LIFE REFLECTING: Filming During Covid 19
By Tuesday, August 25 we will have completed principal photography on a new SAG-AFTRA Short LIFE REFLECTING, written by producer, Melissa Farris.
After the success of DOLLARS and SENSE, Ms. Farris asked both myself and Nick Bradshaw to join her in the project as Director and Director of Photography, respectively.
The short film hones in on three sketches: each one sensitively portraying efforts made by people who—by mirroring their own traumas—bring about catharses in others.
We’re meeting so many creative challenges in shooting under SAG-AFTRA’s strict Covid-19 guidelines.
All rehearsals have been conducted entirely via Zoom. Daily adjustments with the screenwriter are immediately followed by sessions with the actors, myself, Nick and Sound Engineer, Phillip Bevers.
Actors will be shooting from their home environments using their best digital cameras and microphones. Takes will be received from each actor in cycles of three. Adjustments will then be communicated via our Virtual Video Village—after which the actors will resume their process of submitting to us. After tech and once principal photography has wrapped, we’ll have twenty-seven takes total. The film then moves forward to editing in post production.
We’re pretty much making it up as we go along. There’s no prototype to follow for this kind of film making. Our faith becomes stronger with each challenge we meet. It’s been an intense several weeks. Our only means of communication has been via cellphones, streaming and emails. We’re up to the task. And, thankfully, the WiFi Lords have—for the most part— been on our side. So has the dedication of the three wonderful actors we’ve hired: Leslie Lynn Meeker, Mark Shock and Allison Siko.
Following the path of most creative processes, LIFE REFLECTING has been exciting, educational and a little terrifying at times. We’re at the forefront of a new trend in Union COVID Filmmaking. We hope to see this trend end quickly. Until the challenge of Covid has been rationally met by those we trust…Stay dedicated to your passions, disciplines and processes!
Kudos to Melissa Farris for having the courage to do just that.
Remain creative.
Stay engaged.
