Sarah Roberts happy back home on the set
Life after lockdown on the set of television soap Home And Away is taking some getting used to for the stars of the hit show.
Confidential
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Life after lockdown on the set of television soap Home And Away is taking some getting used to for the stars of the hit show.
But actor Sarah Roberts, who plays Willow Harris, believes viewers won’t be able to notice much of a difference when new episodes go to air.
Eagle eye viewers will however spot that there are fewer actors in each scene, while the stars of the show maintain 1.5m in social distancing.
“Acting is a contact sport so it has really changed the way we do everything," Roberts said. “It has been a collaborative process and we have been learning things along the way and making suggestions so that everyone feels safe and well looked after.”
The show went back into production after a nine week break last month and just this week returned to shooting on location at Sydney’s Palm Beach.
Hand washing is encouraged, cast and crew have their temperatures checked on arrival and makeup artists wear masks and gloves.
“It is like the real world, you can’t hug or kiss anyone but we are doing a lot with words and looks,” Roberts said.
Home And Away resumes filming after coronavirus break
Back in production after a nine-week break because of coronavirus, stars on the popular Channel 7 TV soap are still getting used to the new way of life on the Sydney set.
“It is so fabulous to be back on set and to get out of the house,” Ray Meagher, the longest serving cast member, told Confidential.
“It’s wonderful to be here — we just need to keep our wits about us and make sure we all do the right things.
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“When you first arrive, it’s a temperature test, and once you’ve passed that then you wash your hands … in fact my hands are cleaner than they’ve ever been, I reckon I could perform open-heart surgery.”
Meagher, who plays much-loved character Alf Stewart, continued: “There are signs everywhere that our management are following the protocols to a tee, which is fantastic because now that we’re back, we want to stay back so we’re all very conscious of doing it the right way.”
Home And Away production restarted at Seven’s Eveleigh studios on Monday, with the first location shoot in Sydney’s west on Tuesday. Shooting at the iconic Palm Beach is still on hold for a few weeks.
“Everybody is following the protocols, of which there are many,” Emily Symons, who plays Marilyn Chambers, said.
“I am so ready to be back to work, I really missed filming and my work family. I’m happy to comply with all the rules and get on with it and make some more Home And Away.”
For Lukas Radovich, known as Ryder Jackson on the show, returning to early mornings has been a challenge.
“After a few weeks waking up at 10am, it is pretty intense waking up at 5am again, or sometimes even earlier,” he said.
“I think getting back into the rhythm of learning lines again has been great, it is a good way to start the day, it’s going to take a little warming up to get back into it fully 100 per cent.”
Home And Away storylines have been reworked to reduce close contact between actors.
Television and film productions around the world have been crippled as the coronavirus forced closures of sets and pushed show and movie release dates back.
Originally published as Sarah Roberts happy back home on the set