When Calls The Heart Season 8 Filming Early, But It’s Not Why You Think

When Calls The Heart season 8 has begun production and it’s a bit earlier than last year. You might think that they are doing it because the filming safety protocols and quarantine requirements slow down production, and that might be part of it. However, Eric Krakow, who plays Elizabeth Thatcher, explained it’s for another reason you might not have thought of.

WCTH Season 8 Starts Filming

Fans were excited when When Calls The Heart was renewed for season 8. Then, viewers were relieved when it was announced that the cast was headed to Vancouver to film. Nobody was sure when they were going to be given the green light because there are so many regulations that must be followed now.

Hallmark Channel News – Safety Protocol Slows Production

TV productions are having to follow a lot more rules now due to the pandemic. Cast and crew coming from other areas must quarantine for 14 days when they arrive in Vancouver. Most productions across the globe are also having everyone go through a health screening, answering medical questions, and periodic testing for COVID-19. Social distancing and wearing masks is required on set. While masks are taken off when they are in front of the camera, they still need to stay in their bubble area.

It is predicted that safety rules on TV and movie sets could increase costs by 20 percent and it will definitely slow production.

COVID-19 Could Spike Again

Vancouver is doing relatively well compared to Los Angeles and New York, where a lot of other shows are filmed. However, there is always the chance that COVID-19 could spike again. If that happens, people have to be prepared for restrictions to tight backup. If it gets really bad, we could look at another lockdown. So, filming early can deal with the slowed production without it delaying the premiere date. It can also get shows back on the air quicker in case there is another quarantine. But surprisingly, Krakow gave another reason for WCTH filming early.

Hallmark Channel News – When Calls The Heart Season 8: Outdoor Filming

Krakow told Entertainment Tonight that this time of year, Vancouver has beautiful weather. It makes it the perfect time to film outdoors. Filming as few scenes indoors as possible is actually for two reasons.

The first is that infections tend to spread worse indoors. There is a theory that it is due to running heaters and air conditioners. When the HVAC unit is turned on, the air pushes through the vents and spreads to every room in a building. So, even if you are social distancing, infected droplets could manage to be flung to other rooms via the vents.

The other reason is that When Calls The Heart is operating using the pod method. Think of pods like department bubbles. Each person on set belongs to a certain department aka pod, and they need to stay within their bubble as much as possible. When filming is taking place outside, it’s much easier to avoid going into other pods (think of it like avoiding cross-contamination). It can be done inside, but it’s understandable more difficult because the walls, windows, and closed doors tend to restrict you from moving around without crossing into another pod.

It sounds like the Hallmark TV show is coming up with a lot of creative solutions to adjust to the new normal.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with WCTH right now. Come back here often for When Calls The Heart spoilers, news, and updates.