‘On the Run’ crew discuss careers, professional collaboration, beginnings at Chapman

 Pictured: Traci Hays; Photo by Jackie Rangel

In college, collaboration is essential. Whether it’s working together on a class project, utilizing your co-workers to complete an assignment for an on-campus job, or, in the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts’ case, working on a film set, it is imperative that you work together with your peers every step of the way.

I’ll stop here at the risk of sounding like a paid Chapman PSA, but in the case of Chapman alums Traci Hays, Sarah Eisenberg and Becky Wangberg, collaboration was an essential component in their college and professional journeys. For Eisenberg and Wangberg, who form the writing duo “The Bergs,” their collaboration began on move-in day, helping each other move into South Morlan. 

On Aug. 29, The Panther sat down with the three creatives to discuss their careers, their beginnings at Chapman and their collective work on “On the Run,” Hays’ feature that The Bergs wrote. 

These three creatives began working together on film projects at Chapman — Wangberg had Eisenberg act in her short films, and Hays’ directorial work in college came from scripts by Wangberg. Their college collaboration would eventually carry over into their professional lives. When Hays was looking for thriller scripts to develop into her fourth feature film project — eventually named “On the Run” — she asked The Bergs for loglines. Eisenberg was inspired by the novel “The Last Thing He Told Me,” and Hays pitched the project with The Bergs after the duo developed more concept material. 

“Obviously, for me, it’s like, ‘collaboration is key’ and the best idea should be what we’re going after,” Hays told The Panther. “That could come from the production assistant or it could come from an executive producer.” 

Embarking on their career paths post-college, the three always were aware of each other and their work. Hays moved from production design projects into feature film production. The Bergs, who worked together in animation spheres, won an Emmy for their work on “Muppet Babies.” To Hays, just like in college, constant collaboration and connectivity are necessary in the film industry.

“A lot of people that I work with, not just on this film, but just in general over the years, it’s like we’ve stayed in contact, we find things to work on, we rise together,” she said. “This is not a one-person show, this is a multi-faceted, complex industry that requires so many people to come together to make something possible.” 

“On the Run” follows two sisters, Paige (Taylor Geare) and Kayla (Sofia Masson), who find themselves on the run after the leader of a biker gang attacks their family, unearthing a secret to the sisters about their family’s life they never knew before. To portray the sister’s town, the creatives shot the film in Tucumcari, New Mexico, but it wasn’t just the three alumni and their crew who helped on set. The talents of the locals of Tucumcari also stepped in in various extras roles. 

The film employs multiple filmmaking techniques and subjects that any Dodge student probably has multiple Google Docs filled with notes about — avoidance of exposition, show-don’t-tell and creating atmosphere all shined through during my viewing. Regarding advice for filmmakers, Hays offered notes about maximizing time on whatever-scale production you’re entering into.

“If you’re in film school and you’re just learning, the sky’s the limit,” Hays told The Panther. “Have the most fun, best place to feel safe, make mistakes, try things, push yourself and as you’re growing in your career, it’s also knowing what you’re writing to. We’re not making a $15 million film with all these extras and locations and a 30, 40-day shoot.”

Pictured (left to right): Becky Wangberg, Traci Hays, and Sarah Eisenberg; Photo Courtesy of Traci Hays

She continued: “Becky and Sarah had three weeks to write the script. I had a week in pre-production in New Mexico. We had 14 days to shoot an 83-page script… What I love about Chapman is that they’re really production-focused so that you understand the more productions you’re on, the more you’re learning, the more you’re hands on about combining locations, not doing a lot of company moves, making sure you can really maximize your time when you have such limited shooting days.”

Throughout their sit-down with The Panther, the three offered loads of advice on aspects of filmmaking and the industry: take advantage of your time as student filmmakers, every experience is a learning opportunity and trusting your gut were just a few of the points mentioned. In complement to Hays’ advice about working on set, Wangberg offered advice about working on the page. 

“I would say from (a) writing standpoint, just really focusing on character and coming at it from character. This is something that even Sarah and I are guilty of sometimes, we’ll get caught up in the story and the plot,” Wangberg said, “but really centering back to, ‘Okay, but what would these characters actually do in this situation?’ can sometimes completely change your trajectory. I think just keeping that in mind every step of the way keeps you from writing yourself into a corner.”

Eisenberg additionally offered some writing advice that all film majors have probably heard before.

“I have to remind myself ‘Just keep writing,’” she told The Panther, “because I think sometimes we get so tired, or ‘Just keep doing’... I look back at things I wrote 10 years ago and I wanna rewrite them because now I feel like I’m a whole different person, but there was something still there. You never know what your next idea will be or what thing will come next…” 

Production wasn’t without its challenges — power outages, unready locations and exploding transformers occasionally plagued the making of the film — but the cast and crew kept the work on track. 

“This movie especially, it’s like everyone really banded together,” Wangberg told The Panther. “We had so many obstacles, tight budget, tight schedule and everyone just rallied and brought their A-game. It was inspiring to watch.” 

Students can watch “On the Run” on Tubi.