From @guidetofilmtvpost‘s interview this week with Sheri Sussman writer / director / producer..
Wanted to speak with Sheri Sussman about her experience directing a film during covid. Sheri is a writer who also directs and produces, from successful indie features to acclaimed documentaries, to award winning short films. “MacArthur Park,” a feature she co-wrote, directed by Billy Wirth, premiered and was distributed by The Sundance Channel.
Her current project as writer/director, “Shutter the Doors,” is a short film starring Ian Buchanan (Twin Peaks) and Billy Wirth (The Lost Boys), and DP’d by Justin Janowitz. They shot the entire project in one day at the legendary music club THE MINT in LA,.
In asking Sheri how things changed for them shooting during the lockdown, she says, “Not much really except for being extra cautious on limiting the crew and number of days. We were totally CDC and SAG covid compliant (their producer, Adam Rex, was a certified covid officer as required by SAG), everyone was tested as required, wore masks and PPE, social distanced, kept catering and crafty all separated, etc.” “The one day shoot limited the risk.”
She added that there were temperature checks at check-in, ppe made available to everyone from masks, gloves, individual bottles of sanitizer, plastic face guards, and meals (which they got from Canters) were bagged individually. They had a green room out in back of The Mint for the one person doing hair and makeup (who had already had both her vaccinations btw). They did not allow any guests or extra people on set, only essential people working on the film.
When asked about the comfort levels or hesitation, Sheri says that the carefully assembled cast & crew were very professional, respectful and positive. The environment was comfortable, relaxed and safe for everyone.
Sheri’s editor, Scott Harvey, and she worked completely remotely. He would share his screen, as well as bounce QT files back and forth. They did Zoom sessions as well. Sheri’s sound designer, Andy Kantos, also did sound remotely, then mixed on one day at a covid safe sound stage, Unbridled Sound. Sheri is working with colorist Mark Todd Osborne on the color timing for the film. She says normally she would be in the room with her team, but due to covid constraints this was the safest way to work. Sheri says that the reason why she feels this was successful was that these are “long time colleagues who’ve done my other films for me for over 10 years, so we work very well together and it’s not a problem at all.”
She will have her DCP created at Light Iron (which has its own set of covid protocols listed extensively on their website). The film’s publicist is Melanie Marquez at M4PR.
With some solid planning and putting together a trusted team, Sheri’s project ran smoothly and the new protocols did not appear to affect her budget or deadlines.
For more on Sheri Sussman, her projects and her latest film “Shutter the Doors” check out..
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0839950/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
@spiralgateproductions
@sheri_sussman
@adamtrex
@m4pr
And more at our @guidetofilmtvpost