INTERVIEW
FIRST OPTION With the entertainment industry preparing for the return of live events, TPi’s Stew Hume chats to First Option’s Martin Barraclough about how the company hopes to aid in this revival – not just in terms of COVID-19 safety measures, but also pushing a healthier duty of care for the live events sector.
It’s hard to find a silver lining where COVID-19 is concerned, however, if the live events industry has gained anything from the pandemic, it’s been the chance to pause and consider health and safety regulations and duty of care for the hard-working crew behind tours, festivals and large-scale events. It is why we have seen collectives such as the Touring Production Group (TPG) form to help provide guidance alongside the Production Services Association (PSA), with the aim of preparing people for events in a COVID-19 world. There have also been organisations outside of our industry providing services to those wishing to upskill and gain the necessary knowledge to be able to put on a live event competently and safely. First Option, although perhaps not as known in the touring sector, is regarded as one of the world’s largest safety consultants to the media and entertainment industry. Having specialised in TV and film, the company has provided support for a number of huge productions, from top dramas like Killing Eve to awardwinning blockbusters such as Bohemian Rhapsody. First Option has also had extensive experience in live events, including premieres, sporting events and festivals – particularly the broadcast
element of festivals as apposed to live production. However, in this ever-changing world where the lines of broadcast and live are becoming increasingly blurred, the safety experts has expanded into the live events field. One way in which the company has done this is by employing a number of people from the live events sector to bolster their overall knowledge. A familiar name within the live event circuit, Martin Barraclough has worked as a Safety Manager for DNG Production & Event Crew for a number of years. Having been heavily involved with the TPG throughout the pandemic, he moved over to work with First Option in July. “First Option was looking for a consultant based in Manchester,” he began, talking to TPi via Zoom as he took a break from a high end TV drama he is overseeing in Spain – his first abroad project this year. “I’ve been involved in the live events industry in one form or another for the past 20 years and, while I’ve specialised into this H&S role, it’s great to bring my knowledge of live events into an organisation such as First Option.” Talking generally of the ever-closing gap between the broadcast and live sectors, he summarised how the two worlds could very much learn 60
