Unmasking the Making of ‘Social AnnXiety’
Do you get anxious in social situations? Well now! We have a movie you can defiantly relate to. “Social AnnXiety” captures the essence of navigating social interactions post-pandemic. The story originates from the deeply personal experiences of the writer, Natalie, who has grappled with varying levels of social anxiety throughout her life.
As the world tentatively emerged from pandemic restrictions, the concept of returning to normal social interactions proved overwhelming for many. Natalie and her team decided to explore the comedic aspects of the anxieties people face when stepping into social scenarios. The film delves into the humorous fixation on the trivial things that can dominate one’s mind in such situations.
The favorite part of production for the team was working alongside an exceptionally talented cast and crew, mostly composed of close friends who share a passion for their craft. However, the most challenging aspect turned out to be the bureaucratic hurdle of permitting. The need for permits to film specific car sequences led to a cascade of challenges involving insurance and city guidelines. In a lesson learned, sections of the script had to be rewritten to fit within the permitting budget, emphasizing the complexities of filming outside the familiar confines of Los Angeles.
Reflecting on the production process, the team expressed a desire to have spread the shoot over two days instead of the stress-inducing decision to film it all in one day. Nevertheless their advice to aspiring filmmakers is simple yet profound: just do it. Despite the hard work involved, the end result is deemed worth the effort. Flexibility and adaptability are key, as unforeseen challenges are inevitable in the unpredictable world of film production.
For those curious about future projects from the team, they can find a wealth of content on the Natalie and Tara YouTube Channel. The channel features not only their short films after festival runs but also sketch comedy and the ongoing series “Natalie and Tara Try Stuff,” now in its 8th season.
“Social AnnXiety” is an Official Selection at the Utah International Film Festival.
