Chicago theatre makers produced a movie entirely on Zoom
“CONNECTION ERROR,” a movie made entirely via Zoom by two Chicago based theatre makers will be streaming on YouTube on Sept. 3.
The production explores the need for genuine human connection amid the sea of disconnects while trying to maneuver the current technological landscape. Through a series of vignettes, this play explores the interwoven relationships of five people and the ripple effect of their virtual interactions.
“By nature, as a theatre collaborator, I thrive when I’m in a small cramped room trying to figure out how we’re going to tell our next story. Not having that connection and that outlet left me feeling like I wasn’t myself,” Jenilee Houghton, the playwright of CONNECTION ERROR, said.
Houghton was also the co-founder of the production company Moving Bench Theatre. Its production of the normal shows had to be paused when the stay-at-home order was first announced in March.
But Houghton and the other co-founder, Chris Causer started to work on this project to ask the question, “In a time with the most progressive technological advances built to keep us connected, why are we left feeling more isolated than ever before?”
All rehearsals and the final recording were conducted over Zoom. The actors set up their cameras, gathered costume ideas, and found props that worked.
“We don’t even know what to call this project. Recorded Play? Virtual Blackbox Production? Play on Zoom?” said Houghton.
“Sometimes the connection would lag or I'd miss a note because of a delay or something, but that just added to the surreal nature of making the film,” Akanksha Cruczynski, one of the actors, said.
Making a film via Zoom is new and full of challenges, however, it can be rewarding and interesting as well.
Causer, who is also the director of “CONNECTION ERROR,” said, “Art is healing. When we end up leaving the rehearsal or filming for the day everyone feels lighter. Everyone is smiling, laughing.”
“I think the experiences of doing it over Zoom itself, the unique ways we'd have to start and end scenes, and the fact that we were able to work with actors without ever meeting them in person—all made this a really interesting, cool, unique experience,” said Cruczynski.
Causer even changed his directing style because of this experience. “Up until now I’ve never really concerned myself with how actors are feeling when they show up to rehearsal, or what type of day they have had... I encourage actors to vent their mental blocks now before we start rehearsals,” he said.
Not only the director but also the playwright rethinks their usual practices. “I purposely wrote in the glitches we all experience over Zoom meetings, Facetime and virtual encounters. Technology, and the challenges within it, really became a constant character throughout the entire play.”
Houghton said she has gained hope from this experience. “We might need to change our ways, but as long as we keep trying to come together to tell our stories, then theatre will remain alive and well.”
“CONNECTION ERROR” can be found on Moving Bench Theatre's YouTube page starting 7 p.m. (CST) Sept. 3.