Life as a creative during the pandemic felt like being caged. Big ideas, nowhere to land. When restrictions lifted and production stirred back to life, I had to get moving or lose my mind. So I rallied my people and made my short film Almost Us. Here’s the quick version of how it came together.
Make the thing.
I’m a Golden Retriever at heart. If you’re excited, I’m excited. Once my kids were back in school, I reconnected with my filmmaking crew and got back to in-person creating. After all that isolation, it felt like finally chasing the squeaky toy again.
Live below your means.
I saved hard and cut the extras all year. That gave me flexibility in production, like getting the lens and lighting package my DP “absolutely needed or else.” It also meant no cutting corners on quality.
Set real goals.
I journal and track milestones daily. Script by June 1. Shoot by September 1. Final cut by December 25. Clear targets kept me focused without burning out. I became my own hype man.
Lean on family.
Support makes the whole thing possible. My mother-in-law stepped in with childcare-help during prep, freeing me up to focus. She also wanted a premiere date so she could invite her Temple crew. I mean, who needs a red carpet when you have a group of elderly women ready to cheer you on?
What’s next?
What’s next for the film? Probably not an Oscar. Probably not Sundance. That’s fine. I made something with people I care about, and I get to share it with my kids. If you want to make a film, it’s doable! Keep a job, live simply, ask for help, and keep going. If you’re not creating, you’re just waiting.
Watch it here:
Below are some BTS shots from set. Thumbs up!
