Production Holds
We at PASS understand that production holds can be scary.
One of PASS’s goals is to ensure that all industry workers can properly communicate and coordinate with each other to ensure safety, and prevent transmission of disease and infection.
This page contains information regarding what steps PASS takes during a production hold and what is expected of industry workers.
What is a Production Hold?
A production hold is a temporary suspension of adult film production, locking of the PASS system, and implementation of exposure investigation in order to reduce the risk of potential pathogen transmission.
When Are Production Holds Called?
Production holds are called when a potentially significant increase in STI exposure risk to the performer pool has been identified. The most common occurrence of production holds are when an active performer is diagnosed with HIV, however other viral STI diagnoses or a large increase in the incidence of other STIs can also trigger a production hold.
What are PASS’s Goals with Production Holds?
The paramount goal of a production hold is to reduce risk to the health and safety of the performer pool by containing exposures before transmission can occur; all other considerations, aside from those dictated by law, are secondary to this aim. However, we recognize the large fiscal burden and other potential risks a production hold can cause to those involved. To this end, we have outlined additional goals of a production hold:
Minimize the amount of time production is halted.
Ensure regular and clear communication with industry members regarding production hold status and compliance.
Mitigate the legal, fiscal, and social liability of the industry and industry members.
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Maintain close contact with PASS during all phases of a production hold.
Adhere to production hold protocols and procedures.
Follow clinical best practices in verifying active viral STI pathogens.
Follow clinical best practices in informing the patient of the infection.
Communicate with PASS regarding any reactive viral STI test results for performers.
Collect information pertinent to assessing exposure risk to the industry performer pool.
Advise PASS on the potential exposure risk to the industry performer pool.
Recommend whether or not PASS should implement a production hold in order to prevent further exposure.
Provide information and services relevant to the STI control investigation as needed.
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When a testing facility encounters a preliminary reactive test result, the facility notifies PASS’s Executive Director, who then informs the Board of Directors and key stakeholders.
Facility staff contacts Performer X, and asks them to come in for retesting.
Facility provides PASS with the following:
Date of First Reactive Test
Dates of Last 3 Nonreactive Tests
If Performer X has been successfully contacted
If Performer X is an active performer
If Performer X is new to PASS
If Performer X is new to performing
What Happens when Performer X is asked to retest?
Clinic follows best practices regarding disclosure of potentially life-altering infection.
Performer X is informed that PASS will pay the cost of retesting and, if necessary, transportation to and from the clinic.
After Performer X comes into test, they are asked to provide a list of any potential exposures within the last 30 days, with particular information regarding:
All on-set sexual contact (type of contact, performer names, production company)
All off-set sexual contact (type of contact, whether they were a performer or not, performer names)
Any possible other exposures
Performer X is given best practices documents about what performers should do following a viral STI diagnosis, and given PASS’s contact information for support through the process.
PASS then confirms the details with the facility:
Facility’s Medical Director evaluates the exposure risk to the industry based on current information.
Medical Director then contacts PASS and advises whether or not a production hold is necessary, pending retest confirmation.
Medical Director informs PASS about the results of Performer X’s retest.
Note: At no time should any information regarding Performer X’s identity, including name and gender, be revealed without their explicit consent.
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If a Production Hold Is Likely, PASS Prepares the following:
Press Release is drafted.
Media contact list prepared.
Social media content drafted.
Stakeholder phonetree prepared.
Upon learning of a potential performer infection with a viral STI, PASS will begin the implementation of a production hold for the following reasons:
It is advised by the Medical Director of the Testing Facility.
Note: If the Medical Director and the Executive Director do not agree on a production hold, while the Executive Director holds the ultimate authority, the Chair of the Board will be contacted prior to calling or not calling a production hold in consultation prior to the final decision in order to maintain transparency of process.
A high-risk exposure profile based on the initial assessment.
A high-risk exposure profile based on the performer interview.
The performer is unable to be contacted, and risk profile is unknown or potentially high.
When a Production Hold is Going to be Called:
An embargoed press release will be sent to industry media, giving them 15-minutes prior to the closing of the PASS system.
