Sarah Donnelly - The Only American in Paris - 2024

Format: Comedy Special

Role: Co-Director, Editor

Duration: 60 minutes

Tools Used: Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro

Director: Jonathan Duffy (technical direction), Sarah Donnelly (performance direction)

Production Company: Chaud Heaux Productions

Broadcaster / Platform: YouTube, Social Media, Live Traffic for Booking/Promotion

Project Overview:
This comedy special was produced independently by Sarah Donnelly, marking her first professionally filmed solo hour. She brought me on as co-director and editor — with Sarah directing her performance and overall creative voice, while I directed the technical execution of the shoot. The special captures the intimacy, rhythm, and high energy of her live work in a small underground comedy cellar. Shot across two back-to-back performances to maximise coverage and choice, it serves as a polished record of the end of a major touring cycle.

Recognition:

The special provided Sarah with a large bank of high-quality social media material, enabling her to grow her online presence and secure additional stand-up bookings. It also serves as her first professionally recorded hour — a key asset for international opportunities and future show development.

My Contribution:

  • Co-directed the production: Sarah directed her performance; I directed the technical shoot.

  • Managed and directed the full crew: DP, venue/production manager, lighting & sound technician, three camera operators, and a production assistant.

  • Designed a dual-show shooting strategy to maximise coverage within strict budget and rental constraints.

  • Oversaw all on-site logistics, fast data transfers, and tight resets between shows with only an hour turnaround.

  • Acted as script supervisor and continuity lead while coordinating the entire technical workflow.

  • Edited the full multicam project, including pacing, comedic timing, and angle selection.

  • Completed colour grading, English subtitles, end credits, and integrated the motion-designed opening titles.

  • Performed initial audio cleanup in Logic Pro before final professional sound mixing.

Creative / Technical Notes:

  • Venue was extremely small and built of stone, requiring both creative mic placement and significant post-production enhancement for audience response.

  • Recorded during one of the hottest nights of the year (38°C) in a packed underground cellar; arranged for portable cooling and equipment protection between shows.

  • Three-camera setup used to achieve a polished comedy special aesthetic despite space limitations.

  • Improvised lighting and camera placement solutions to work around the unusual architecture.

  • Tight schedule required immediate offloading, organisation, and multicam prep on location.

Full Version