The cast and crew of Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet created a special quarantine episode of the Apple TV+ comedy. The actors had to film themselves, and collaborated via AirPods.
Rob McElhenney who co-created and stars in the show, along with co-creator Megan Ganz, gave an interview about the convoluted process to Hollywood Reporter.
McElhenney dreamed up the idea for Mythic Quest: Quarantine just three weeks ago. Production of almost all Apple TV+ shows is shut down because of the COVID-19 epidemic, which is why the cast had to handle their own makeup, sound and lighting.
Why Mythic Quest: Quarantine took 40 iPhones
The actors also had to film themselves with an iPhone. Each phone was set up with the screen facing a webcam and the camera pointed toward the actor. That way, the director and cinematographer could use Zoom to see what was being recorded in real time.
After each scene, the iPhone would be cleaned and sent off via courier to have the video copied off. But each actor had three phones so they could keep working.
Apple TV+ describes the episode “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet — Quarantine” by saying “As the MQ staff works from home, Poppy struggles with solitude while Brad and David start a charitable competition.” Watch the trailer now:
iPhone is saving TV
A very similar process is being used to film Keeping Up With The Kardashians from quarantine, according to Elle. The show is also being captured on a revolving series of iPhones.
And in April, ABC resumed production of American Idol with the contestants filming themselves with iPhones.
