Staff Choose First Premiere "Dekalb Elementary" by Reed Van Dyck |
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The story is based on a 911 phone call that made national news in 2013. The Staff Pick premiere this week is "Dekalb Elementary,"" an Oscar-nominated, short film by Reed Van Dyck.
Films that are shot in one room can't make much more sense than this. In just twenty minutes Van Dyck puts forth an impressive feat in environment and pace. The suspense is built on an unsettling sense of solitude and an unmistakable impression of the threat as a dubious one. "I tried to investigate what we do not know," says Van Dyck. "Whether it's blocking the actor's face or leaving a mess of children running [andscreaming that is heard, but is not seen. I was thinking about how you, as the viewer can create more interesting pictures in your mind than I could ever present before you." This play on space ultimately creates every minute better than the one before it.
The incredible performances by the lead actors Tarra Riggs as well as Bo Mitchell, it's no surprise Van Dyck said he wouldn't be able to complete the project without right actors. It's a true testimony to the cast, crew and the care given to the craft of storytelling filmmaking "Dekalb Elementary" feels like a non-fiction account of an actual situation.
We spoke with director Reed Van Dyck to talk about his inspiration, challenges, and the control of the process.
What was your motive for creating the film?
"'DeKalb" tells a retelling of a 911 call that made news in 2013. The caller can hear Antoinette Tuff talking with an unknown young man named Michael Hill, who walks through the school. Michael Hill is armed with an Atlanta primary school with an AK-47 along with fifty rounds. I had not heard of the call when the story was first reported, but I came across the information years later when I was researching for another project in progress regarding the mass shooting. I was sitting in my living room located in Los Angeles riveted and emotional when I was listening to the fourteen-minute recording unfold. For weeks I couldn't remove their voices from my mind. The power of her affection and compassion along with his despair and confusion. The story touched me from an emotionally powerful angle and I began to think about how I could capture their moments in the world of film. "
Have you encountered some difficulties when creating the video?
"The film is essentially an action film using two hands. One of the main challenges was finding the right actors to play the characters. My decision was to create the movie without an appropriate actors. I spent months looking through IMDb as well as examining casting lists from indie television movies, series and other television series. If I came across an actor who was a perfect match for any of the actors I would add their name on the list. After the list had grown to about 30-40 individuals, I'd begin looking over all of the actors in it as well as watching their prior work (TV performances, films or films, etc.) before reducing it.
Then I'd start the whole procedure over. This is how I came across Tarra Riggs, as well as Bo Mitchell who play the main parts. I picked every actor from the film including the roles that support them, using this similar procedure. It was my opinion that one false note by anyone could pull away from the truth of the circumstances, and therefore I sought the best actors that I could find for each part. . "
It's hard to create an exciting tone in a situation something as crucial as this. What strategies did you discover to work for you when setting this up?
"My north star in creating this film was the 911 phone call. When I started to think about the best way to present the film visually and aurally I realized that less is more. The film has so much of an emotional reaction to the call it is almost an audio playwith just two voices. At the end of the day, when I made the film I decided to study the aspects we're not able to see... regardless of whether it's the actor's face blocked or the chaos of children [and] screaming off-screen and not being heard.
What I felt was that you, as the viewer will create interesting images in your head that I could present to you. Furthermore, by providing more information visually and within an narrative, it's likely that viewers will become more engaged with the filmand increase their personal involvement in the experience. That was the goal to some extent . "
The movie has amazing control, making it seem like it was shot within a single day. How did the timeframe of the production appear like?
"The script has 20 pages long and we needed to shoot for five days. I worked to make the daily pages count as minimal as I could due to the reasons you mentioned. The longer my team and I spent in production the more careful and thoughtful we were with regard to blocking of shots performance, costumes, and even production designs. For me, more time equals greater control. This includes the long, preparation process . "
What's your favorite trick for filmmakers who want to make films?
"This isn't really a piece of advice, but I grew up in a tiny town in New Jersey called Mahwah. My home on is unceded Lunaape Tribal land. I've studied on the Lunaape extensively in preparation for the documentary that I'm working on and one of the things that struck me and moved me was the way they viewed the stories. Stories were considered to be an effective healer for all members of the population. The Storyteller was an important character who traveled across tribes and shared stories to teach individuals what they must be able to do in order to live. Stories form a significant aspect of how these communities and their individuals developed and changed over time.
Personally, that's why I watch films. When I am in a time of uncertainty, such as the present, I look for movies and filmmakers who are who are honest and transparent about their environment and their own. I am looking for stories that will inspire me to keep on waking. Thus my (selfish) wish or dream for future filmmakers is to see them begin this task -- the journey of looking into their world as well as recording what they discover. . "
What's next? Are there any exciting new projects that are in the works?
"I'm working on two feature projects right now. The first is an original script of mine. My production team and I are reaching out to actors on that. Another one is based on a New Yorker piece and we're close to securing rights, releases and other agreements. . "
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