Creative Solutions for COVID Production

The mark of any great company is how they adapt to a sudden change of circumstances, and this is undoubtedly the case amid the COVID crisis. From long-distance shooting to an increase in motion graphics, here are some examples of creative pivots achieved by recent productions.

User-Generated Video

Since its inception into mainstream media, most of us industry folks have cringed at the idea of user-generated content. However, this NY Times piece about Tanya Denise Fields, a mother who is in lockdown with her six kids, is truly brilliant work.

Animation

So many in production are afraid to dip into animation as they fear production will take too long. However, this lovely film directed by Olmo Parenti proves that idea to be false.  "My Boyfriend Died in Wuhan" is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online series of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.

Motion Graphics

I have long looked to Vox for inspiration on how to use clever motion graphics for quick turn- around non-fiction pieces. As any Vox fan knows, this is far from their best work, but it is an excellent example of what simple vector-based motion graphics can accomplish for timely short-form pieces.

I’m even more impressed with Vox’s long-form Explainer episode they managed to piece together super quickly for Netflix. 

Shooting

DPs who are no longer permitted to travel and work closely with crews have found workarounds with the help of new tools like Open Reel. Here are some examples of nicely composed and lit interview setups.

As Aiden Darné, SVP of Production for Vice Media Group recently discussed, Vice has been experimenting with other super safe shooting protocols.

DPs will enter an empty space, set up camera and lighting, disinfect, and then leave the area so the on-camera talent can enter. Then, through remote directing, the shoot can start without endangering anyone.

Here’s a two-camera setup from Shane Smith’s “bachelor den”. I wonder where in that lovely study he stashes his cocaine.

Drones

Shooting with drones is probably the safest (and most post-apocolyptic) filming method around. Check out this video that used a drone to explore Wuhan, China. I have no idea how they got permission to do this.

Commercial Animation

And finally, the winner for most creative goes to….of course, a damn commercial! Argentinian studio aptly named Not Real was commissioned to make this for Nike. They got this done with their entire team working remotely while under lockdown. Impressive. What’s better, they shared their creative process, which is a worthwhile read.

What to look out for…

The brilliant Jenji Kohan has just signed a deal with Netflix for a show about quarantine called Social Distance. The entire anthology will be produced remotely. Talent will be directed remotely, Weisman Graham runs production from her living room, and the cast films themselves from home.

Final Thoughts

To all my lovely colleagues in the production world, please continue to stay safe while navigating this crazy crisis. And for any who has been out of work, keep reaching out to your community (and to me) for support. I am 100% confident that our industry will bounce back soon as all these publishers, platforms, and brands will be desperate to replenish their stock of content soon.