Interview with Lawyer/Producer Shannon Harvey-Fung, Esq. (LEGAL FOX Web Series)

LEGAL FOX played to rave reviews at the June 2018 Web Series Festival in Toronto. It was also the winner of BEST MUSIC at the festival.

Check out award-winning Legal Fox TV™
http://youtube.com/c/LegalFoxTV

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this web series?

Shannon Harvey-Fung: As a ‘logical lawyer’ – an arguably un-creative path – I wanted to combine my legal knowledge with something fun (and also tend to a gnawing creative spark.) Doing this in my provocative fashion was unconventional. Therefore, I initially had some hesitations. Then I remembered the words of my mother, who died young and unexpectedly, encouraging me to always do what’s in my heart and not be overly concerned about everyone’s perception. Armed with that wisdom I began to take proactive steps to ‘just do it’ and put out the first rendition of Legal Fox TV™

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make your first season?

About 18 months. I mulled over the idea for a while and first made very amateur web cam videos with just the law instruction/ narration portion. I then clicked with a professional Director /Producer that helped ‘give birth ‘ to the creative baby. After that I did several episodes spaced a few months apart each.

3. How would you describe your show in two words!?

Informative and provocative (provocative – both aesthetically and intellectually 😉

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing the episodes?

Getting caught up in seemingly minor details. As an attorney it is second nature to over-analyze. I tried not to do that with the ‘scripts’ or production of the videos. Nonetheless, the habit creeps in. When it did I would remember a ‘soothing’ statement by Voltair … “Perfect is the enemy of Good.” At a certain stage you simply have to know when it’s ready to go, despite the fact that there could always be one more tweak here or there.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Overall, pleasantly surprised. Even the initial comment was very poignant and addressed something that we can only hope all viewers can be evolved enough to realize ( i.e. to not ‘judge a book by its cover.’) As the comments progressed they had a similar theme.

My jaw did drop upon hearing it the final comment, loosely comparing the ‘host’ to Stormy Daniels – quite hilarious.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the Short Film:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this?

In my career I sometimes came across legal cases that appeared too crazy to be real. Also, I had an innate tendency to somehow make law witty and “sassy” (at least as was told to me by others. ha.) I very much enjoyed that aspect and began to make fun videos for selected friends and peers explaining otherwise mundane topics in an amusing way. Editors and a variety of other folks far more technically talented than me helped set the legal information to interesting visuals.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Legally Blonde. ha! So thrilled they’re coming out with #3.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I’m very happy that something like FilmFreeway exists. It’s a great aggregation tool and it’s very well organized.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

“Everything’s gonna be all alright” by Bob Marley. Brilliantly simple.

10. What is next for you? More episodes? Another series?

Definitely more episodes. The last episode of Season 2 is coming out next month and the topic is a super practical one. Stay tuned! Season 3 will then follow. I am also looking to grow or gain exposure for the media persona I’ve developed (“Legal Fox” – related to but created independent of the web series) by appearing in other networks and platforms and also obtain a demo reel as a Host and /or progressive legal correspondent.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every single month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 3 times a month. Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com for more information and to submit your work to the festival.