Barely Living The Dream
Made in 16 Days: How Chris Hartwell Pulled Off Do No Harm With Harry Shum Jr.
In this episode of Barely Living The Dream, filmmaker Chris Hartwell takes us behind the scenes of his first feature film, Do No Harm—a deeply personal project inspired by years of stories from his wife, a home health nurse, and his father, a doctor. Chris reveals how an eight-year journey turned into a 16-day feature film shoot in and around Houston, how he landed Harry Shum Jr. in the lead, and how Ronny Chieng joined the production on an incredible last-minute schedule. We also dive into: • The real-life healthcare experiences that inspired Do No Harm • How Chris and his team attracted major talent with a proof-of-concept film • The unbelievable story of getting Ronny Chieng into the movie with barely 48 hours to spare • Shooting a feature on Canon C70 cameras—and why knowing your camera matters more than having the most expensive gear • How a tiny indie crew created complex camera moves and lighting effects using DIY solutions • Why the film deliberately shifts between a documentary-like visual style and heightened, expressionistic imagery • The creative decision to have characters look directly into the camera during phone conversations • What Chris learned from watching dailies and listening to audience feedback • The long road from development and financing to Cannes, film festivals, and self-distribution • Why Do No Harm is ultimately about seeing both patients and healthcare workers as human beings who need compassion and care. Do No Harm went on to screen at Cannes, the Austin Film Festival, and other festivals before the team began pursuing a more direct distribution strategy. If you're a filmmaker, aspiring director, healthcare professional, or simply interested in how an ambitious independent feature gets made with limited resources, this conversation offers a fascinating look at what it takes to get a movie from an idea to the screen. For more information visit: https://donoharm-movie.com #DoNoHarm #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #HarryShumJr #RonnyChieng #IndependentFilm #FilmDirector #BehindTheScenes #HoustonFilmmaking #FilmProduction
