Michael Bay Plans to Produce Pandemic-Inspired Thriller; Will Be the First To Shoot A Film Since Mid-March

Filmmaker Michael Bay is expected to be the first to begin shooting for a movie after all production was shut down in Mid-March, amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to reports, Bay will be partnering with Adam Goodman’s Invisible Narratives to produce the movie Songbird, a pandemic-inspired film. It will be directed by Adam Mason.

According to an exclusive by Deadline, as a low-budget film, Songbird will be available for sale at the Virtual Cannes Market by ICM Partners (which along with 3 Arts reps Mason) and Endeavor Content (WME reps Bay).

The film is expected to be similar to horror movies Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield. Its plot is slated to take place two years in the future, with the pandemic still plaguing the world. While lockdown restrictions have been relaxed then reinstated, the virus continues to infect people. Viewers can expect to see government conspiracies, how the virus impacts the cast and paranoia.

During a time where many production companies have decided to push back the return of filming movies because of America’s current pandemic, a new approach is being taken for Songbird.

As a safety precaution, remote training will be provided for all actors. Movie scenes will only be filmed after the entire crew has arrived to prepare the shots. Social distancing rules are expected to be carefully followed. When scenes are being shot, the actors will never be in the same room together, preventing them from coming to face-to-face during filming.

Because of their precise planning to follow California’s guidelines on social distancing, Songbird has been given the green light to shoot. While it is not clear on how production will be able to shoot Songbird in the way its described, shooting is expected to begin in the coming weeks. Casting is also currently underway.