Experiencing Interruptions?

Once Upon a Pandemic

“Once Upon a Pandemic” is the story of a young girl Maddie, self-isolated in her home during a global pandemic without help from her quarantined Mom. With the help of her Dad, Maddie uses her strength and resilience to overcome a heartbreaking twist as only a child can.

  • Ryan Northcott
    Director
    Ameera
  • Ryan Northcott
    Writer
    Ameera
  • Ryan Northcott
    Producer
    Ameera
  • Kristin Booth
    Key Cast
    "Mom"
    Young People F**king, Detroit Rock City, Foolproof, The Kennedys After Camelot
  • Ryan Northcott
    Key Cast
    "Dad"
    Mystery Alaska, The Beach Boys An American Family, Tribal, They Who Surround Us, Chasing Justice
  • Maddie Murphy-Northcott
    Key Cast
    "Maddie"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 28, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    4,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Edmonton International Film Festival
    Edmonton
    Canada
    October 3, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Oakville Film Festival
    Oakville
    Canada
    June 18, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Canada Shorts Film Festival

    Canada
    Award of Excellence
  • Front Range Film Festival

    United States
    February 20, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival
    Winnipeg
    Canada
    February 18, 2021
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Ryan Northcott

Ryan Northcott is a Canadian actor, producer, director, and writer. Some of Northcott’s most recognizable roles over the 20+ year career include the young rookie Stevie Weeks in “Mystery, Alaska” and the kind-hearted Beach Boy Carl Wilson in the Emmy Nominated mini-series “The Beach Boys: An American Family”.

In 2011, Northcott co-founded MEDIAPOP Films – a film, tv, and video production company based in Calgary where he produces, directs, writes and films content for commercials, films, television, and branded content including the recently wrapped short film “Ameera”.

More recently, Ryan can be seen in JANN, the Twilight Zone, Heartland, and the top-grossing dutch film in the Netherlands for 2019 Penoza/Black Widow as the foul truck driver “Jimmy”.
Coming soon to screens Ryan has a slew of roles in TV and Film including “Let Him Go”, “Chasing Justice” where he plays real life investigative journalist Julian Sher, “They Who Surround Us”, “Jasmine Road” and of course, proudly playing the role of “Mitch Wharick” in the APTN show “Tribal”.

Northcott lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and has one daughter, Madeleine, who hopes to follow in his footsteps. Ryan still plays hockey as often as he can, is a nominal drummer, and is a mainstay in the Alberta film community as performer and filmmaker.

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Director Statement

I wrote the screenplay one morning while in self-isolation, touching on the new reality that parents are navigating – teacher, entertainer, psychologist – all while trying to maintain a level of strength in a world turned upside down. What struck me was the strength and resilience that our children have exhibited, more specifically how well my daughter Maddie has handled such change.

Left to their own devices, what would a child do in a situation like the one faced during a global pandemic?