Permission
2017
(Narrative)
Permission
(About Film)
We shot Permission in Brooklyn, New York over the course of twenty-two days in the winter of 2016. Writer-director Brian Crano and I had worked together on his short film Dog Food, which we shot in 2013. That collaboration taught us a lot, and we were eager to bring those lessons into the feature.
With only a few weeks for prep, we knew we had to make the most of it. We spent the first few days gathered around Brian's dining room table, breaking down each of the film’s three acts. At his insistence, we weren’t allowed to talk about anything technical or practical—no shots, lenses, or logistics. It was purely about story and character motivation.
When time is tight, it’s easy for the practical concerns to take over while the creative conversations take a backseat. Brian was intentional about carving out space for those essential early discussions. That approach gave us a solid narrative foundation that carried through prep and into production. It’s a process that’s stuck with me ever since.
Mood Reel
(Description)
Permission is a feature-length drama written and directed by Brian Crano. The film stars Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens as a long-term couple who decide to open their relationship before settling down. As they each explore new connections, their bond is tested in unexpected ways. The ensemble cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Gina Gershon, Bridget Everett, François Arnaud, Morgan Spector, and David Joseph Craig. Permission premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017.
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