The Making of Mara & Chen

[@TifasKnight]

I'm thoroughly humbled. This may not have been a huge production with thousands of people but still it's intimidating and also enthralling. Film making seems almost indiscernible from the outside. I want to know everything at once and yet have a terrible fear it's unknowable to me. A peak behind the curtain and all I'm left with is the question of "How can anybody possibly focus on or control all that chaos?" "What are the little mundane tasks that glue it all together?" "How do you approach people/companies?" "How do you get permits from the government?" "Are e-mails sent with a certain format or formality without which nobody will take you seriously?" And your film came out so well! You're a heck of a filmmaker, Shawna, and from my perspective you're practically a film making superhero.

[@tessaviolet]

I didn't realize that final scene was in your house! This was so fun!

[@shawna]

We were supposed to be shooting in this really cool mansion house but it fell through last minute and I was like WELP I GUESS IT'S MY HOUSE THEN GUYS COME ON OVER

[@goldfishtime]

This short film has given you no rest even up to having to reupload this so many times. You're a trooper, shawna. Awesome job on the film

[@J_Isak]

This Behind The Scenes is like a documentary it's edited really nicely so awesome!

[@SignalsOverTheAir]

Excellent making of featurette, I liked that you decided to share with us the behind the scenes of your short film as I love watching "the making of" documentaries. .I'm glad that this whole experience was a good one for you and that from here on out, the next projects will be even better.

[@Navarro94]

I've never actually considered how much work was needed to make a film. You did an amazing job with the writing, directing and with all the stuff you did to make this happen. although I'm just a fan I love your work.

[@playingarts]

I'm absolutely in love with Mara & Chen - the action, the humor, the look - just fantastic! And I love Making-Of's, I'm always amazed how many people are involved in such a project and how well they work together. I'm really looking forward to your next projects. :) Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@devinelee50]

I have to tell you this film was fantastic. I am an avid watcher of short films and this ranks right up there at the top. The dialog was good, the story was easy to follow, the action was quick, and it was easy to understand the plot. That is kind of rare with short films. Good Job. I hope to see more installments of Mara and Chen...

[@thatveronicagirl]

This is only the beginning for you! So talented

[@augustwogsland3309]

This is great. I'm so glad you were finally able to release Mara & Chen. It was so good, and I can't wait to see more film stuff from you!

[@Teigrgwyn]

3:10 she threw the glasses at the camera man! 5:27 that fall is professionally on-par

[@OlanRogers]

Love this!

[@shawna]

thanks, dawg.

[@EvanYTMusic]

This was so interesting to watch, really cool that you took the time to make a making of !! :D Also damn I still can't believe you kept him in the trunk for that whole scene ! XD

[@shawna]

hahahaha

[@cinemoni]

Congrats Shawna, this was really amazing! can't wait for your next project!

[@thebpphantom]

This was great. I loved seeing and hearing about the work and skill that went into the absolute joy that is Mara & Chen.

[@MegaElzbelz]

I'm so happy for you for the way the film turned out and seeing this just shows how much you cared about the project, well done!! :DD

[@WeissM89]

That was a excellent job. The action scenes were really enjoyable and well filmed. It was really nice to see that you didn't fall into the mindless shaky cam trend that nowadays dominates action movies, and that you can see the actors perform their stunts. Thanks for sharing it!

[@MelanieAnneAhern]

"Stop swearing in that line!" 😂 that was my favorite part, so I commented it again :D

[@shawna]

+Melanie Anne Ahern lolol

[@Hysleriia]

It's amazing to see how much you have grown as a creator. I've always been impressed by your work, but this is next level. Can't wait to see what you do next! If you're making it, I'm watching it!

[@shawna]

+Jessica Locke thank you, Jessica!

[@EMK2017]

This is so awesome, I'm so glad you're doing the things that you love!

[@Rise876]

This is awesome, Shawna; so professional. Well done!

[@PatrickCahoon]

This was really great to watch. Super inspiring too! Can't wait to see your future projects

[@RaymondGarrettvideos]

I love this! It's always amazing to see the way other filmmakers shoot and plan things. It's inspiring!

[@shawna]

Thank you, Raymond!

[@Naltddesha]

This movie looks great Shawna, congrats on getting your first really big project completed. can't wait to see it!

[@shawna]

Thank you! The link to the film is in the description :D

[@alarapho136]

I loved the film. This behind the scenes makes me appreciate the scope of project that was to bring this to screen. I eagerly await the next film. Somebody please fund Shawna's next project.

