DGC Ontario Picture Editor Maureen Grant recently worked on the new drag queen comedy murder mystery Queens for CBC Gem, available to stream Friday. We caught up with Maureen to discuss the series and how she is handling the shutdown.
How are you doing during this crisis?
For an editor who usually works at home, life hasn’t changed too much — and that speaks to how fortunate I am.
How did you get involved with Queens?
I was introduced to Caitlin Brown, the producer of Queens, at a TIFF party. Caitlin was looking for queer creatives to work on the series, and I just adored the project (which was created by Justin Gray, aka drag queen Fisher Price). Coincidentally, I had also just signed on to work with Director Pat Mills on his upcoming feature The Retreat, and we were able to edit both projects together. Two very different projects, and we had a blast cutting away through the cold months.
Can you speak more on your experience editing the web series?
Queens is both a comedy and a whodunnit, so it’s unique territory. Each episode follows a different queen on the day of the Miss Church Street pageant, and so the tone also shifts for each character. There was so much freedom in the creative process, so that was glamorous in itself.
What is the best/most helpful advice you’ve received or given for enduring these trying times?
Embrace the slow life. It’s an opportunity to think about ourselves — as people and creatives — outside of the context of work.
What are you watching/reading/listening to stay positive these days?
I’ve been using the time to catch up on films I haven’t seen yet — especially films by BIPOC creatives. I recently watched I Am Not A Witch by Rungano Nyoni, and Black Girl by Ousmane Sembène — which is stunning and powerful.
My reading list has included In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, and Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline.
Nancy, This is Love, and Modern Love are three podcasts making me happy right now, and Fiona Apple’s new album Fetch the Bolt Cutters is the perfect Covid-19 listen to appreciate powerful personal storytelling.
