{"id":55232,"date":"2020-05-27T20:20:16","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T02:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=55232"},"modified":"2020-05-28T10:09:48","modified_gmt":"2020-05-28T16:09:48","slug":"the-coronavirus-didnt-just-upend-broadway-it-put-indie-projects-in-limbo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/the-coronavirus-didnt-just-upend-broadway-it-put-indie-projects-in-limbo\/","title":{"rendered":"The coronavirus didn\u2019t just upend Broadway \u2014 it put indie projects in limbo"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By CURT SCHLEIER<\/p>\n<p>(JTA) \u2014 Emma Seligman is trying to stay optimistic.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_55233\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55233\" class=\"wp-image-55233 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"The release of Emma Seligman's indie film &quot;Shiva Baby&quot; was delayed because of the coronavirus. (Sharon Attia)\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55233\" class=\"wp-image-55233 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"The release of Emma Seligman's indie film &quot;Shiva Baby&quot; was delayed because of the coronavirus. (Sharon Attia)\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-emma-seligman-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-55233\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The release of Emma Seligman&#8217;s indie film &#8220;Shiva Baby&#8221; was delayed because of the coronavirus. (Sharon Attia)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the 25-year-old came extremely close to fulfilling every film student\u2019s fantasy: having her debut indie film played at coveted festivals and becoming an up-and-coming name to know in the industry.<\/p>\n<p>Her film \u201cShiva Baby\u201d involves both of the terms invoked in its title: a sugar baby \u2014 or a young girl who receives money or other material gifts from a wealthy older man in exchange for company, and often sex \u2014 who attends a shiva, or Jewish mourning get-together at the house of the family of the deceased. When protagonist Danielle goes to a family shiva gathering, she unexpectedly encounters her sugar daddy, along with his wife and new baby.<\/p>\n<p>Originally a short film and her NYU thesis, it was accepted in the South by Southwest short film program, where it received a sufficiently positive reaction to encourage Seligman to expand it to a feature.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are a lot of sugar babies at NYU, though it\u2019s somewhat secretive,\u201d she said on the phone from her parents\u2019 house in Toronto, where she has moved back to weather the virus quarantine. \u201cI wanted to make a film about them, but from the perspective of a Jewish family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last December, while she was working on a final edit of the film, South by Southwest gave Seligman a Chanukah gift: the news that \u201cShiva Baby\u201d was also accepted into the Austin-based fest\u2019s feature pool. It was a big deal for the first-time director because to find a distributor, independent filmmakers and their films need to be seen at festivals.<\/p>\n<p>But like everything else, South by Southwest was canceled, leaving the potential of Seligman\u2019s entire project at risk.<\/p>\n<p>Seligman isn\u2019t alone \u2014 the rest of the country\u2019s film festivals, full of works by up-and-coming artists craving their first mass exposure, have either been canceled, postponed or set up to screen online, without the same cachet as an in-person fest.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt didn\u2019t come as a complete surprise,\u201d she said about South by Southwest.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_55234\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55234\" class=\"wp-image-55234 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"A scene from &quot;Shiva Baby&quot; (Maria Rusche)\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby.jpg 950w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/214;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55234\" class=\"wp-image-55234 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"A scene from &quot;Shiva Baby&quot; (Maria Rusche)\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-shiva-baby.jpg 950w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-55234\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A scene from &#8220;Shiva Baby&#8221; (Maria Rusche)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>COVID-19 hasn\u2019t only been rough on indie artists. Established stars have also seen their expensive projects and gigs fall into limbo, as Broadway theaters, cinemas, and clubs and venues of all sizes have shut down.<\/p>\n<p>David Bryan (nee David Bryan Rashbaum) is the keyboardist for Bon Jovi, but he has also written musical scores for multiple plays. He won a Tony Award for his work on the hit Broadway show \u201cMemphis,\u201d and his newest musical, \u201cDiana,\u201d about British royal Princess Diana, was in previews, just weeks away from opening, when Broadway shut down on March 12.