A stakeholder phone tree will be implemented, noting that the PASS system will be closed in 15-minutes.
After the allotted 15 minutes, PASS will close the PASS system and issue the Press Release on the PASS site, send an email to everyone in the PASS system, and post links to the Press Release on social media.
PASS then proceeds with the STI Control Plan.
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The STI control Plan is meant to fully contain any potential exposures that may have occurred as a result of Performer X’s viral STI. If all potential exposures cannot be accounted for, a 14-day production hold will be called.
The following information should be obtained from Performer X as soon as possible in order to create a complete list of all 1st Gen exposures:
On-Set Sexual Contact within the last 30-days
a. Scene Partner Names
b. Type of Contact
c. Production Companies worked with (if applicable)
d. Contact Information for scene partners and/or production company (if possible)
Off-Set Sexual Contact with Active Performers
a. Performer Name
b. Type of Contact
c. Contact Information for Performers (if possible)
Other Potential Exposures to Active Performers
a. Performer Name
b. Type of Exposure
c. Contact Information for Performers (if possible)
After this list is compiled, all 1st generation performers should be immediately contacted and informed so they can be retested. Additionally, performers, talent agents, and production companies are contacted in order to help identify all potential 2nd Gen exposures. This needs to be done in a manner that does not reveal the identity of Performer X.
Contact 1st Gen Performers
a. Inform 1st Gen Performers that they may have been potentially exposed to a viral STI, and that they should be tested as soon as possible. Offer PASS support, including to cover the cost of transportation and testing expenses.
b. Ask 1st Gen Performers to provide the following information in order to compile a list of 2nd Gen exposures:
On-Set Sexual Contact within the last 30-days
Scene Partner Names
Type of Contact
Production Companies worked with (if applicable)
Contact Information for scene partners and/or production company (if possible)
Off-Set Sexual Contact with Active Performers
Performer Name
Type of Contact
Contact Information for Performers (if possible)
Other Potential Exposures to Active Performers
Performer Name
Type of Exposure
Contact Information for Performers (if possible)
Contact Talent Agents + Production Companies
a. Inform Talent Agents and Production Companies (including both those identified by Performer X and 1st Gen Performers) that a performer they worked with (do not disclose who) may have been exposed to a viral STI. It is important to use this language even if you are discussing a performer with a known diagnosis, as it helps maintain privacy. Request the following information:
All scene-lists within the last 30-days, including
All performer names
Type of contact on scene
Contact Information for Performers
b. Make note of all performers who have participated in a scene with either Performer X or Gen 1 performers.
Note:
i. Anyone who worked directly with Performer X is a Gen 1 Performer. Follow the prior protocol for contacting Gen 1 Performers for anyone who has not been previously identified.
ii. Anyone who worked* with a Gen 1 Performer is a Gen 2 Performer (* “Work” in this instance means perform any activity or contact that could result in a potential exposure)
Contact 2nd Gen Performers
a. Inform Gen 2 Performers that they may have been potentially exposed to a viral STI, and that they should be tested as soon as possible. Offer PASS support, including to cover the cost of transportation and testing expenses.
b. Gen 2 Performers do not need to provide information about their on-set sexual activity
c. If any Gen 2 Performer is diagnosed with a viral STI, we move immediately into a 14-day production hold.
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There are two conditions in which a production hold may be lifted:
Medical Director confirmation that all Gen 1 exposures do not have a viral STI, or
Medical Director confirmation that all Gen 2 exposures do not have a viral STI AND any Gen 1 exposures that cannot be confirmed have been successfully contained.
Once one of these conditions have been met, PASS can initiate the following procedure to lift the production hold:
An embargoed press release is sent to industry media, with a 15-minute delay.
The PASS system is reopened.
Industry phonetree set in motion.
PASS contacts are emailed; a statement is released on social media.
Note: PASS is not a medical care provider, and does not collect any medical information other than clinic reports indicating testing protocol compliance. We are reliant on the services and medical expertise of our clinical partners to inform us when there is a possibility of increased risk, and to recommend whether or not a production hold should be put in place.