Filming a sequel presents a unique set of challenges: you have to honor the aesthetic of the original while expanding the world enough to justify a second chapter. Doing so while battling the Egyptian summer sun and navigating active archeological digs is a different beast entirely.For director Stephen Shimek, the production of Murder at the Embassy—the second installment in the Miranda Green Mysteries series starring Mischa Barton—was a masterclass in adaptability.In this interview, Shimek discusses the realities of on-location shooting, how to handle the pressure of a period piece, and his desire to move into the "cerebral horror" space.Check out the interview below. - YouTube www.youtube.com No Film School: Hi Stephen! Because Murder at the Embassy is the second film in the Miranda Green Mysteries series, how did you balance your desire to evolve the franchise with the need to stay true to its established aesthetics and themes?Stephen Shimek: I’m very fortunate in that regard because I really feel that those two ideas go hand in hand for us. The themes we establish in Invitation to a Murder revolve around Miranda’s world expanding as she embarks on this mysterious adventure that pushes her personal growth and puts her capabilities as a detective to the test. Murder at the Embassy is the second chapter in Miranda’s journey, and her world continues to expand, as do the consequences of her discoveries and scope of the story. The evolution came quite naturally, I think, and I remember having an experience on the very...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday