Go Behind the Scenes: "SPARRING PARTNER"

Go behind the scenes of Sparring Partner, a short film directed by J.J. Kandel and written by Neil LaBute.

In 2018, Neil LaBute's play Sparring Partner premiered in the twelfth season of SUMMER SHORTS at 59E59 Theaters. STAGE TO SCREEN NYC gave it a life beyond the stage in October 2019, filming on location in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. The film stars Cecily Strong and KeiLyn Durrel Jones. 

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REHEARSAL DAY
REHEARSAL DAY

L-R: Cecily Strong and KeiLyn Durrel Jones rehearse at the location in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

LOOKING FOR PLAN B
LOOKING FOR PLAN B

L-R: J.J. Kandel, Brian Kamerzel, and John Gabriele battle with mother nature.

SETTING UP THE SHOT
SETTING UP THE SHOT

L-R: Wil Vatkin, Charlotte Dupré, Cecily Strong, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and Ashley Hiatt work through a rehearsal for camera.

TAKE 2
TAKE 2

L-R: Charlotte Dupré, Cecily Strong, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and Tom Sochan reset for take 2.

ON THE MONITOR
ON THE MONITOR

L-R: Cecily Strong and KeiLyn Durrel Jones at work on the monitor.

HURRY UP, AND WAIT...
HURRY UP, AND WAIT...

L-R: Cecily Strong and KeiLyn Durrel Jones hold for one of many airplanes.

WATCHING THE MONITOR
WATCHING THE MONITOR

L-R: Brian Kamerzel, J.J. Kandel, Jenna Lazar, and Jake Robinson watch the script come to life.

DID ANYONE CHECK THE FORECAST?
DID ANYONE CHECK THE FORECAST?

L-R: Cecily Strong, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and J.J. Kandel hold for light rain.

WAITING ON THE RAIN
WAITING ON THE RAIN

L-R: KeiLyn Durrel Jones and Cecily Strong waiting out the rain.

TRACKING THE STORM
TRACKING THE STORM

L-R: Tim Harms, J.J. Kandel, Charlotte Dupré, Brittany Peterson, and Brian Kamerzel watch the storm radar/take a break.

THAT'S A WRAP!
THAT'S A WRAP!

18 pages in 10 hours, no problem! L-R: Cecily Strong, director J.J. Kandel, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones enjoy the moment.

CAST AND CREW
CAST AND CREW

B-F, L-R: Brian Kamerzel, Kevin Kniowski, Cody Joel, R. Ralph Farella, Alex Maysonet, Jonny Tejeda, Jenna Lazar, Claribel Tejeda, Ashley Hiatt, Charlotte Dupré, Tim Harms, Dylan Gross, Jake Robinson, Austin Ramsey, Wil Vatkin, Tom Sochan, Tyler DeLeo, Amy Sutton, Brittany Peterson, Cecily Strong, J.J. Kandel, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and John Gabriele.

Photos, Behind The ScenesStage To Screen NYCProspect ParkSparring Partner, Neil LaBute, Cecily Strong, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Stage2ScreenNYC