FILMMAKER Q&A – Stephen Schrum – Director

GS: What was the inspiration for your film?

SS: I kept seeing those instructions about how to wash hands properly, and wondered: what would happen in the case of the zombie apocalypse? Would it really help? And then, with Covid-19, somehow the film seemed very relevant!

GS: When did you conceive the idea for your film and how long did it take before it was realized?

SS: It’s been kicking around in my head for a few years, and I finally thought, you know, I have to just DO it. I created a GoFundMe so I could pay the actors and composer, and then chose a day to film it.

GS: What was the most challenging aspect of working in a short film format?

SS: Luckily, the people who created the hand washing instructions gave me the perfect script to work with, so the short film format wasn’t really a challenge at all.

GS: What was the most challenging aspect of your production?

SS: Filming in a very tight space—that’s a real washroom. Getting the right angles, especially for the last shot, required a number of takes.

GS: Do you have any advice for first-time filmmakers?

SS: When you know what film you want to make, write it, and make it. Don’t wait for the right time; now is the right time.