The Drug Deal (A Covid-19 Comedy)
‘Gary’ is a loving and devoted father. He is a family-man and very proud of it. And even though he loves spending time with his family, during his ‘me time’, he indulges in gangsta movies and westerns.
During the early days of the pandemic, people were losing their minds. There was a lot of ‘unknowing’ and fear. But when Gary discovers that a serious issue is affecting his family, he pulls out all of the stops to make sure things are handled and in a timely manner. So, with his clueless friend ‘Carl’ assisting in him on ‘a secret mission’, Gary pulls off ‘the feat of a lifetime’…and all in the name of ‘family’.
“The Drug Deal (A Covid-19 Comedy)” is an ‘intimate’ snapshot into the life of a loving father providing for his family. Against all odds and during a pandemic, Gary is determined to make sure his family is protected, provided for, and happy.
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Tanya O'QuinnDirector
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Tanya O'QuinnWriter
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Chad NewsomeProducer
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Tanya O'QuinnProducer
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Sarah WilliamsProducer
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Sandra SmithProducer
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Bron TheronKey Cast"Carl"
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Gerard MarzilliKey Cast"Gary"
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Michael C. JenkinsCinematography
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Jorge ValienteCinematography
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Julius TubbsColor
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Jehad ChoateSound & Music
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Chad NewsomeEditor
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Christopher BrownGaffer
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Michael C. JenkinsGaffer
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Jorge ValienteGaffer
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Lina CooperSoundtrack Artist
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:8 minutes 23 seconds
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Completion Date:August 18, 2021
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital BRAW 6K 4:4:4
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Tanya O’Quinn is a gifted writer whose imagination knows no bounds. At the suggestion of a co-worker, she delved into screenwriting. No formal education; no books read; just a strong desire to tell stories. Soon, the passionate and ‘imaginatively submissive’ writer found herself penning forty pages in one day! She writes ‘what she sees’ and has recently discovered her passion for directing those ‘visions’. Tanya made her ‘directorial debut’ in The Cough (A Covid-19 Comedy) and went on to do the same as Writer/Director in Browsing History, The Drug Deal (A Covid-19 Comedy) and The Store (A Covid-19 Comedy). Currently, in pre-production, is The Raid (A Covid-19 Comedy). Since her writing career began, she’s written over ten full-length features and twelve short films.
The Coronavirus is no joke! This is my first pandemic; I didn’t know what to expect! My first short on the matter was “The Cough (A Covid-19 Comedy)” with which I made my directorial debut. I had to. I wrote the script because even though coughing is a normal bodily function in which the lungs may be trying to expel toxic particles, it was also known as the main symptom (and most obvious) of the Coronavirus. Smokers were not safe in public because that Newport cough may be ‘The Covid’.
There was mass uncertainty and fear; we were ‘ordered to stay home’ and ‘only socialize with those in our households’. There was panic-buying and inventory shortages. There were long lines and bare streets. It got real…and it got real scary.
The load needed to be lightened. Through the eyes of a Writer with the heart of a Director, “The Drug Deal (A Covid-19 Comedy)” is presented. With this effort, I wanted to highlight a ‘characteristic’ of the pandemic yet in a comical manner. I wanted to lighten the load.
In this piece, I show two types of ‘commitment’: one is a ‘commitment to family’, as demonstrated by ‘Gary’ with his effort to provide for his family by any means necessary; the other is the commitment to ‘accomplishing a goal’, as demonstrated by ‘Carl’ with his desire to please his ‘idol’ and friend Gary.
As Director (and Writer), I also wanted to spotlight dynamics of all relationships – the ‘intention vs expectation’ feature. While Gary just needed someone to help him fulfill his intention, Carl expected to make a favorable impression upon his ‘idol’ and friend. “The Drug Deal (A Covid-19 Comedy) is ‘male-bonding’ at its best…during a pandemic.