Michael Bay's pandemic-set romantic film halts production
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3 Jul – The Michael Bay-produced pandemic movie "Songbird" was poised to begin filming this month, but looks like that's not happening anytime soon.
While film and TV production have been allowed to resume in the county since 12 June, "Songbird" won't be able to do any filming as it's been hit with a "Do Not Work" notice from American labour union SAG-AFTRA.
"The producers have not been transparent about their safety protocols, and that is something we obviously take very seriously. Also, as noted in the Do Not Work order, the producers have not yet become signatory to our agreement. We have no further comment," a rep told The Hollywood Reporter.
A note sent by the union to its members stated, "The producer of the picture entitled Songbird has failed to complete the signatory process and is therefore not signed to any applicable SAG-AFTRA agreement. As such, SAG-AFTRA members are hereby instructed to withhold any acting services or perform any covered work for this production until further notice from the union."
It added that "accepting employment or rendering services on Songbird may be considered a violation of Global Rule One" and violating the order "may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA Constitution."
To be directed by Adam Mason, the movie is set two years in the future during a pandemic lockdown and tells of a love story between a young artist named Sara and a motorbike courier named Nico who has rare immunity.
When it was first announced in May, the movie was gearing up to be the first coronavirus-era movie to be shot in Los Angeles as it was looking to start filming the moment restrictions were lifted.
Just last week, about a month since the project was revealed, it was reported that Demi Moore, Craig Robinson, Paul Walter Hauser and Peter Stormare have joined the cast, though only Moore's character is known for – matriarch Piper Griffin. The main roles have yet to be cast.
(Photo source: John Parra | Getty Images)
