COVID DEATH THE MOVIE
HORROR-DRAMA FEATURE FILM
After the emergence of Covid-19, the global situation became critical. The virus mutated and wreaked havoc on human cells, causing the dead to rise again. Amidst this chaos, a reformed coalition emerged, promising aid to survivors in exchange for the allegiance of their leader: The Augur. Among the survivors is James Smith, a former soldier, pursued by these dangerous individuals who want to prevent him from reaching the next refugee camp. Meanwhile, a mysterious soldier is searching for someone.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Duration: 1 hour 42 minutes
Country: France
Language: French
Budget: €6,500
Release year: 2020
Production company: Swanson Films Prod (formerly Kyle's Prod)
Directed by : Logan Swanson & Cameron MCRF
Executive Producers: Logan Swanson, Nathan Guérin &
Cédric Compper
Produced by: Swanson Films Prod (formerly Kyle's Prod)
Assistant Director: Nathan Guérin
Sound recording: Jonathan MG & Stéphane Guegan
Makeup: Tina Masson, Kiara Lou-Châtelet & Lydie Tournier
CHARACTERS
GALLERIES
Pendant le tournage de la scène du lac...
Séance shooting improvisée dans le lac !
Sarah Marquez (Diane Berger) n'est toujours pas satisfaite du plan
Pendant le tournage de la scène du lac...
BEHIND-THE-SCENES ANECDOTES
Originally, Covid Death was not conceived as a feature film.
The project was intended to take the form of a web series consisting of 12 episodes.
However, numerous organizational problems and several team members dropping out forced production to halt filming after the sixth episode. To avoid leaving the project unfinished, the team decided to transform the footage into a standalone feature film. In fact, the project was originally going to be called The Raging Dead.
The character of James Smith did not exist in the original version of the script.
Initially, Kyle Smith was intended to be the main character in the story. However, as filming progressed, Logan Swanson had to take over the project's direction, manage unforeseen circumstances, and assume the role of director. This reorganization significantly altered the script and led to the introduction of new characters.
Cédric Compper, a decisive supporter
Among those who helped save the project, Cédric Compper holds a special place. His involvement and support during production allowed filming to continue despite the difficulties encountered. Today, he is better known on social media under the pseudonym "Sombre Pêche" (Dark Peach).
A completely improvised stunt
The bridge scene became one of the film's most memorable sequences. Yet, it wasn't in the script. Actor and model Jimmy Elion took the initiative to perform a jump himself to add more intensity to the scene. No stuntmen were on set, and the sequence was entirely improvised.
A personal tribute
During filming, the grandfather of one of the actresses passed away. She had to travel several hours to attend the funeral. After much deliberation, she chose to stay until the end of her involvement in the project, considering that finishing her work on the film was a way to honor his memory. This decision deeply affected the director and the crew.
Logan Swanson's beginnings
Covid Death represents the first feature film directed by Logan Swanson (formerly Lorenzo Kyle).
At the time, he still had very little experience in managing a production of this scale and had not yet mastered certain fundamental concepts of cinema, such as technical shot breakdown.
Two film shoots more than a year apart
The first part of the project was filmed during the summer of 2019. Due to numerous problems and budget constraints, the team was never able to produce all twelve episodes initially planned. To create a more cohesive final cut, Logan Swanson wrote new scenes focusing on Kyle Smith, which were filmed over a year later, in November 2020.
The worst and the best film shoot at the same time
For several members of the team, Covid Death remains both the best and worst filming experience they've ever had. The challenges were numerous, but the human experience was exceptional. Participants sometimes came from very far away and met in the Troyes region to live this adventure. Between the fits of laughter, the arguments, the unexpected events, and the makeshift solutions devised on the spot, the memories are etched in their minds.
Logan Swanson often sums up this experience humorously:
"We should have installed cameras all over the house. We probably could have done a reality TV show and become more famous because of it than because of the filming itself. (laughs)"