Directing Remotely and Filmmaking During the Pandemic: The Making of #MyCorona (2021)

Filmmakers Phil Gorn and Kirk Zeller were on the verge of filming a SAG production when COVID-19 hit which inspired them to write the romantic comedy #MyCorona about how the pandemic brought an LA apartment community together and sparked some new romances. They pivoted from their SAG production to brainstorming and planning how to film #MyCorona safely. They decided to film #MyCorona on a closed set in rural Nebraska and direct it remotely. To minimize human contact a closed set was used with the cast staying on location and in some cases filming their scenes in the very apartments where they stayed during filming. Some case members even did their scenes via video conference reflecting the realities of stay-at-home life. Crew was cut back to an absolute minimum and everyone was asked to multi-task. Cast was responsible for their own makeup, hair, and wardrobe and in some cases even pitched in to help on the production keeping the total number of people working on the production to an absolute minimum. Directing Remotely and Filmmaking During the Pandemic: The Making of #MyCorona showcases how #MyCorona was made safely during the pandemic. It includes perspectives from the remote director, cast, cinematographer, producers, casting coach, and crew on some of the following topics: Directing and being direct remotely Working on a closed set and cast dynamics COVID-19 precautions during filming and pre-production Acting via video-conference Acting with masks Acting in a romantic comedy without traditional intimacy scenes Working with an ever evolving script.