I had actually started the casting process for a different short film I’ve written called, Speak To It. I was trying to set up the first table read and two of the actors were kind of slow to respond. While waiting, patience turned to impatience. I had this kernel of an idea for Like, Comment, and Share (LCS) but I didn’t have any intention to begin writing it at this time. But, needing to do something with my impatient energy, I cranked out a first draft. And I liked it. And it was shorter than Speak To It, which would save me money in shooting it and is something that would make it more appealing to festivals. So, I pivoted and halted efforts for Speak To It and turned my full attention to LCS.
Oftentimes we hear about actors diving into their roles to embody the character and the lingering effects it can sometimes have; Heath Ledger comes to mind when he played The Joker in Batman. We don’t hear as much about that process for writers. As an actor, writer, director and social worker I am keen observer of human behavior. Actions, reactions, words spoken and unspoken. Yes, of others, but also myself. With LCS I dove into these observations about how people respond and do not respond on social media, and the potential effect it can have on someone. A dark comedic cautionary tale about a person too entangled in social media was the result of my deep dive.
I wrote this short not as Jeff, but as my character, Sam. Sam wrote it, directed it and played himself. As a social worker I facilitate mental health groups. One of the concepts we talk about is reframing negative thoughts. As an artist, I can use that process in reverse and reframe thoughts to make them darker, more paranoid and since this a comedy, more sarcastic and humorous! It is a liberating process.
I was so fortunate to put the team together that I did. Actors and crew were awesome! No weak links. There were definitely bumps in the road and challenges to overcome. I had a lead actor drop out a week before and I was so very close to canceling the project, a story for another day. In the end it all came together. It leaves me feeling grateful and content.
Jeff Schubert 