Ep 202: Safety Reform Urged by Emmy-Nominated Producer

Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

In this episode, we delve into the critical topic of production safety in film and TV with our esteemed guest, Paul Epstein. Paul is an Emmy-nominated executive producer renowned for his work across scripted, factual, and news TV for networks like MSNBC, Discovery, and NatGeo. With approximately 100 credits to his name, Paul's career highlights include producing iconic shows such as The Apprentice USA and Westerns like Into the Wild Frontier. Key Discussion Points:

• Production Oversight: Currently, the oversight of film and TV productions primarily relies on state and local filming permits, with no centralized governing body ensuring safety standards.
• Industry Challenges: On non-union productions, there is often a lack of third-party oversight for critical safety roles such as armorer or animal wrangler, leaving safety protocols vulnerable to oversight by inexperienced directors or producers.
• Call for Reform: Paul advocates for the establishment of state-level governing bodies to enforce safety standards uniformly across all productions, preventing tragedies like the one seen on the set of Rust.

Guest Introduction: Paul Epstein joins us to discuss his career journey, insights into producing on a tight budget, intellectual property in the industry, and his experiences with docudramas. From showrunner to executive producer and beyond, Paul offers a comprehensive view of production safety and its critical importance in the wake of recent industry tragedies.

Educational Value of This Episode:

• Understanding Production Oversight: Learn about the current lack of centralized governing bodies overseeing film and TV productions, relying instead on state and local permits.
• Challenges in Non-Union Productions: Explore the risks associated with non-union productions, where critical safety roles may lack third-party oversight, potentially compromising crew safety.
• Importance of Establishing Safety Standards: Discover why Paul advocates for the establishment of state-level governing bodies to enforce consistent safety protocols across all productions, aiming to prevent tragedies like those seen on sets such as Rust.

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmaker_damien_swaby/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FDamienSwaby
Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: The People of Brixton https://www.kweli.tv/watch/kweli/the-people-of-brixton