The Chair (2014)
This documentary series follows two first-time film directors, Shane Dawson and Anna Martemucci, who are given the opportunity to direct separate films adapted from the same original screenplay. The series documents the creation, marketing, and theatrical release of both films, and through multiplatform voting, the audience will ultimately determine which director will be awarded $250,000.
Seasons & Episode
Starting with the same screenplay and budget, two first-time directors from very different backgrounds, Shane Dawson and Anna Martemucci, struggle to shape the script into their own vision.
Securing financing proves to be challenging as Shane searches for crew and locations, while Anna wrestles with time-management and receives some unexpected news about a key hire.
For Shane, raunchy script content complicates casting and costs him a location. Anna blocks the producers from her casting session only to experience growing pains as a first-time director.
As the teams head into their final week of pre-production, casting dilemmas loom for Anna and Shane. Table read lead to concerns about whether their individual scripts are ready for filming.
With producers hovering, Anna and Shane feel the pressure of the first day on set.
Anna has problems managing her time on set, while producers are concerned that Shane is playing it safe.
Fatigue impacts filmmakers as tension develops between Shane and his producing partner, and Anna deals with both directing and acting.
Shane and Anna enter their final days of production. Shane shaves his head, a sign that he is moving on from his famous You Tube persona. Anna fights for her own style of directing.
Anna and Shane begin the lonely process of editing. Both filmmakers fight to stay true to their vision as they receive critiques of their work.
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