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Please note that shoot dates are subject to state and county COVID-19 quarantine restrictions and may change. Refer to Call Sheet for the latest updates.
“Social Distance”
A new kind of series born during the “quarantine era” is looking to produce around the regulations established by the coronavirus pandemic. Animation projects are about the only ones that can keep a proper distance and continue production, but one new series is proving more can be done in this time of isolation. Netflix is going forward with “Social Distance,” a Jenji Kohan–produced series that was quickly conceived as a reaction to the current global health crisis. Focusing on the stories of those facing the effects of COVID-19, the deeply personal relationship drama aims to home in on the unprecedented experience of living through such a time of extreme change and uncertainty. The stories will come from individuals showcasing the bewildering and bizarre ways of their new normal. The nature of the series will allow it to move forward with production, despite much of Hollywood being subject to a currently indefinite hiatus. The series will be remotely shot and produced by Netflix, illustrating that in a creative industry, not all is lost when traditional methods of production are impossible. Jennifer Euston is casting the topical anthology that is set to shoot throughout the United States around June.
“Pachinko”
Streaming platforms are taking note of audiences’ blossoming interest in multilingual content. With films like “Parasite” winning big honors at various awards shows, it’s no surprise that those who make projects for the small screen are trying to piggyback on that success—and have done so with series like “Elite” and “Unorthodox.” Apple TV+ is still new on the streaming scene, but after notable success with properties like “The Morning Show” and new drama “Defending Jacob,” the platform is seeing growth in its original offerings, and looking to vary its programming with “Pachinko.” The eight-episode series will be based on the New York Times Best-Selling novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee. Following a Korean family through four generations of triumph and loss in an ever-isolated world, the series will track the relatives as they immigrate to various countries. To keep the experience authentic, the drama will use the characters’ native languages to tell the stories, creating a trilingual narrative that alternates among English, Korean, and Japanese. Betty Mae Inc. is set to cast the project, which is currently in preproduction. No actors have been cast yet, and the series is eyeing a Fall 2020 start date, like many other productions put on hold due to the pandemic. The project will utilize multiple international locations in Canada, Korea, and Japan.
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This story originally appeared in the May 21 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.