Ep 244 - Midnight Taxi: Indie Filmmaking in the Pandemic with Bertie & Samantha Speirs

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter
Guest: Bertie Speirs & Samantha Speirs, Filmmakers of Midnight Taxi
Summary:
In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with Bertie and Samantha Speirs, the dynamic filmmakers behind the indie thriller Midnight Taxi, to discuss their journey into independent filmmaking, how the pandemic became an opportunity for creativity, and their experiences shooting a feature film on a tight budget. The duo shares insightful stories about the film’s unique concept of a sleepwalking cab driver embroiled in a murder mystery, as well as the challenges of indie production in a time of uncertainty. From their time working on major studio films to navigating the intricacies of VOD distribution, this episode is packed with advice for aspiring filmmakers
Takeaways:

• Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Bertie and Samantha turned pandemic limitations into a creative advantage by developing a feature-length thriller, Midnight Taxi.
• Indie Filmmaking Tips: How to stretch a low budget, film complex car scenes, and achieve cinematic shots on a shoestring.
• The Power of Story: The importance of focusing on an engaging premise and leveraging unique circumstances, like filming in empty streets during lockdown.
• Building Confidence: Overcoming intimidation and finding courage through the process of making your first feature.
• Advice for Creatives: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start creating and learn as you go—failure is part of the process.

Chapters:

• (00:38) Geoffrey’s Introduction to Bertie & Samantha Speirs
• (01:29) The Origin Story of Midnight Taxi
• (02:36) Writing and Directing: Crafting a Noir Murder Mystery
• (04:00) Shooting Complex Car Scenes on an Indie Budget
• (06:20) Casting and Working with Talent Virtually
• (08:37) Filming During the Pandemic: Empty Streets in London
• (12:32) What's Next for the Filmmaking Duo? Future Projects

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