe’ workplace guidelines.

Briefs was written by actress, writer and qualified barrister Teresa Taylor who is from Redcar and a former student at Rye Hills School in the town. When asked how Covid-19 had affected filming Teresa explained “Our final two days of filming were challenging, although there were only a small number of actors needed in each scene, due to scheduling we could have up to 30 people in the building at a time which was not ideal under the circumstances as we became aware that Covid-19 was about to have a big impact on us all. We managed to film the last few scenes enough for a teaser trailer before having to stand the production down.

“To minimise the risk, we have re-worked the schedule for our actors to be on-set only when needed and stripped the crew back meaning we have very low numbers of people on site at any one time. We keep the rooms well-ventilated and social distance combined with lots of hand-washing, mask wearing and cleaning of areas, props and equipment.”

“It’s been a difficult and testing past seven months for everyone. Film work often involves close physical contact and proximity for cast and crew which has resulted in many productions being postponed and put on hold. Following strict Covid-19 government guidance we have been able to resume filming of some of our scenes in a Covid secure shoot/ environment. We have picked scenes involving minimal cast and crew to ensure safety but the remainder of our scenes will have to now wait until 2021. Due to the film industry now struggling, many commissioners for TV channels were furloughed and there was a real reluctance to taking a punt on new productions in the current climate. We are consequently currently self-funding this TV series in its entirety. This is not stopping us planning and organising – we will have some catching up to do next year and we can’t thank legal firm RJ Knaggs enough for their trust, patience and accommodation of our needs!”

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic and as part of the government's guidance, filming across the country was suspended on other TV Programmes including ITV’s North East based series ‘Vera’ which has now also been able to resume.

For more information about the Briefs Sitcom, visit the Briefs Sitcom Facebook page and Social Media pages at www.facebook.com/BriefsSitcom , Instagram @BriefsSitcom or Twitter @BriefsSitcom.