<\/p>\n<p>His bandmates had delayed releasing their new album and starting an international tour to accommodate Bryan\u2019s theater schedule. But now both the album release and tour have been postponed \u2014 moreover, Jon Bon Jovi announced that the band may never tour again.<\/p>\n<p>More bad news followed. On Friday, March 13, Bryan met with members of the play\u2019s creative team and continued to work on revisions. The next day he met with friends. On Sunday, he began experiencing flu-like symptoms, including headaches and a fever. He was tested and the following Saturday found out he had COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p>Bryan admitted he was frightened at first, but the infection didn\u2019t invade his lungs, and he didn\u2019t need to be hospitalized. A second test revealed he is now virus free.<\/p>\n<p>Broadway is set to be closed until at least January. But will \u201cDiana\u201d ever see the stage? Whenever Broadway reopens, will audiences follow? Will fans crowd stadiums and arenas if the band tours?<\/p>\n<p>Bryan, who once said his childhood rabbi \u201cmade me the person I am,\u201d won\u2019t hazard a prediction.<br \/>\n\u201cI can definitely tell you what happened yesterday, but tomorrow\u2019s a mystery,\u201d he said.<br \/>\nStill, Bryan claims to be the \u201cultimate optimist.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen science tells you it\u2019s OK to come back, we\u2019ll come back,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_55235\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55235\" class=\"wp-image-55235 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-1024x685.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/201;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-55235\" class=\"wp-image-55235 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/5-11-20-david-bryan-1024x685.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-55235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David Bryan performs with Bon Jovi at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., May 6, 2011. (Kevin Mazur\/WireImage\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Comic Gilbert Gottfried \u2014 who has appeared in dozens of films but is perhaps best known as the voice of the duck in the Aflac commercials \u2014 is ensconced with his family at his in-laws\u2019 home in the Berkshires (the in-laws are in Florida).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s funny to think that I\u2019ll look at my date book and see on this day we were supposed to be here, and then we were supposed to fly to this other state and do press for this club, and it\u2019s all crossed out,\u201d he said about his stand-up touring schedule. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of paranoia. Whenever I\u2019m outside and I get any kind of tickle in my throat or ache or pain in my body, I tell myself, \u2018Uh-oh, this is it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Surprisingly, though, Gottfried seems comparatively at ease with his situation. He still records his podcast (modestly titled \u201cGilbert Gottfried\u2019s Amazing Colossal Podcast\u201d) and offers personal greetings in his uniquely grating voice through cameo.com.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the first time in my life that anyone has called me level-headed. Pretty soon people will refer to me as rugged,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Back in Toronto, Seligman sounds hoarse over the phone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy older sister is here and we\u2019re at each other\u2019s throats,\u201d she said, \u201cbut it\u2019s all with love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ironically, some copies of \u201cShiva Baby\u201d had already been distributed to a few critics, some of whom published reviews that would have appeared had the festival run as scheduled. The Hollywood Reporter and Indiewire offered favorable critiques, among others, exactly the kind of response that likely would have netted Seligman some form of distribution.<\/p>\n<p>Now, obviously, she\u2019s \u201creally sad\u201d but can \u201csee some light.\u201d Seligman is searching for other venues where \u201cShiva Baby\u201d can find an audience \u2014 potentially online \u2014 from her childhood home.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight now, [moving back in with your parents] feels more socially acceptable. A lot of people have gone home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s strange. But I personally don\u2019t mind. I think it\u2019s kind of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-medium.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-medium.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"Tumblr\",\"Email\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"medium\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"The%20coronavirus%20didn%E2%80%99t%20just%20upend%20Broadway%20%E2%80%94%20it%20put%20indie%20projects%20in%20limbo\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":55233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[10693,8790,8795,8788],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55232"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55232"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55249,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55232\/revisions\/55249"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}