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The Store (A Covid-19 Comedy)

‘Highly-transmissible and deadly’ is how the Coronavirus was described. We were in a pandemic! People were coughing and losing their senses of taste and smell and were dying! And still, through all of the chaos and hysteria, life goes on.
Roommates Chris, Ashley, Becca and Tony have to go out in public...they are out of supplies and need to make a run to the store...during a pandemic in which the virus is ‘highly-transmissible and deadly’. All are healthy – so far – and which to remain as such. Each, in their own way, are actually in love with living so death is not an option. Still, they have to go to the store.
“The Store (A Covid-19 Comedy)” introduces the four roommates and their unique way of ‘shopping’ during the pandemic. Many of us simply make ‘shopping lists’ to work off of, these four take grocery shopping a bit more seriously than many of us. Their plan is ‘to attack, divide and conquer’. Each has a responsibility; each has a ‘mission’ to complete. Though the Coronavirus pandemic is a very serious health situation that is currently being controlled, it’s the individual psychology of some during this time that contains hilarity, wonder, and intrigue. Enter Chris, Ashley, Becca, and Tony...

  • Tanya O'Quinn
    Director
    The Cough
  • Tanya O'Quinn
    Writer
    The Cough
  • Chad Newsome
    Producer
    The Post
  • Tanya O'Quinn
    Producer
    The Cough
  • Stephanie LeHane
    Producer
  • Stephanie LeHane
    Key Cast
    "Becca"
  • Bron Theron
    Key Cast
    "Chris"
  • Gerard Marzilli
    Key Cast
    "Tony"
  • Sarah Williams
    Key Cast
    "Ashley"
  • Chad Newsome
    Director of Photography
    The Post
  • Jehad Choate
    Associate Producer
  • Christopher Brown
    Associate Producer
  • Christopher Brown
    Gaffer
  • Jehad Choate
    Sound & Music
  • Julius Tubbs
    Color
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 20, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital BRAW 1.33x 4096 x 1716
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Chad Newsome
Distribution Information
  • Chad Newsome
    Country: United States
Director Biography - Tanya O'Quinn

Tanya is a gifted Creative Writer whose imagination knows no bounds. She writes ‘what she sees’ and has recently discovered her passion for directing those ‘visions’. “Browsing History” is just one of many comedy shorts she has led across the finish line. Since her writing career began, she’s written over ten features and ten short films.

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Director Statement

“The Store (A Covid-19 Comedy)” is a story about camaraderie during the early months of the Coronavirus pandemic. And I wanted to spotlight an element of ‘camaraderie’ (‘individual acceptance’) by highlighting the quirks of each roommate. During a time when others were ordered to ‘stay at home’, only socializing with those with whom you reside became a serious test of one’s wits, patience, self-control, and/or sanity.
The ‘apocalyptic’ atmosphere occurring at many – if not all - supermarkets, grocery stores and other food outlets was a strong deterrent from basic survival. ‘A quick trip to the store to pick up an item’ became akin to The Walking Dead’s Rick and Darryl going on a scavenger run. However, these four (whose individual need for specific personal items far outweighed their fear of the unknown) prepped and planned to make sure their adventure to the Store would be safe, productive, and prompt.
As Director, I wanted to focus on at least one quirk of each character to lighten the seriousness (if that is possible) of the pandemic while also focusing on the experience of the pandemic itself. I wanted the audience to be reminded of their own quirks, irrational reactions, and personal hysteria during this challenging and scary time.
“The Store (A Covid-19 Comedy)” was our first to be shot anamorphic; and we are very pleased with about its result. With this effort we experimented with camera angles, movement and lighting. The small crew wore many hats, still their collective efforts yielded a beautiful piece of art.