[@hannahgoodbrand4677]

This is awesome, I love how much content is in the making of. It was a great short film!

[@rj_hooks]

I was so excited to see Gak! I haven't seen him in forever!

[@Nononanette1]

I'm so happy to finally see you deliver this project that you've been working on for forever! ...I never really got the "Fat guy" joke, though. Went over my head.

[@rebeccabarton5038]

So happy and proud of you!

[@finnwrage9264]

It's so great to get a little bit of insight into the process of filmmaking and how much work, blood and sweat it costs. Now I appreciate your videos even more!!! I'm a huge Fan and I hope that everything works out for you :-)

[@Tony_AM009]

This was a really, well-made short film. Everybody did a fantastic job. Also, the outfit of Shawna's character reminded me of Black Widow.

[@MirorR3fl3ction]

Really liked the film! Glad the production went well, looking forward to whatever you make next :)

[@gloomhavenmusic]

I started watching Orphan Black the other day, and Tatiana Maslany reminded me of you so much! Haven't watched your videos for so long omg

[@prodbyaerie]

I love watching behind the scenes and I loved this one! It looked like such a fun crew

[@RockBadgerChristianity]

I am amazed at how much went into this project

[@TruthSeeker115]

Absolutely amazing, so proud for you!!!!!!

[@deepthinkerpoet]

Super happy for you!

[@TheFlamingIcicle]

I love the BTS footage and getting to see your thoughts and processes. Makes me wanna go film with my team more.

[@roylindsey7030]

Excellent work to you and everyone involved!

[@103jonathans]

Wow! You guys have gone big time now! I look forward to seeing you celebrities in the next movie. Cheers.

[@75krikkie]

you should be on the big screen ... so much talent and ambition ...its amazing ... keep it up please

[@su_v15]

I loved it! Also because the short film is awesome! :D Congrats!

[@dtjaprototype1089]

just wow what awesome crew (team) you got you guys most have had a lot of fun making it it turn out realy realy cool

[@lizzygracekramer]

Love watching the behind the scenes!!!

[@ElDiegoLapiz]

1) congratulations! i really like it 2) i learned a lot watching this, so thank you for sharing your experience :)

[@paulmayer7376]

Are you still here I..you fixed my life six years ago you helped me thank you xo

[@yuranival]

Loooooved the film! Love this behind the scene sooo much as well :p

[@Phinnieful]

You have such an awesome talent, dear. I hope to see more of your little shorts soon :]!

[@Aimeosaurus]

New most favourite short film. Shawna my goodness I am so proud of you. I don't know if that will mean much to you but you have done and created such an amazing piece of work and art. It is so good to hear you're happy with the end result it looks amazing and your acting and performance worked so well. I really loved it and being a film maker myself, I love to see this behind the scenes work. It's something I'm so familiar with working woth and it gives me courage to work hard.

[@shawna]

thank you

[@Aimeosaurus]

[@Evershear]

Well, I am really impressed. I enjoyed that very much. Thank you for all your work and talent. May God Bless you as you continue your journey.

[@ELCNUmorFnaMehT]

Thank you, Nana

[@claremarie2652]

Ah-ha! The hostages name is Chuck! He's still my favorite. This video is great - its so much fun to see how the film came together, and I love the advice you gave about filmmaking.

[@shawna]

Thank you, Clare!

[@TheRainydayvideo]

Such a good comment about control ! :)

[@katiem.6135]

I loved this short film. Keep up the good work!

[@shawna]

thank you, Katie!

[@katiem.6135]

You're welcome. :)

[@klesto92]

Ah so it's working now, I'll watch it again later so it counts in this upload :D

[@lithafox]

So good- need a sequel.

[@shawna]

Thanks!

[@hkreinke]

Haha the one time I tried to smoke was a failure I started coughing really bad. Nice video, always fun to know what happens behind the scenes.

[@FamilienAwesome]

Yes i love when you make these Making of/BTS !! :D Good job Shawna!

[@shawna]

Thank you, Anna!

[@edgarantoniohuerta1568]

You have come a long way since Sail its crazy

[@GHOSTUSER00]

I clicked the thumbnail because she's adorably pretty! I'll check out the vid /:

[@tk4225m]

You did a good job, congrats!

[@MonsterXt53]

Good Job Shawna, keep going like this :)

[@shawna]

I'm trying, but it's very, very expensive. One project like this equates to one full year's salary for a full time worker.

