Karen Higgins

Sourcing and hiring on-set Covid Compliance Officers & setting them up to successfully follow company protocols on shoots around the country in the lead up to the midterm elections. Communicating with each crew to insure all were tested and aware of company Covid protocols, and that those in union positions followed AICP guidelines required to determine and pay testing stipend. Collecting vaccination and testing status as necessary, determining stipends and communicating crew clearance status with producers prior to the shoot and stipend status after. Contact tracing, determining close contacts and notifying those close contacts if/when necessary. Also producing pieces in post production, sourcing assets, selecting voice-over artists, checking production budgets and other tasks as requested.

Providing presence on set, in production offices and on location encouraging cast and crew to continue following protocols as the city and state numbers fluctuate. Manage core group of set monitors and day players on scheduled days, double up days and weekend shoots, manage PPE held in testing trailer for location heavy production and lunchrooms. Work with testing company and production testing coordinator to concierge above the line cast and crew on set and/or at trailers.

Provide presence on set, in production offices and on location encouraging cast and crew to continue following protocols even as the city and state relaxed their mandates. Manage set monitors, capacities, lunch and FX marketing photoshoots. Travelled to LA to oversee tech scout and shoot needs including capacities, testing, manage set monitor and continue to encourage both Chicago and LA based cast and crew to follow protocols.

Setting up protocols on set, location and offices as directed by 2020 Safe Way Forward agreement and July 2021 update to same, Covid training all new employees on the protocols, posting all required signage regarding protocols and capacity, conducting daily health screening and temperature checks, setting up and conducting weekly testing, couriering tests to obtain results, sourcing, purchasing and disseminating PPE, tracking test results, vaccination status and inventory in secure spreadsheets, answering questions, providing updates and supplies to all cast and crew as needed. Tested 3x/week, and fully vaccinated.

Certified Covid-19 Safety Manager, NBCUniversal Media, LLC (August 2020 – Present) Setting up protocols on set, location and offices as directed by NBCUniversal (based on CDC and WHO recommendations,) monitoring protocols on the same, Covid training all new employees on the protocols, sourcing, ordering and disseminating PPE that fits the protocols, tracking inventory, answering questions, providing updates and supplies to all cast and crew as needed. Tested daily, and fully vaccinated as of March 2021.

Brainstorm episode themes, research and cast segments, field produce and string out edits for "S.E.E. Chicago," a reality based entertainment show featuring shopping, entertainment and events in Chicago.

Produced half hour special "Chicago's Best: An Inside Look". Show premiered on WGN September 6, 2016 earning a 1.5/1.2 rating.

Supervised the 're-production' of 400+ episodes of The Johnny Carson Show to air on Tribune Media's Antenna TV. Logged, reviewed union, music, content and other issues, instructed editor(s) and then reviewed for air.