Routine, 4min., USA
Directed by Russ Emanuel
During a mysterious pandemic, Cassie’s quarantine life has turned into a routine, day in and day out. Nothing new seems to happen, until she realizes she’s out of coffee. And she’s determined to get her cup of joe, even if she must face the horrors of the outside world. Because “she’d kill for a cup of coffee.”

https://www.instagram.com/russem31/

Get to know filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

a. My late filmmaking partner Emile Haris (who passed away in 2023) and I decided to make this film during the beginnings of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Even though everything was shut down, we didn't want that to stop us from making something so we hired a non-SAG actress named Paige Laree Poucel to play Cassie and Haris and I became a 2-man team and filmed at my condo over one shoot day. And for the exterior third act, we hired DC/Marvel Comics artist Dave Beaty to draw it in animated form.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

a. We began formulating the idea on March 9, 2020, filmed on April 24 and completed the film on June 29. Because of the success of this film, we were able to make a feature sequel film called "Staycation" (which just got distribution as "Apocalypse Death Party" through DeskPop Entertainment, a subsidiary of Twin Engines Global, and will be released on October 31, 2025 for DVD and streaming).

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

a. Zombie Pandemic

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

a. It was definitely the Covid-19 Pandemic which had shut down everything from local shops to the SAG-Aftra Union.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

a. Immense gratitude.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

a. Ever since I was a little kid and fell in love with film music, especially those of composer John Williams.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

a. The Empire Strikes Back.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

a. What you are doing by publicizing my works really helps me to get the word out there for my previous films including my 6 feature films I've had the privilege of directing and for future feature films I'm currently planning, including the sequel to "Staycation".

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

a. I love FilmFreeway.

10. What is your favorite meal?

a. Ice cream.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

a. The aforementioned "Staycation 2" (aka "Apocalypse Death Party 2"). You can see all my past/present/future film projects at my production website www.russem.com.