Covid-19 turned the world upside down. Filmmaking was one of the industries heavily affected—and post-pandemic changes are still continuing.
But it’s not all bad news. Although many films’ release dates were pushed back due to the pandemic, other films only came to life because of the extraordinary conditions during 2020.
Remote films and TV shows were produced all around the world during Covid, such as the BBC series Staged and the horror film Host.
Whether you’re thinking of producing or taking part in a remote film or you simply want to understand more about the trends that emerged, here’s what you need to know.
1) Connection is an Important Theme
Connection (or the lack of it) between people has emerged as a hugely important theme in pandemic-created films. Scott Roxborough, writing in the Hollywood Reporter, explains that:
“The themes of isolation and the struggle for personal connection run through much of the 2021 Berlin competition lineup.”
This lineup included films like Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman, in which 8-year-old Nelly tries to reconnect with her absent and depressed mother. She meets a child version of her mother in the film.
2) The Use of Virtual Production Technology Has Accelerated
Virtual production is a successor to green screen that creates a 3D space with intricate backgrounds that are created pre-production. This means actors can interact with their surroundings—which can also be changed at the click of a button.
With cast and crews unable to travel, this provides a way forward for films that need to be shot on location. Virtual production supervisor Mark Pilborough-Skinner, from Garden Studios, is quoted by Sky News saying:
“Several triple-A productions and even smaller ones are starting to use it. It has definitely pushed lots and lots of filmmakers that have either had to revise scripts or cancel productions to actually see that they can set their shoots in Brazil [for example].”
3) Films Are Being Released Straight to Streaming
Movie theaters closed during the height of the Covid pandemic—and many people have remained reluctant to return to them. Major studios have released films straight to streaming as well as bringing them out into movie theaters.
Marvel’s Black Widow, for instance, was released to Disney+ (for a fee) at the same time as being released into theaters. Critics felt that this meant the movie underperformed, with a huge second weekend collapse in ticket sales.
Filming Remotely
If you’re planning or working on your own film remotely, think about:
Adapting the Script
You may need to adapt your script—perhaps significantly—to account for difficulties in filming. This could mean removing scenes that contain multiple characters, for instance, to avoid the need to get too many people together in one place.
Using Your Cast’s Existing Equipment
If cast members have an iPhone, that could be good enough for filming. As the director, you’ll want to follow Katherine Sweetman’s advice and “See what the actor’s iPhone sees. So you want to remotely-view into that device. Then work with the actor to figure out the frame and get the shots and performance you need.
Throwing a Virtual Wrap Party
Finally … don’t forget your wrap party! Shooting a film (even a short one) remotely is a huge achievement. You want to celebrate in style. At the minimum, you could all get together on a Zoom call for a few drinks. If you want to go a bit further, there are plenty of ideas here for making your event more interesting.
Filmmaking can still take place in a remote world … it might just take a little extra ingenuity.
Claire is a passionate storyteller who writes about a wide range of topics – from business and technology to sports and lifestyle. She loves to engage her audience with informative but interesting pieces.
