TV-Y7: Behind the Scenes
Nyles and Chris await the shopping cart scene.
Conception
TV-Y7 was the thesis film of writer/director Cason Suggs
“As I was approaching my graduation from Mizzou, so much was changing.” Suggs said, when asked about the conception of this project. “Internally, I was wrestling with what path I would follow post graduation, would I be what everyone has expected me to, or would I be true to me. This very thought became the premise of TV-Y7.”
On this page, you will get a little insight on all that went into the film TV-Y7.
3 Days, 12 Actors
The first TV-Y7 read through. (Feb. 2022)
Nyles and Chris [who play Dylan and Virgil respectively] were teammates with writer/director Cason Suggs on the University of Missouri Track & Field team. Suggs had seen their friendship in real life and taken note of their chemistry.
“I knew if I could just get them to be themselves on camera, that would be enough to make anybody’s movie great,” commented Suggs.
Getting Nyles and Chris on board was easy, the difficulty came with everyone else in the film.
Suggs would spend close to 2 months gathering up actors and friends to fill in the roles of high school students. His friends were so gracious and happily joined the cast.
Filming the “Camera Out of Film,” scene.
Production
The main camera used for the film was a Black Magic 6k Pocket Cinema Camera. Suggs and his Cinematographer Avery Walker agreed to shoot the film in 4:3 ratio to add to some key themes of nostalgia and the idea of being “boxed in,” to the film. This ended up having a lot of practical benefits because of how much space that gave them with boom mics and lighting, as well as giving the movie it’s overall unique look.
The movie was shot entirely in Columbia, Missouri; “The idea was to make Columbia feel like anywhere in the world. Dylan and Virgil could be two kids in your city.”
All of the high school scenes were shot in Mizzou’s Fine Arts Building. Chosen for it’s long hallways and lockers, the Fine Arts building helped give TV-Y7 the perfect high school feel.
Cason Suggs and Avery Walker prepping for the shopping cart scene.
Music
The film features 3 original songs, all written and arranged by Suggs.
“I was growing an interest in music organically around the same time I was writing this script.” Suggs said. “The intention was not to write the score, just to make some melodies I liked. One of them really struck me, and slowly but surely, it became the main theme for TV-Y7.”
Suggs claims that writing the score was a very rewarding experience, though he doesn’t know if he would do it again.
“It was great, but as a director you need to focus on directing. I thought the score worked very well with the movie, but I’ll leave the music to the professionals from now on.”
Actor Zach Charles, posing as we set up the lighting for his scenes.
Completion
Suggs edited the project and premiered it to his class, and then later his actors. Both audiences truly enjoyed the film, giving great reviews. After weeks of promotion on his instagram, Suggs finally released the the project to the public on July 9, 2022.
“TV-Y7 holds a very special place in my heart, and I don’t think that feeling will ever go away. I can truly say I love this movie and all the people that helped me make it.”
Poster designs from set designer Emilia Lee.