[@jcrocker12]

Gosh, literal goals

[@nissstuff8077]

Hey ! I've just discovered your channel . I love it ! You're so talented

[@avader5]

Three times a charm!

[@jimmbboe]

Nicely done!

[@HiItsJonny]

Great BTS! That's really good advice that learning is doing. I totally agree! I thought having a large crew on set was going to be tough. Especially just like you, working with new people. Unfortunately for me, I took extra time to train others. Do you think there will ever be a deleted scenes/ bloopers reel? :3 Looking forward to seeing what's next in store from you! Best!

[@AmbiguousProxy]

Is it just me or do Shawna and Jung Lee have the most epic chemistry?

[@Enchantermon]

Cool stuff; thanks for sharing! Sounds like you're pretty gracious when it comes to having to trim your script; I feel like I would have too much pride to do it (so it's probably good that I'm not a writer, lol). Also, that is a legit selection of commentaries. O_O Is that your personal library?

[@samotronta05]

Hey Shawna, I'm really liking the final result. When you announced your first short film, I was expecting the usual subpar production you get from a lot of first short films. But I have to say Mara & Chan is a pleasant surprise. There a still a lot of small things i could nitpick on, however these are tiny droplets in an ocean of magnificence. Especially the music has made this short for me. Really the only larger point I have to criticize would be "trimming the fat". I think taking out a bit of pace between some of the scenes might have been favorable. From my own experience however I totally understand that the budget and logistics of such a project more often than not have a large impact on the final result. Speaking of budget, my educated guess would be that this was a production somewehere around the 35k eur / 50k cad mark. You said you overstep the budget quite a bit, can you give me an estimate on how large the original budget was? Or is that a number you rather keep to yourself? ;)

[@likejohnnyandjune2024]

this is awesome

[@BenjaminAskew]

Shawna, will you be making an appearance at SITC this year?

[@MamaDespik]

I see you took out the double "continue" that was at the beginning of the other two!

[@shawna]

yeah! It was a system glitch.

[@ScrappyXFL]

LOL 15 people laughing at you? What? No. People wouldn't laugh. :D Thanks for bringing us along.

[@slab8D]

How can we donate to make more of your projects come true? :D

[@shawna]

+Inmer Duran thank you, that's so kind! I may run a fundraising thing in the future but I don't have one going on right now. Maybe a Patreon thing in the future. The issue is they're a lot of additional work as well so I've gotta have the drive / time to make one of those campaigns work.

[@slab8D]

Oh. well you have my support! :D I love to see people bring good, grate, amazing!!!! things to this world :)

[@SpikeTiger]

lol its like... "I kept coming back and they didn't kick me out so......"

[@tilted9134]

You've got me addicted to coke... :)

[@ronnie47433]

hey, you're great at making videos, what software do you use for editing

[@shawna]

+Ronald eads Adobe premiere!

[@NeedChocyMilk]

lookin mighty fine with that red hair

[@Chikorita2Chante]

I really love bts'. (Behind the scenes stuff, not the band, although they're good too)

[@HeyCarlaRawr]

Where can we download the music of this short film?

[@shawna]

Youll have to ask Tessa and Rusty!

[@0NodMan0]

*_Hey Red, looked like fun to make however why no cursing? What's the damn problem? :P_*

[@MCwYoussef]

very nice

[@necromancien01]

TY

[@jonathanpaventi4899]

Did you film the "Making of" in your dad's office?

[@klb161]

when us part 2 coming out?

[@99doregan]

Yaaaaay

[@covertge]

life is good now....

[@shawna]

it's okay.

[@wingedshoes7]

So were you actually smoking? Or is there such a thing as film cigarettes where you're not actually smoking?

[@shawna]

There are film ones. We used both.

[@wingedshoes7]

Neato burrito!

[@dragonic13]

What was your favorite aspect of this whole project?

[@shawna]

Feeling the flow of the set and how well everyone worked together and what a joy it was to just... work.

[@dragonic13]

That sounds great! I've only done a few very short videos with some friends, so I don't quite have experience with anything quite like that.

[@cptncatholi]

Blooper reel? :)

[@ScrappyXFL]

That's hard to do when you don't make mistakes. ;-)

[@cptncatholi]

+XGC Scrappy True, that! :)

[@Rozenrot]

Cool :D

[@shawna]

[@supershadow22335]

hey they got master cheifs hotel room #117

[@ArtFr0g0]

[@dakiman754]

You look like this actor hmmm......

[@Paulnikon]

The smoking turned me off. So I didn't watch passed that at the beginning of the short film.