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Production Office

Written and directed by Deborah Marks and Steve Solomos

Starring Shauna MacDonald, Brandon McGibbon, Maury Chaykin and Tim Rozon

Classification: NA

two stars

‘Hurry up and wait” is the maxim on major production sets. Scenes and various tasks are broken down such that a first-time visitor might wonder why dozens of headset-wearing, gear-laden people seem to be standing around most of the time.

The real behind-the-scenes action – complete with foul language, sexual intrigue, temper tantrums and even violence – happens in the production office. At least that's the revelation in Production Office , a fast-paced Canadian comedy starring Shauna MacDonald (formerly CBC Radio's Promo Girl) as Jane, a brassy production co-ordinator who delivers most of the film's swearing and violence (primarily against her phone).

In the production office, the maxim is “whatever happens below the line, stays below the line.” The spin on the familiar Vegas phrase refers to minions solving nightmarish problems so the “above the line” folks (director, producer etc.) think everything is running smoothly. Unfortunately, Jane is in for a bumpy night.

She's about to leave the late shift to second-in-command Justy (Brandon McGibbon) when a string of crises keep her office-bound. As the night unfolds, she analyzes crew gossip and has fake light-sabre duels with Justy, as they put out fires and keep the Big Enchilada (the producer, played by Maury Chaykin) at bay.

There's lots of naughty fun in Production Office , and the behind-the-scenes banter certainly rings true. But the premise that Jane is so hard-wired to her career that she stands up her daughter for a movie date feels forced. Ever heard of a little device called a mobile phone?

Production Office runs tonight to April 28 at The Royal in Toronto.

Special to The Globe and Mail