Being locked down during COVID was challenging for so many. I wanted to tell the story of a couple confined in their small apartment, limited to just their living room, bedroom, and bathroom—spaces that made it impossible to escape the emotional ups and downs. The tension of isolation clashed with the love and gratitude of having each other.
But what most people don’t know is that the two dancers starring in this short film were the only ones ever in the same room! We were incredibly lucky—not only were they both dancers, but they also owned a decent camera to film with.
The dancers were locked down in New York. Juni composed the original music in Madrid. Elizabeth, the choreographer, was in New York, but outside the city. Madge co-directed from Manila. I co-directed from Madrid, also acting as Director of Photography—guiding the dancers on exactly where to place the camera for each shot and what settings to use. With all of us spread across three continents, we had to adapt to a time that worked for everyone, making the most of the few overlapping hours we had to collaborate in real time.
Looking back at such a difficult time actually makes me smile. We were all connected through Zoom, proving that when you truly want to make something happen, there are no limits. You just need to find a way—and surround yourself with people who are just as adventurous and willing to embrace unorthodox ways of creating. Thanks to that shared energy and trust, we pulled off what was probably the first-ever digital, multi-continental video shoot!
