Erica Meus-Saunders
FILM PROJECTS
Zamani
Runtime: 08:32 |2019| Aspect Ratio: 16:9| Frame rate: 23.97
Zamani Millar is an 18-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer from Nova Scotia! She’s been racking up accolades, most recently The Stingray Rising Star Award from Halifax Jazz Festival 2019, and Best Atlantic Musical Score Award from FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival for her song “What’s So Great About Him”.
I directed and produced this piece in late 2019 as part of Story-Book Entertainment’s digital platform.
https://story-book.ca/2019/12/05/zamani-millar-artist-feature-sb-entertainment/
The piece also played at The Emerging Lens Festival – 2020. Producer & Director: Erica Meus-Saunders
Chocolate in the Afternoon.
Run-time: 7 mins | 2017 | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Frame rate: 23.97
“Chocolate in the Afternoon”
Chocolate in the Afternoon was a short film (7 mins), that I wrote, directed and produced in the last semester before graduation. It was challenging in many ways, because I had basically 5-weeks from conception to end of filming. I had to write a screenplay, select a team, location scout, cast, select actors and set up blocking and testing and then film in 2 days. Another 2 weeks would be given for post-production and final edit.
I was able to see the accumulation of my skill-set, as well as witness the growth of team-mates. We were finally able to take charge of a project from start to finish. There were a few mistakes, but also great learning.
Most significant were the improvements in how I communicated ideas to the crew as well as actors, and allowed team members to take control of their specific areas without trying to micro-manage.
This was the first time we shot all on location, three different locations in the space of two days. Blocking the space was vital in working with the actors and developing a condensed shot list that would give enough coverage of the scenes.
DOWNLOAD DIGITAL EPK
In Escrow
Run-time: 9 mins | 2017 | Aspect ratio:16:9| Frame rate: 23.97
“In Escrow”
For In Escrow, I took on the role of camera assistant. This was something I took on voluntarily and I found it much more relaxing as I had already completed my main position of gaffer on “Love Letter”. I worked on another crew with basically the same time line to shoot and complete principal photography – 3 weeks. I came on a few days before the shoot and had a chance to look over the shot list, talk to the DOP and then was on set.
What I learned:
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How to really listen, and the importance of following instructions.
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Focus pulling. This was the first opportunity I had to do this and it was both stressful and exhilarating.
What was challenging:
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Being on a dolly with DOP and trying to stay balanced and focused while moving.
A few images from “In Escrow” (right). I focused pulled with the main character, from the entrance of the room to the window. She made a few stops along the way.
