ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
There is no rule book when it comes to dealing with death.

SYNOPSIS
THE EMPTY CHAIR series provides a view into the myriad ways people deal with the passing of a loved one. Usually, family and friends come together at the funeral, and soon after, return to their everyday routines. Those who have lost someone carry that grief for the rest of their lives. It’s never easy.

How do people deal with the passing of a loved one? It’s a hard question to answer, because it’s a topic people avoid. Yet, it’s one we all face. By exploring the ways people of all cultures grieve, THE EMPTY CHAIR, hopes to break through death’s taboo by walking into the vacancy that loved ones leave.

Each episode is designed to tell the story of one person’s passing and their legacy. The camera and crew take a journey into the stages of grief as they are welcomed into the lives of family and friends for an intimate view of the struggles and triumphs a few years after the passing of their loved one. Starting with a family and friends “dinner” we delve into their lives since their loss and remember the person whose chair at the table is now vacant.

The dinner is followed by one-on-one, intimate interviews with individuals closest to the deceased, getting deeper insights into their thoughts, emotions and perspectives. The final element of the episode culminates in an event or realization regarding the deceased’s life.

The series honors an individual’s legacy, and in the process shows viewers how others deal with the loss of a loved one. The goal, in the end, is to connect deeply with our viewers, to draw them into the story and to share insights. This, in turn, is what will lead to deeper conversations about grief.

PROJECT TYPE Documentary Short

DIRECTOR David Ortega, Shane Kelly
PRODUCER Summer Finley Kelly, Fueld Films and Elizabeth Reed, McKee Wallwork + Co.

WEBSITE theemptychairdocumentary.com